Studying will eventually be used for productive application - directed or not. So for every idea, why not begin with the possibility of producing the knowledge / understanding afresh, in your words and ideas.
Method
Phase I:
- First pass - survey images, highlight text and raise questions.
- Second pass - Read and study in detail answering questions from the first pass. Point here is to take detailed personally integrated notes. In doing this, question till it’s personally meaningful (relates to something you know) and you can put it in your words. To help, remember you’re actually teaching yourself the material.
Phase II:
To be done within the first 24 hours of studying the idea and at increasing intervals afterwards.
- Memory
- Timed blurt of all I remember, listed out.
- Did I miss or confuse any of them? Reference personal notes here.
- Identify the inaccurate ones explicitly and reexplain them till they are clear.
- Create mnemonics for facts and memorization, use interacting images you know.
- Test
- Come up with sample questions based on the ideas for the specific applications I am interested in?
- Grade
Review accuracy, precision and speed in 2 to understand what was good / bad but not great. How could I make it better? Use the clearly important ideas and applications to guide effort, plan immediately for action with explicit fixes.
- Repeat Phase II.
Meta
- Take breaks to recharge immediately you get zoned out.
- Have a study area.
References: