I did this but faced enormous problems with transfer/recalling definitions/etc. what helped me improve several fold in approximately exponential value 1) Drill

I did this but faced enormous problems with transfer/recalling definitions/etc. what helped me improve several fold in approximately exponential value 1) Drill/spaced repetition basic definitions. The Cornell note taking method is convenient to do this while taking notes. 2) Keep a diary of thoughts, things you couldn't solve or did solve. Especially identifying problems, what works or doesn't, why something went wrong. Metacognitive thinking was really useful for transferring problems to solving new ones. 3) A study group involving a lot of us explaining to each other.