How To Memorize Anything

October midterms are coming up. Some say if you can't understand, just memorize. And to memorize, try the "stacking" method:

1. First, use a pencil or word processor (I prefer the latter because it’s faster) to type, in complete sentences, any fact you think might appear on the test. Use short sentences because they’re easier to remember. Take your printed notes into a quiet room, shut the door, and eliminate all distractions.

2. Look at the first sentence in your notes and read it out loud. Then, close your eyes and say the sentence without looking at it.

3. Repeat the step above, this time with the first 2 sentences.

4. Next, try it with 3 sentences. Then 4.

5. Repeat until you have memorized every sentence in your notes. [Retired at 21, via LifeHack]

The article also notes that completing the process twice (once more after taking a short nap) is also a good idea. Any other tips for memorizing?

Studying a Week in Advance

Cal over at StudyHacks recently posted a great article on the effectiveness of spreading out your studying. He recommends starting a week in advance, and if this is a possibility for you (around all your other social obligations, of course), we would agree.

Important to note in this method, however, is the fact that each "study session" lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours. In other words, you won't be spending all hours of the day studying for an entire week. Definitely not.

So get ready to organize your notes, write and revise a study guide, and hit that next exam out of the ballpark: Monday Master Class: Drizzle Test [Preparation] Over Many Days

University of Florida Student Tasered, Why?

University of Florida student Andrew Myer, 21, was tasered and arrested on Monday during a question and answer forum with U.S. Senator John Kerry.

After the microphone cut off during one of Myer's questions to Kerry, police attempted to remove and restrain the UF student when he became insistent that the senator answer his question.

Soon after, Myer was tasered.

In the video, students' voices are then heard screaming for the police to stop.

[via The Independent Florida Alligator, CollegeHumor]

See Also: Taser Use at UCLA

HackCollege Podcast Episode 3: Students 2.0

This week Chris and Kelly talk in front of the scenic (and overexposed) Rhine River during a Sunday festival. Kelly reflects back to the beginnings of HackCollege and gives a much-needed shout-out to Rosario. Stay tuned to the end for some footage of their recent beer mile.

Topics this week include:

• How HackCollege came to be


• HackCollege birthday!


• Students using Ubuntu


• Microsoft Office Student Deal


• Quicksilver

Sites this week:

• Google Docs


• Ubuntu


• IMDB


• 43folders.com


• 37signals


• beermile.com

Music this week:

• "Stadiums and Shrines II" by Sunset Rubdown
  
  

New York Times Gets Freer

Today, you can quit fussing with registration via a .edu email address, BugMeNot.com, and our other New York Times hacks. Now, nobody will get charged for viewing virtually anything, including archives.

For some Web-2.0-ish reasons, the Times justified their move:

What changed, The Times said, was that many more readers started coming to the site from search engines and links on other sites instead of coming directly to NYTimes.com. These indirect readers, unable to get access to articles behind the pay wall and less likely to pay subscription fees than the more loyal direct users, were seen as opportunities for more page views and increased advertising revenue.

HackCollege at Future of Web Apps Conference in London!

HackCollege is going to London for the Future of Web Apps Conference! Chris, Scott, and I will be flying over from Germany to listen in on some talks, meet up with like-minded students, and film an episode of the quickly-growing podcast.

If you're near London and a student, definitely check it out. The conference just announced that expo passes are free for students! So for our British readers or those studying abroad from the States, definitely check out FoWA.

And keep your eyes peeled for us! We'd love just chat and we're always looking for some eager coders. Let's just say we have a few projects we're looking on starting...

Email me and we'll meet up!

Unlock Your iPhone with Open Source iUnlock

Forget the tweezers or the soldering and get the software. Follow this link to Engadget.

The Guide to Becoming a More Productive Student

If you're the type who frequently checks HackCollege, then you might enjoy a moment of satire. But, guess what? You're the butt of the joke.

Check out my article in The Los Angeles Loyolan, which was referenced in the second episode of the HackCollege Podcast:

The Guide to Becoming a More Productive Student

It includes four of my favorite hacks -- which I've kept secret until now...