Some comments from AP Bio students the day after the AP Bio Exam 5/12/15 Q: What do you know now that you wish you’d known in September? What advice would you give to students this Fall? §Study and review every night…enjoy the material. §Study, study, study…you WILL fail if you do not study…I learned this the hard way….use your class notes, they are the best tools you have. §As early as possible, focus on learning to APPLY your knowledge as much as learning the content itself. §READ the unit before the teacher does it in class – this really helps! §The tests will get easier…not because they actually are easier, but you will get better at studying. §When you study, have NO distractions and make sure you focus. §You WILL NOT understand everything at first, but you will eventually.

§Even if you breezed through Middle School, you WILL have to study to do well in this course! And don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. §Use the reading guides like an open-ended practice test. If you are able to fill that out without help, you will get an A on the test. §Re-write your notes and read over them a TON. Try to understand the concepts before you memorize them. Take as much time out of everyday that you find free time to review the concepts. §READ THE BOOK…it helps A LOT. §Expect to be studying…this is not 8 th grade. §Make flashcards on quizlet…they help A LOT! §use the animations and the book to aid yourself in studying. §AP Biology is a great challenge, but if you don’t have the time to invest in the course, there is no shame in changing the level to honors.

§Know the power point slideshows IN and OUT and study every night…if you learn the packet in small bits, the tests will be doable. §Always study at LEAST 4 nights before the test…cramming will do nothing except stress you out. §Try all different study techniques over and over until you find what works for you. §NEVER underestimate tests…if I had pushed a little more, I could have done better at the beginning of the year. §STUDY! You never had to do this in Middle School, but here it is one of the MOST important thinks you must do. Knowing this and initiating it will help you in this course. §This class makes you feel like a genius! §The secret to getting good grades? Be inspired…inspired to learn and achieve success. If you are not, this class is going to be rough. §Never feel ready for a test…there is always more than can be studied and learned.

§Before, I NEVER studied for a science test, so when people told me to study, they REALLY meant it. §Try not see it as work needed to get a good grade. You will learn it better if you are ACTUALLY interested in it. HARD §I learned that to get the best results you can, you really have to work hard…and I mean HARD. §I wish I knew how to better manage my time in September. Balancing everything is very hard. For new students: be sure to learn how you work best as soon as possible §Always study little by little…even though it’s annoying… and study EVERY detail. §Stick with it….the first month or 2 are really hard and you need to figure out how to adjust. BUT...don’t EVER stay in a class if you’re not having fun or enjoying yourself in it. §Don’t just cram and memorize, it won’t help you understand the material which is what you need to do for the tests.

Q: What will you take from this experience? §Study skills, a can-do attitude, perseverance, a new look on the living things around me. §TIME MANAGEMENT!! §A better study tactic for future classes. I think biology is fascinating b/c it involves EVERYTHING around us. §Don’t get down on yourself after one bad grade. §A better appreciation for the world around me. §Understanding the material is important and a lot of hard work is required. §I learned that not everything in school (or life) comes easily.

§ I actually know how to study for tests now. § More confidence that I can handle future AP classes at ‘Stoga. § Enjoy the information. It’s not ALL about the grade….especially in this class. Learn how to appreciate your capacity for learning.