studying tips?

[zspartan11]

I just started e-funds at NFAS and determined to do better in this course than BE (I finished BE with a GPA just below 3.0). Is there any studying tips you guys can give me that may better prepare me for the tests (such as how to review my notes, etc)?

[HydroDave63]

What part of BE gave you trouble?

[zspartan11]

What part of BE gave you trouble?

I never had trouble remembering equations and doing math (got a 3.48 in mathematics); I did very well there. My real trouble is remembering concepts and definitions. So it seems like I need help in regards to reinforcement of memory when studying things such as power filter operation; etc.

[HydroDave63]

I never had trouble remembering equations and doing math (got a 3.48 in mathematics); I did very well there. My real trouble is remembering concepts and definitions. So it seems like I need help in regards to reinforcement of memory when studying things such as power filter operation; etc.

Then you will want to find whatever staff or classmates can tutor....plus eBay and Amazon have tons of reference books on electronic theory, circuit design, etc. for fairly cheap. Time is the critical commodity in the pipeline, define what you need and go after it! good luck!

[Samabby]

I got a well deserved D in high school Psychics, so I bring nothing to the party, except this:

" determined to do better "

This is a great approach. Dig in & good luck, son.

[dea]

Agree with HydroDave.
Problem is we all learn differently.
As far as definitions go, brute memorization is usually what it takes, I worked with a guy who every day would write out the definitions he had to learn, seemed to work. Concepts were a struggle since I need to see things actually happen to understand them sounds like you learn in a similar way. Unfortunately that is a difficulty the way the Navy teaches theory first and then hands later rather than having you study a concept and then apply it. Guess what I'm saying is try to find some way to observe how a concept is applied to help you understand it. That and 16 hour days is what worked for me.

[DLGN25]

What worked for me while in the program and later in life (accounting concepts and the law), was to select the topic I was having difficulty with, then write a short essay using the terms and definitions to explain the concept.  To write it out, you have to think.  Approach the exercise as if you were explaining it to another.  The process of putting it all down in two or three pages worked for me and others who recommended the technique.

It may take you a few tries until you get it right, but in the end, you will have mastered it. 

[NuclearWaste]

I would have to agree with the reply above this one.  What I found most helpful, was sitting down and explaining it to myself.  I made diagrams and detailed summaries of the topics.  This is also known as mapping out your brain, which in most situations is the best.

Remember:  2-5 stay alive.

[HalfHazzard]

Remember:  2-5 stay alive.

So you're a Plebe at the Academy?  When service assignment comes up, please stay away from the submarine force.

[Nuclear NASCAR]

Do I really need to post this again? 
4. Please learn to be respectful, tolerate and support each other.  NukeWorker.com's goal is to help others, not see how many people we can annoy. Do not initiate arguments or tension. This will only cause the triggering of other members and make this site less professional.

[Lip2303]

Some things I did to improve from A school to Power school... I made sure I stayed awake, alert, and engaged in class every day. I also started to study in the quiet study instead of staying in the classroom (less noise and distraction). The staying awake in class really made a difference.

[HalfHazzard]

NuclearWaste and NuclearNASCAR,

I apologize for the disrespectful and less than professional response.

Let me clarify my point in a more tactful manner: 2.5 knowledge in school is passing, but I would argue far less than adequate for operators in the fleet.  Everyone should have the goal of striving to be the best they can.  For some that's 2.5, for most that's somewhere between 2.5 and 4.0.

"2.5 stay alive", for a boat that routinely submerges underwater and operates in unfriendly parts of the world is the wrong attitude to take to the fleet whether standing watch up forward or back aft.

Respectfully,
HH

[Nuclear NASCAR]

HalfHazzard, Thank You for that explanation. 

Peace my friend!

[dmcgn37]

What helped me through power school and now electrical engineering school is to write down the definitions so many time you don't have to think about it. I also spent many hours with the night duty instructors explaining things on a chalk board until I could do it. Was I the brightest? Heck no, I graduated 214 out of 216 people in my power school class. But after almost 20 years have gone by, I can still puke out the definition of brittle fracture and still know the resistor color code.

