Help with studying with more purpose

I started this course 6 months ago and am about halfway through. Lots of things along the way such as injury, surgery, family, work etc… Looking for tips and tricks on how to memorize the info and study with more intention. How did you all manage life and self education?

Hard to help you manage your life through an internet connection but from an education standpoint, getting hands-on experience along with studying is probably your best bet to help it sink in. If you can’t get into houses, even walking through Home Depot, etc. and looking at the materials is a good exercise. I used to take all my inspectors through there a few times during training and they always got a lot out of it. You should be able to walk up and down every aisle and know what everything is… I know it sounds like a lot but it’s really not all that hard. Take fasteners for example - you should have a good idea of each different type and what they are used for. Flashings you should be able to walk down that aisle and know what the different types are used for, Siding, plywood, OSB, framing materials. Basically, go through and visualize building a house based on what is on the shelves.

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More important than memorizing everything is learning where to find the information for the items that you don’t. That really goes for anything in life.

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This is actually great advice, thank you.

First off, welcome Joshua!

One thing I do when when taking any course is to save the course format to a PDF file in case I need to revisit it for reference. If you did, it’s a great resource to lean back on. Also, dedicate at least 1 hour a day to refresh or study new. If you can do more, the better it will help you. Get the interNACHI flash cards for the courses you have taken and utilize them when you can. Hope this helps and good luck going forward!

best advice youll get as it relates to study habits…
study in blocks of 20-30 minutes only. the frequent breaks will vastly improve retention and reduce study stress. cramming never works. also…discipline yourself to study at least some every day. dont ignore lessons for a day becuse days grow to weeks to months. think of your studies as your job, because thats what it is. your new career relies on your discipline and tenacity. you can do it. dont get discouraged

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The motivation is passion and financial desperation.

The conflicting forces of business and family are difficult to manage. Each requires a conflicting sacrifice. Business puts the food on the table and a roof over your family’s heads. Family is the life blood of living. Difficult choices and sacrifices…

How passionate and desperate are you? Are you meant to be in business for yourself?

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I found that if it’s something you’re having a hard time with, try to plan a late night read. Go to bed with that being the last thing on your mind.
:cowboy_hat_face:

The best method to stay on course is to be truly interested in the material. If you find yourself getting bored and struggling to get through courses, it may be a sign. :man_shrugging:

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Slow down. Learning this information is a journey, not a race. I am still on the journey.

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Exactly… with the key word being Learning, which IMO translates to UNDERSTANDING the WHYs and HOWs of the purpose, function and operation of the individual components of a structure.
Simply “memorizing” what a course tells you so you can ‘PASS’ an exam, without said understanding, is a ‘road to failure’!

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A race is a “journey” around the track! :wink:

I believe the metaphor you were looking for is, “. . .a journey not a destination.”

Take your time. Memorizing is a good start. Many times true understanding doesn’t happen till you get some “Hands on.” Then it all falls into place.