Here are some ideas that may help you study for this class.
I). Supplies That You May Need
A). Three-Ring Binder
This makes it easier for you to copy all of your notes. In
addition, combined with a hole-punch it allows you to insert the
handouts with your notes. Organizing yourself is essential for you
to understand your material. You must keep track of all your notes,
handouts, papers, and labs. This can get overwhelming.
B). A Calendar & A Daily Planner
You are responsible for turning material in on time. Everyday
that an assignment is late the grade drops 10%. That can be the
difference between passing this course and having to repeat it.
C). Index Cards & Colored Pencils, or Markers
Coloring drawings helps you to see structures and relationships
better. Index cards are needed to memorize material.
II). Understanding the Layout of the Lecture
A). People Learn In Different Ways
The lecture is designed for different learning styles. One person
may have difficulty handling all of the formats. So do not expect to
be able to hear every word, write extremely detailed notes, and
analyze every word on the overheads.
B). I cover a lot of material on the overheads.
Most of the material on the overheads is from the book and the
lecture stays close to the overheads. DO NOT TRY TO COPY THE
LECTURE NOTES WORD FOR WORD. I write overheads in
complete sentences because it helps me to remember what I want to
say, and I think it keeps the lecture more organized.
C). You can ask me to repeat anything that you did not hear
I talk fast and I cover a great deal of material. I do not mind
repeating something. If you cannot hear because someone is talking
please tell me it is too loud where you sit. I will gladly throw the
talkers out of class. No one has the right to make this more
difficult for you than what it already is.
D). Ask Questions
If you do not understand something there is a good chance 95% of
the class does not understand it either. You can ask me to explain
specific material or you can ask me a direct question. I will
respond in one of several ways:
i). I will answer right away.
ii). Ask you to wait a minute because I was going to cover that
soon and I do not want to break the rhythm of the lecture.
iii). I will ask you a series of questions so that you can answer
your own question.
iv). or I may just tell you I do not know the answer.
E). My Lecture Is In Outline Format
I try to keep the outline straight but sometimes I fail. If you
are missing a letter or a number in a series tell me. One of us may
have skipped something.
F). The Lecture Covers A Lot Of Material
There is a great deal of material to cover, even so it is
impossible to cover everything I want to
G). Every Lecture Starts With A Small Review
It allows me to connect the old and new material together, and I
think it helps the students stay on track.
III). Taking Notes
A). Use Key Words
You will miss a lot if you try to right every word that I say and
that I put up on an overhead. Just because I write out complete
sentences does not mean that you need to.
III). Taking Notes
A). Use Key Words
You will miss a lot if you try to right every word that I say and
that I put up on an overhead. Just because I write out complete
sentences does not mean that you need to.
B). Use Short-Hand & Symbols
Arrows and & signs save you a lot of time. So do
abbreviations like CV for cardiovascular. Just make sure that you
write a key so that you do not forget what your symbols mean.
C). Draw Pictures & Make Flow Charts
I am not talking about artistic pictures but sometimes a drawing
will help you understand material better.
D). Label & Date All Notes
There is nothing more depressing that dropping a large number of
notes and not knowing how to reorganize them. This is a great time
saver.
E). Make a Note If You Are Lost
If you cannot ask a question make a question mark on your notes
and than bring it to me and I will clarify it.
F). Adequately Space Your Notes
Paper is cheap. Leave your self space to insert material. It is
very difficult to read pages that are crammed with notes.
G). Do Not Take Your Notes Exclusively In Your Textbook During
Lecture
This practice becomes chaotic during test time.
IV). Instructor Supported Study Assistance
A). Lecture Review
I may or may not review all of the material before a test. If I
do I will not wait patiently while you rewrite notes that you
already have. Class time reviews are only to serve for you to
highlight important points in notes that you should already have
organized.
B). Office Hours
People claim I live in my office. Come and visit.
