How to study biologyand SUCCEED

28 August 2012

Modified from Texas Tech University

Quality vs Quantity

• Two levels of investment– In the classroom– Preparing for lectures (reading, upgrading

notes etc.)

• Many become discouraged when time investment ≠ expected output (grade expected)– LOW-QUALITY WORK when you do study

Examples of low-quality work

• Reading the textbook just to get the reading assignment out of the way– Reading should be done with a critical eye– “If I had to teach this to someone, could I”?– “What if this process were screwed up

somehow”?– “What questions could I ask DR ? about

this”?

1

• Going over & over your notes– Assumes you will be tested in a low-quality

fashion– Relies on “Recall & Repeat (regurgitate)”

• In college you are asked to INTEGRATE concepts from different lectures– High-Quality work requires this preparation

2

• Coming to class and just taking notes– Many go on auto-pilot when they take notes– Become passive sponges

• Attendance can also be high-quality or low-quality

3

Concept Maps

1. Make a list of the concepts from lecture2. Rank the concepts from most general specific3. Start at center of top page with most general.

Below, second most general4. Circle concepts & link with solid line5. Label with linking phrase6. Work way down page getting more specific as

you move down the page7. Add examples (details)8. Revise a second version

Most helpful maps

• 50 minute lecture typically contains 20 concepts. Think NOUNS!

• Each concept should only appear once– Redundancy indicates you missed a concept.

• Attend ALL Lectures• Make regular stops by professor’s office• Be prepared for class

– Coming in late disrupts your learning (10 min early is good)

• Ask questions in lecture• Examine and take time to understand figures in text

book• Don’t be a hermit

– Study alone then meet up with a group• Concentrate on the concepts – not minutiae• Budget your time wisely

Time management

• Make a master schedule• Write everything down• Consolidate info into your date book, ipad etc.• Structure out-of-class time wisely• Use small bits of time wisely

– Know what you can do with given allotments of time• Diagnose your procrastination• Build rewards into your schedule• Take “YOU” time

– Exercise, have fun (moderation), relationships (moderation), and sleep

American Scientist Strategies

1. Take notes by hand – helps in ‘active’ learning

2. If a class is missed copy notes from fellow classmate (who you choose is key)

3. USE YOUR TEXTBOOK –NOVEL HUH!4. Form a study group (see # 2)5. Teach the material to fellow classmates6. Set goals – My goal in Genetics & Cell

Biology was to make a “C”