What is the purpose of studying?

When we study, we affirm what we know so we can build on it through what is called review. We often start a class with a bit of review to insure we're up to speed and ready to go on the new material. We also study to review what we've just picked up in class to improve our understanding of that material. Say we've just left our chemistry lecture class and we have a break for a couple of hours. It might be most helpful to spend a few minutes reading the text and reviewing the notes we took while we munch out to insure we are clear on this new material. If we are reading ahead of an assignment, we're going over new material. Using what we know, we're applying our ideas to the new material to see what's up and build on what we already have a handle on. Without study, we can almost count on failing to master the material we're learning so we can build on it later in the semester or in the academic year. The path to a diploma or degree is paved with applications of brainpower. We study to build knowledge and understanding. When we demonstrate mastery, we graduate and then go forth to applywhat we've learned. Which is the general idea behind matriculation.