C). Review Sheets & Study Guides
I give 2 types of review sheets. Study guides function to
summarize important material (ie. mitosis). I also supply review
sheets before tests. I do not feel obligated to supply these. Many
students assume that the questions on the review sheets are the
exact questions that are on the tests. That would be silly. The
review sheets are to give you a way to review the material. Each
question on the review sheet requires a detailed answer if you are
to apply that knowledge to the tests. Review sheet should not be
your exclusive tool for studying.
D). Flannel Board
Believe it or not the preschool teachers had it right. You can
learn a lot by arranging things on flannel boards. They are great
for genetics. Use them. Make your own
V). Tips For Studying
A). Rewrite your notes
This is not busy work. Rewriting your notes is probably the best
thing that you can do. This forces you to go through the material
again and reorganize it. You can also add additional book notes or
diagrams (consider Xeroxing some pictures) to your notes. There is
something about the physical processes of writing (as oppose to
blankly staring at) your notes that helps it get in to your memory
better. It also cleans up your notes so that they make more sense.
You should rewrite your notes as soon after lecture as you can.
B). Use Flash Cards
The best way to memorize terms and anatomy is by using note
cards. This works well when you have to memorize terms and dates.
C). Make Flow Charts
You cannot memorize all of the material. Sometimes you need to be
able to map out your path. You need to approach it differently. Flow
charts are the best way. You can even put the factors on
post-it-notes or on a flannel board. This way you can move things
around when you need to.
D) Review Often, Do Not Wait Until The Night Before The Test
I know you have a life and even though 16 weeks seems like
forever it is not. If you stop reviewing you will get behind in just
a couple of days. If you are cramming for the test the night before
you will not be successful in this class.
E). Reread Your Notes Before Each Class
This will keep you up to date.
F). Do Your Reading
You cannot read Biology book like a novel you will get lost right
away. Instead break the chapters up into little subunits and try
this approach.
i). Skim the chapter by reading the headings, and the captions
under the diagrams.
ii). Read the summary at the end of the chapter. This will help
direct you.
iii). Read each section. Take book notes before you highlight the
material. Note taking keeps you focused and most people tend to skim
over highlighted material.
iv). Do not read the entire chapter at once. You will daze out
and forget what you are reading. Learn one section and than move on.
G). Find a Quiet Corner To Do Your Studying
I know with kids, family, and significant others it seems
impossible. Make arrangements now with a friend or family member to
watch your kids several times a week. You can also plan on spending
sometime in the library before or after class.
H). Answer The Questions In The Back Of The Chapter
The questions in the back are a great way to begin your chapter
reviews.
I). Do Not Highlight Your Book
At least do not highlight the book on your first reading of
the material. Take notes on a piece of notebook paper instead.
You learn more by writing it down and you can connect material
that is separated by a couple of pages this way. In addition
people who highlight their books tend to just look over
highlighted material and they tend not to connect the material
together as well.
J). Get Your Kids Involved In Your Studying So The y Help
Instead of Hinder.
Try giving little kids a back pack and a science book that
they can highlight and they will help you study.
K). Find A Study Group
Some of the students are going into similar professions.
Start a study group that may last through your future classes.
Knowing that you are not the only one lost and confused is
reassuring. Older students with kids can get together for
weekends, and have one spouse or family member baby-sit the kids
while the group works. In addition, swap phone numbers so that
you can get notes or a ride if your car breaks.
L). Try To Apply This Material To Your Real Life or Future
Careers.
I give you both biological and non biological examples for a
reason. Apply your hobbies, art people should draw,
mechanical people should make models, etc.
M). Do Anything You Can To Visualize The Processes.
If you cannot see the systems and concepts in your minds eye
you do not understand it.
N). COME AND SEE ME:
I was a student once. I can help you. I gave you my number
for a reason. The people that come in and talk to me tend to do
much better. Do not wait until the week before finals coming in
for help.
Finally, do not panic. Most people that turn in all of there
work and do not miss class do better than they think they will.
