>>24803226 (OP)
Studying and practice are just repetition. Learn new thing, repeat until it sticks, learn next new thing repeat until it sticks, repeat old thing to make sure it's still in there, if not, repeat old and new thing until they both stick, otherwise learn third new thing, etc.
There's two main keys to my study method:
Key one is to break up the subject into bite size chunks to ingest. You're not learning how to play an instrument or even how to play a song, you're learning a chord. You're not memorizing a book or a chapter, you're memorizing the answer to one particular question. Small bite, chew, swallow, that's how you eat an elephant.
Key two is to set aside enough time to get plenty of reps in but not so much time you get burnt out. Over the years, I've found that this split works best for me:
>45 minutes of repetition
>15 minute break
And then I repeat this time block up to two more times as necessary/time permitting. I've found that 45 minutes gives me adequate focused study time to get into a groove without becoming tired or frustrated and 15 minutes is a satisfying break length that makes me feel recharged. Since each time block is an hour long, it also makes it really easy to adapt to the amount of free time I have. Busy days l'll do one 45/15 block and on days with more free time, I'll do two or three. Never more than three, though, to prevent burnout. I never cram. Daily repetition for 1-3 hours beats cramming every time.