[DLGN25]

... But after almost 20 years have gone by, I can still puke out the definition of brittle fracture and still know the resistor color code.

Which on helps you remember the resistor code?

Was it "Bad boys... our "
Or "Batman... Robin on yonder Gotham ..."

Both still help me remember the color code of resistors and wires, but neither are hardly suited in the modern, sexually integrated navy.   

[spekkio]

So you're a Plebe at the Academy?  When service assignment comes up, please stay away from the submarine force.

If he's at USNA, he might not have a choice. I had quite a few mediocre academic performers in my power school class who had Submarines at the bottom of their URL job lists, and only because after you eliminate Marines and SEAL, then you're only left with 5-6 that you can possibly put down (they all failed, so hopefully the nuclear Navy has learned its lesson).

Let me clarify my point in a more tactful manner: 2.5 knowledge in school is passing, but I would argue far less than adequate for operators in the fleet.  Everyone should have the goal of striving to be the best they can.  For some that's 2.5, for most that's somewhere between 2.5 and 4.0.

I disagree. There are more topics I learned in Nuclear Power School that I never used in the fleet than topics that I did. Using double-triple substitution to solve reactor dynamics problems in the fleet? Not done. Solving solid-state cirtcuit diagrams to include drawing output waves? Not done. Calculating the heat flux received by the coolant given a certain amount of crud/corrosion? Not done.

It's always good for a laugh when you ask a nub how the control rods are arranged and they regurgitate the skewed-divergent bs he learned in power school. The poor guy probably spent a good hour or two memorizing that arrangement and its advantages, and we don't even use it in the fleet anymore.

I am thankful that the Navy thought it was worth their while to give me a strong fundamental theoretical foundation in nuclear power, but I can't say that I've used much of that knowledge to perform my duties. The most you do in the fleet is use the SUR equation or polo-shirt equation, maybe draw some graphs about how reactor power follows steam demand, and judging by ORSE reports that kicks everyone's ass for some reason. That's 0.01% of what I learned in power school. The principles behind operations can be learned by reading the front matter to the OPs and CPs and the italics corresponding to the steps.

Let's not forget ARPO, where you have to regurgitate how to operate an S5W plant, without having ever even seen one, and no S5W plants exist in the fleet. Yea, that's REAL representative of how a person will perform on an S6G/S8G/S9G sub or A4W carrier.

I have seen enough operationally smart but theoretically stupid (and vice-versa) nukes that I wouldn't dare make a statement that a 2.5 student couldn't survive in the fleet. If 2.5 weren't enough to be successful in the fleet, it wouldn't be the passing score at NNPS/NPTU.

/break

OP, everyone is different. One thing I learned for myself is that re-writing notes to attempt to memorize them was wasteful (and there simply wasn't enough time in power school to be inefficient like that). It was far more efficient for me to look at them and then try to repeat them in my head while looking away. Basically, quiz yourself over-and-over-and-over until you can 4.0 it.

Also, seek run-time. Just do it.

[song of the south]

Whenever I have to study for something major my best friend and I play a game. We randomly text each other questions. If a question is answered incorrectly or the person has to look up the answer they are required to do some form of exercise.It may seem crazy, but it works for me.

[VCSInstNuke]

I went through twice, once on the enlisted track, and once more on the officer side, and I found that the best way to learn for me was to teach it.

Now I realize that sounds ridiculous since you may not know it that well, so it is important to "teach" it to someone that is comfortable with it; i.e. a strong student or the NDI, to allow them to help you fill in the blanks.

But as has been said earlier, we all learn differently and the key is to figure out what works for you. Good luck!

[Rooteh]

Whenever I have to study for something major my best friend and I play a game. We randomly text each other questions. If a question is answered incorrectly or the person has to look up the answer they are required to do some form of exercise.It may seem crazy, but it works for me.

Do not text classified material, not even to someone that has the security clearance to read it.

[song of the south]

Point taken, I'm sorry.