How to study biology and 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 1 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”?

2 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

3 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

Concept Maps Make a list of the concepts from lecture Rank the concepts from most general  specific Start at center of top page with most general. Below, second most general Circle concepts & link with solid line Label with linking phrase Work way down page getting more specific as you move down the page Add examples (details) 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.

Make regular stops by professor’s office Be prepared for class 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 Take notes by hand – helps in ‘active’ learning If a class is missed copy notes from fellow classmate (who you choose is key) USE YOUR TEXTBOOK –NOVEL HUH! Form a study group (see # 2) Teach the material to fellow classmates Set goals – My goal in Genetics & Cell Biology was to make a “C”