Best way to study for science classes? And textbook question

[browneyes124]

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I got the course syllabus for my bio and Chem class. On it it says that the notes from the chapters will be provided at the beginning of class. usually the day before class I'll read the chapter that is being taught/ reviewed in class. Since I'll be given notes, should I outline while I read or just study the teachers notes?
Also the same teacher teaches my bio lecture and lab. On the bio lecture class schedule, she has when different labs are due. Does the mean that there will not be a seperate syllabus for the lab and all the same rules will apply? I've never taken a lab except for anatomy so is it just lab stuff for 3 hours or is it like classroom stuff and lab mixed in together?
Also since the notes will be given, do you think I can download an online version of the book because the teacher said it'll just be used as reference ? The textbook costs around $150-200 so I was hoping that an online version would be cheaper. It says that I have to have the access card with it. Is that still available if I download the book?

 

[Hospitalized]

Every student learns differently by studying differently, and every teacher runs every class differently. Your best bet is to find someone who has taken the class before.

 

[browneyes124]

Well the people I've talked to says she isn't the best teacher and she doesn't really teach. She got a 2 on ratemyprofessor.com Do you think it would be overkill If before class on Monday ( I have it on Tuesday and Thursday) Then when I go to class fill in stuff that I didn't have then go and type like a final copy?

 

[Hospitalized]

Well the people I've talked to says she isn't the best teacher and she doesn't really teach. She got a 2 on ratemyprofessor.com Do you think it would be overkill If before class on Monday ( I have it on Tuesday and Thursday) Then when I go to class fill in stuff that I didn't have then go and type like a final copy?

So what did they do to perform well in her class?

I've never done your mentioned method before and my GPA is pretty healthy, but like I said, everyone learns differently. If you think it will work for you, do it.

 

[browneyes124]

Well I've never talked to someone who's gotten a A in the class. They said she's one of the teachers who prides themselves on " no ones gotten an A in my class " my method usually works the first month but I'm very meticulous about my notes so they take at least an hour for me to write then to type takes more time so I'll either not have time or just get tired of it. How do you take notes?

 

[Hospitalized]

Well I've never talked to someone who's gotten a A in the class. They said she's one of the teachers who prides themselves on " no ones gotten an A in my class " my method usually works the first month but I'm very meticulous about my notes so they take at least an hour for me to write then to type takes more time so I'll either not have time or just get tired of it. How do you take notes?

Typically, I write what the professor does, and I underline/capitalize anything they verbalize twice. Depends on the class though.

 

[You're My Boy Blue]

Well I've never talked to someone who's gotten a A in the class. They said she's one of the teachers who prides themselves on " no ones gotten an A in my class " my method usually works the first month but I'm very meticulous about my notes so they take at least an hour for me to write then to type takes more time so I'll either not have time or just get tired of it. How do you take notes?

If this is true drop the class and switch to another prof. There should be multiple people teaching gen chem/bio. It's not worth hurting you gpa (and a pre-req) on some prof who has something to prove. My $0.02

 

[browneyes124]

If this is true drop the class and switch to another prof. There should be multiple people teaching gen chem/bio. It's not worth hurting you gpa (and a pre-req) on some prof who has something to prove. My $0.02

I tried but she's the only one that teaches bio 1110/1111. She has like 15 classes but I'm assuming most of them are TAs

 

[massivespectrometer]

Although I may be completely echoing what others have said, find out as much about the professor as possible and base it off of that. I rented the Orgo textbook for both semesters. With Orgo 1, the prof gave 1 review exam per exam and that was it. I used the textbook all the time for practice problems, chapter exams, etc. In Orgo 2, the professor gave 6 practice exams per exam and a problem set for every lecture. I didn't touch the textbook, making the rental a complete waste of money.

 

[Pusheen]

I hate it when they make you buy those stupid online access things. They're usually pretty useless.
All throughout undergrad I've either bought the previous edition textbook from amazon for $10-20, or an international/used copy for $50 or so. Worked out great for me,
If you aren't assigned any textbook problems and only use the textbook for reading, the previous edition works perfectly fine.

 

[browneyes124]

I hate it when they make you buy those stupid online access things. They're usually pretty useless.
All throughout undergrad I've either bought the previous edition textbook from amazon for $10-20, or an international/used copy for $50 or so. Worked out great for me,
If you aren't assigned any textbook problems and only use the textbook for reading, the previous edition works perfectly fine.

would it come with the access code?

 

[Pusheen]

would it come with the access code?

an international version might, I doubt a used book would. You'd have to check with the seller.

 

[leonardoson]

study the teacher's notes, she will most likely be testing off them. Read the chapters for different explanations of things. I had a fellow student question the teacher about a Dense Fibrous CT slide not being in the lab manual, the teacher replies, "It was in the powerpoints,"