Study Icon of the Week: Nam Ha Neul (Doctors Slump)

 If you have not watched this K-drama I would def recommend it (although it has some clothing inaccuracies based on the year).

Nam Ha Neul is a female high-schooler that demonstrates grit and all round commitment to her academics. No matter what her goals are, she is generally able to reach them.

Ignoring the later parts of her life where she burns out due to her entire commitments to studying, we can gush about how amazing she was in high school lolll.

Study methods 

Ha Neul is often seen with a paper and pen/pencil in her hand, this suggests that most of her time is spent on numerical and STEM based subjects. Additionally, she is heavily routine dependent; from her clothes to her meals everything is planned. It is said (and possibly exaggerated) that she studies about 13-17 hours a day (assuming that includes the studying she does in class).  A few study methods she uses include:

• Active recall: mock/practice tests, flashcards, reading notes out loud 
• Spaced Repetition: Learning material over periods of time 
• Interleaving:  Switching back and forth between subjects (personally I love this one)

Mindset

Generally, she sacrifices everything to study: meal times, family time, etc. Overall she views others simply as noise. She sets extremely high expectations for herself to push her to reach her goals. Although she worked incredibly hard, things did not generally go her way.

Cons

Overall her study methods are good but her inability to allow her self a break that is longer than a sip of water or a stretch is what caused her burnout. Thankfully after years, she came to realize how extreme and hard she was on herself.

If you want to be like her...

If you can't tell already, I look up to her a lot... SO if you want to be like her, heres what you can do 

• Buy workbooks and textbooks related to your subjects 
• Study 7-12 hours a day (OR MORE)
• Carry around flashcards and notepads filled with definitions 
• For STEM classes do homework, then practice questions, then practice tests
• Prioritize excellence and discipline 
• Study late at night and early in the morning 

More extreme ways... (THIS IS A JOKE)

• Devote your life to studying 
• Wear your uniform like hers 
• Avoid making friends to keep studying
• Avoid family events to study 
• Study 12-17hrs a day 
• Do not take breaks 
• Skip meals to study

If you really try hard, you can achieve this but be careful that you won't burn out!! 

Happy Studying!!