Study Tips

[Kahnai]

Hi everyone, so I'm taking this Japanese class right now, and I'm getting A's and B's on all my assignments and the tiny tests that we have. Though we have these Chapter tests which are a large percentage of our grade and I've failed every one of them. Which puts my overrall grade at about a D right now.

I study and study and somehow I can never do good on those tests, despite getting A's and B's on everything else.



So, any helpful study tips out there? I'm will to try different ideas!

 

[stm]

Well, I have no idea about Japanese.



Can you give us a bit more info? What specifically are your weak points in those big assignments, are you stressed when doing those assignments, etc.

 

[Kahnai]

I can never remember when to use which particle. I always end up messing up the writing of my kanji, because sometimes one little like can change a word. I always end up writing the sentence in the wrong orders and I get back my tests with all these pink marks all over it, and my teacher writing up in the corner:



Do you need help?



AHH!

It's sooo horrible.



I have GAD and OCD which gives me major test anxiety... so I already have that goin' against me...

 

[Cranos]

Can't really help you on the grammar part, that really just made sense to me.



For Kanji it always helped to know where it came from. Most of the time you have smaller Kanji with a meaning of their own inside the more complicated Kanji. For the rest we had a great teacher that would make up little stories that helped us remember. Also, make sure you follow the right order of writing them.



For the exam I made small cards with a Kanji on them and the pronounciation and meaning on the other side. It helped a lot to learn and recognise them.



All I can really say to you is keep studying. Japanese is a language that has no connection with English, so it's normal that you mess up the grammar in the beginning and it's certainly normal that you have trouble with Kanji. Heck, most japanese people forgot how to write them as soon as they finished school.

 

[Jazzy]

I always end up writing the sentence in the wrong orders and I get back my tests with all these pink marks all over it, and my teacher writing up in the corner:



Do you need help?

Have you ever asked the teacher for help? Seems like the teacher is willing to help you if you ask.

 

[Kahnai]

yea, I go to her office hours a lot, and she'll explain something to me and I'll understand when I leave, but by the time I walk back to my dorm I'm thinking, now what was that she said? and I don't remember it and the notes I took from what she said no longer make sense...



As for flash cards that's a normal study method for me, but it just isn't isn't working...

 

[Jazzy]

yea, I go to her office hours a lot, and she'll explain something to me and I'll understand when I leave, but by the time I walk back to my dorm I'm thinking, now what was that she said? and I don't remember it and the notes I took from what she said no longer make sense...

What if you bought a cheap tape recorder and taped what she was saying? This way you could play it back over and over until you understand it.

 

[Kahnai]

Hhmm...



I never thought of that...



Am I allowed to do that? It might seem strange thought wouldn't it.



Excuse me, sensei can I tape record you instructing me?



... I don't know... I guess it can't hurt to try...

 

[Jazzy]

Hhmm...



I never thought of that...



Am I allowed to do that? It might seem strange thought wouldn't it.



Excuse me, sensei can I tape record you instructing me?



... I don't know... I guess it can't hurt to try...

I have taken several classes where we were allowed to tape record the session. It sure wouldn't hurt to ask your teacher for permission. Just explain to the teacher what you have explained to us and I doubt very much the teacher would have any objections. You have nothing to lose by asking, right?

 

[Kasynlie]

Use lots of colors. Highlight important things to remember in red. Scientists have shown that red is most memorable.

 

[Jazzy]

Hhmm...



I never thought of that...



Am I allowed to do that? It might seem strange thought wouldn't it.



Excuse me, sensei can I tape record you instructing me?



... I don't know... I guess it can't hurt to try...

Just wondering if you have asked.

 

[Jonathan]

How do you practice your Kanji? When I was in a Mandarin kindergarten, we used to have a special (square, mathematics or whatever you call it) notebook to practice writing Chinese characters. Pretty sure if you have a notebook for that you'll stop messing up your Kanji.



You'll just have to get used to the different grammar rules in Japanese. Very different from English.



All the best

Pretty sure you're allowed to audio record your lectures but just ask your instructor about it before you do it.