Bio test coming up..

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It's over chapters 1-5..

I'm reading the book ahead of the lecture, but it's sorta hard since you don't know anything and then wait till lecture for her to go over it so i dont see the point. People keep saying memorize, but like memorize what? every single word for each chapter? What do we need to memorize specifically? Like words/concepts or whatever

My professor talks fast..it's all from Powerpoint which comes from the book. Doesn't post any notes/reviews or anything what might be on the test. She even says the test will be hard.

The thing i want to know is, at least an example of what might be on the test, what kind of question.




Like what the hell do i need to know for the test, it's getting sorta annoying, I'm also taking chem but i find that a little easier.
 
I assume you are taking general biology I since you are going over chapters 1-5?
 
If it were me, I would make sure that I knew those first five chapters cold from the book. Do all the problems in the study guide and make up your own problems. Sometimes, I pretend that I'm the teacher. This seems to help orient my mind to how she/he might think. Also beware that some teachers test things that were gone over in lab on exams even if there is a separate lab practical. When I went through biology I, I also went over the sections covered with EK 1001 Biology. This seemed to help me a lot.

Are you still a DE student?
 
StudyShy said:
If it were me, I would make sure that I knew those first five chapters cold from the book. Do all the problems in the study guide and make up your own problems. Sometimes, I pretend that I'm the teacher. This seems to help orient my mind to how she/he might think. Also beware that some teachers test things that were gone over in lab on exams even if there is a separate lab practical. When I went through biology I, I also went over the sections covered with EK 1001 Biology. This seemed to help me a lot.

Are you still a DE student?
Click to expand...


what do you mean by DE student?
 
the powerpoints are likely your specific guide to what's going to be on the test. use the concepts/details from them to focus your energy when reading the text and doing practice problems.

bio is memorizing a lot of putrid details and there's really no way around it. consider it an early taste of med school holds (why hello, lengthy list of antibiotics :annoyed:)

edit: be sure though to understand the concepts backwards and forwards. they are far more important than the nitty gritty factoids. you'll thank yourself when it's coming MCAT time, too - because that's virtually all that exam is.
 
gravitywave said:
the powerpoints are likely your specific guide to what's going to be on the test. use the concepts/details from them to focus your energy when reading the text and doing practice problems.

bio is memorizing a lot of putrid details and there's really no way around it. consider it an early taste of med school holds (why hello, lengthy list of antibiotics :annoyed:)
Click to expand...

But the power points are straight from the book and as we get further the power points get even shorter..i really don't get it.

i mean what I've been doing is writing useless notes from the book but i don't even know what notes to take down, i don't want to copy the whole book in my notebook.
 
torshi said:
But the power points are straight from the book and as we get further the power points get even shorter..i really don't get it.

i mean what I've been doing is writing useless notes from the book but i don't even know what notes to take down, i don't want to copy the whole book in my notebook.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hate it when the teacher uses pp that come from the book. Most likely, the material will come from the pp's. If it seems like easy material, a lot of it is. Like, gravitywave said, just make sure that you understand the concepts. There are many ways that a teacher can twist around an idea.

The nice thing is, after this first test, you'll have a better understanding of what it expected.
 
StudyShy said:
Yeah, I hate it when the teacher uses pp that come from the book. Most likely, the material will come from the pp's. If it seems like easy material, a lot of it is. Like, gravitywave said, just make sure that you understand the concepts. There are many ways that a teacher can twist around an idea.

The nice thing is, after this first test, you'll have a better understanding of what it expected.
Click to expand...

Yea i want to take the first test so i can know what to expect for the next tests obviously. It's like that for every class. But, the thing is i don't want to bomb it ya know?

Screw it, I think i will try to get with some classmates and form a study group..
 
torshi said:
Yea i want to take the first test so i can know what to expect for the next tests obviously. It's like that for every class. But, the thing is i don't want to bomb it ya know?

Screw it, I think i will try to get with some classmates and form a study group..
Click to expand...


Then you'll really know that you will be fine. It's always a confidence booster when you get in a group and realize that you're probably way ahead of the game. 🙂

I'm pretty sure that you won't bomb it. 🙂
 
StudyShy said:
Then you'll really know that you will be fine. It's always a confidence booster when you get in a group and realize that you're probably way ahead of the game. 🙂

I'm pretty sure that you won't bomb it. 🙂
Click to expand...

Hopefully not 🙂

Yea, i think being in a group will help a lot, and to see how others are doing and are on the same page as me.
 
torshi said:
Hopefully not 🙂

Yea, i think being in a group will help a lot, and to see how others are doing and are on the same page as me.
Click to expand...

I think that you're going to be about five chapters ahead. It's a good thing. 🙂
 
If you're studying at all you're already ahead of most the students in a Bio1 class. Every teacher I've had that uses power points takes questions from them, whether they're in the book or not.
 
torshi said:
It's over chapters 1-5..

I'm reading the book ahead of the lecture, but it's sorta hard since you don't know anything and then wait till lecture for her to go over it so i dont see the point. People keep saying memorize, but like memorize what? every single word for each chapter? What do we need to memorize specifically? Like words/concepts or whatever

My professor talks fast..it's all from Powerpoint which comes from the book. Doesn't post any notes/reviews or anything what might be on the test. She even says the test will be hard.

