~How to Choose the Ideal Study Material~【Taiga's Foolproof Study Method】

Hello!! Good work today.
I'm Taiga, and I have every volume of One Piece at home.

Self-Introduction

Starting from this post, I will write about how to actually proceed with your studies using the concept from last time: 'Studying is like a jigsaw puzzle'.

Previous Article

When I actually started studying using this method, it became incredibly fun (≧∀≦)ノ
It really feels like the world has changed.

Even if you feel like you're being tricked, it's free, so please give it a try. If you don't understand the detailed method or have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments.

To begin with, what is a reference book?

I get the impression that quite a lot of people buy them without knowing what kind of things reference books are (I didn't know either and just bought them randomly).

To put it in a way that might be quite misleading,
Reference book ≒ Dictionary

A reference book is simply something that covers the content of the exam scope comprehensively.

Reference books are not written for the person who is studying. Their main purpose is for people who already have knowledge to use them as a substitute for a dictionary.
Reference books are not written for beginners to study from.

So, getting all fired up to study after buying a reference book is like holding a Kōjien (large Japanese dictionary) and saying, 'I'm going to study Japanese.' It's not impossible, but it's tough, isn't it?

Of course, I'm not saying you shouldn't buy reference books, so please don't misunderstand.

Things that are written with the person studying in mind are generally labeled as textbooks.

How to choose a textbook

First of all, this is relatively important. If you make the wrong choice and pick a dud, your motivation gauge will drop to zero in an instant, and you'll be on the fast track to giving up after three days (based on personal experience).

I think it is desirable for the textbooks you choose here to meet the following key points.

1. The exam scope, etc., is almost entirely covered.
※ It's okay if you think, 'This is difficult!' when you read it for the first time.

2. Headings are clearly divided by chapter.
※ This is quite important.

As for the first reason, it depends entirely on the person's personality, but those who are lazy, get bored easily, or lack time should avoid it.

The reason is that after studying with a text that is easy to understand, you will eventually need to buy another, more detailed text. (Based on personal experience)

You think, 'Alright, I'm done!' and then when you solve the practice problems, you often find yourself thinking,
'Huh? Was this written in there? I don't know this.' And then you end up buying another text or reference book to study the supplementary information.
At this point, I would definitely lose my motivation.

2. Clearly divided into headings for each chapter
As I mentioned in 'Studying is like a jigsaw puzzle,' this is very important for gaining a systematic, overall understanding.

In any case, it is important to grasp the big picture first when studying. However, if you have zero knowledge, you won't even know what to use as a foothold.
That is when headings act as navigation.

Therefore, if you flip through a book at the store and check the headings, and you find yourself thinking, 'Hmm?', you should avoid it. It is not written systematically, so you won't be able to understand it even if you buy it.

For example, in an IT Passport textbook,

Example of a not-so-good heading:
Section 1: About RSA encryption
Section 2: About wireless LAN encryption
Section 3: What is digital signature

If you are suddenly told about RSA encryption, you'll just think, 'What on earth is that?', right?

Example of a good heading:
Section 1: What is a network
Section 2: What is encryption
Section 3: What is RSA encryption
Section 4: What is wireless LAN

However, you will realize that it is quite difficult to find the ideal textbook.

This is not because the author is bad, but because authors are human too, and they just write in the order that is easiest for them to understand.

That is why everyone struggles. Everyone is searching around for study materials that teach in an order close to their own ideal.

I apologize m(_ _)m
It has become quite long, so I will stop here for now.

Summary of how to choose a textbook

・Choose one that covers the content comprehensively
・Choose one that is systematically divided into headings

Content planned for the next post

・How to actually proceed with studying