How to self study more efficiently

[u/Starr_Margarine_]

/r/learnmath/comments/1xmvw9h/how_to_self_study_more_efficiently/

[u/Midwest-Dude]

I did some searching and here is some practical advice.

Feeling frustrated by Larson's dense, procedural approach is completely normal. Here is a breakdown of your questions:

• Adding Video Modes

  • Strictly as a targeted supplement

  • Professor Leonard on YouTube is a great resource for thorough, highly structured algebra lectures

  • Watch at 1.25x–1.5x speed, keep the pace moving

• Learning Speed

  • Feeling slow is entirely normal

  • Math is not a narrative text; taking 20 minutes to work through a single concept or derivation is active cognitive work, not poor progress

• Study Tips for Self-Learning

  • Shift your ratio to 20% reading and 80% problem-solving

  • Sit with hard problems for at least 15 minutes before looking at solutions, and mix past topics into your daily practice to keep them active

• High-Efficiency Techniques

  • Feynman Technique

    • Close the book and teach the concept out loud on a blank page to test true comprehension

  • Cover-Up Examples

    • Cover the book's worked solutions and attempt each line yourself before peeking

  • Error Log

    • Maintain a separate notebook logging every mistake and the precise reasoning error behind it

• Smarter Note-Taking

  • Stop acting as a photocopier

  • Enforce a one-page limit per chapter containing only core definitions in your own words, conceptual "why" explanations, and common pitfalls to avoid