The thing i want to know is, at least an example of what might be on the test, what kind of question.

Like what the hell do i need to know for the test, it's getting sorta annoying, I'm also taking chem but i find that a little easier.
Click to expand...

What kind of pre-med are you? Everyone knows that all real pre-meds know that memorizing every word of the respective chapters is a requirement.

But, in all seriousness, it obviously depends on the prof. Some disregard the book [for the most part] and test exclusively from their lecture/slides. Other professors make it that their lecture is essentially pointless since everything tested is from the chapter summary. Other professors are a hybrid of the two extremes.

If you don't know a single soul that has had this prof before, check out ratemyprofessors and myedu -- in the hopes that some poor bastard before you hated/loved the prof enough to submit feedback.
 
Frazier said:
What kind of pre-med are you? Everyone knows that all real pre-meds know that memorizing every word of the respective chapters is a requirement.

But, in all seriousness, it obviously depends on the prof. Some disregard the book [for the most part] and test exclusively from their lecture/slides. Other professors make it that their lecture is essentially pointless since everything tested is from the chapter summary. Other professors are a hybrid of the two extremes.

If you don't know a single soul that has had this prof before, check out ratemyprofessors and myedu -- in the hopes that some poor bastard before you hated/loved the prof enough to submit feedback.
Click to expand...

Yea mainly it's how she teaches..very fast, small unnecessary power point slides which come straight from the book.

But yea i use ratemyprof all the time. She wasn't on there. This was the only logical teacher to have, because the rest were not American or couldn't speak well etc...
 
Does she post the powerpoints online?

If she does, and if I know biology professors in general, most (if not all) of the test questions come solely from their ppt's. At least that has been the case for every one of my biology classes up to this point (I'm a junior). Maybe my school is the only one that does this, so maybe I'm completely off.

I have not had to open a single biology book (with the exception of HW), in order to read the chapters. If something from the lecture notes confuses me I reread my notes from class, search YouTube for an explanation, or ask the professor.

But who knows, maybe it's just me who has never had to open a bio book.
 
Well you skim before a lecture but not read in depth. Then you listen to the lecture & take notes -- things that weren't in the book/summarizations. Read the textbook in detail for those parts. Review powerpoints. Re-review your notes.

done
 
rcheech7 said:
Does she post the powerpoints online?

If she does, and if I know biology professors in general, most (if not all) of the test questions come solely from their ppt's. At least that has been the case for every one of my biology classes up to this point (I'm a junior). Maybe my school is the only one that does this, so maybe I'm completely off.

I have not had to open a single biology book (with the exception of HW), in order to read the chapters. If something from the lecture notes confuses me I reread my notes from class, search YouTube for an explanation, or ask the professor.

But who knows, maybe it's just me who has never had to open a bio book.
Click to expand...

No she does not post anything online..nothing.

Also, the power points are things from the book but they are like unnecessary facts compared to the real facts we need to know and she doesn't talk about them..So basically i have to read 5 chapters with no idea of what might be on the test in the near future.
 
Read chapters 1-5 like a novel, meaning relatively fast. Then focus on the notes you have taken in class. From those notes, go back to the chapters that mention the same subject. Re-read those sections, which should be short, slowly.

If your crunched on time, read your class notes first. Skim the book, ready every title, but glancing at text. Then, study the relevant sections slowly. If you have time, read other sections.
 
Musclemass said:
Spoken like a true Texan. But I thought you once said you were middle eastern?
Click to expand...

Maybe he's talking about the Hispanics?

Ursa should add that to her Texan comments.
 
CoolWhipp said:
Read chapters 1-5 like a novel, meaning relatively fast. Then focus on the notes you have taken in class. From those notes, go back to the chapters that mention the same subject. Re-read those sections, which should be short, slowly.

If your crunched on time, read your class notes first. Skim the book, ready every title, but glancing at text. Then, study the relevant sections slowly. If you have time, read other sections.
Click to expand...

I like this, Ima try it. Thx 👍
 
gettheleadout said:
Bahreini doesn't sound like a very anglo name, but that doesn't mean he can't want someone who is definitely fluent and intelligible lol.
Click to expand...


Learning how to figure out different accents can be important in the hospital setting when you're thrown in with people from many different cultures. Might as well learn it in college.
 
Based on what you said about the proff...

Read the book intensely and remember every detail/concept. Is it that hard? If you don't retain the information the first time read the book again. Focus in lecture, don't take notes.
Don't take notes from the book either, just read then reread if you need to. Also, reading before lectures is overrated. You can go to lecture, listen and read the book to clear confusion and focus detail afterward.
 
StudyShy said:
Learning how to figure out different accents can be important in the hospital setting when you're thrown in with people from many different cultures. Might as well learn it in college.
Click to expand...
Oh I agree, but I think it might be more beneficial to do that by exposing yourself to people that your grade isn't dependent on understanding. :laugh:
 
torshi said:
It's over chapters 1-5..

I'm reading the book ahead of the lecture, but it's sorta hard since you don't know anything and then wait till lecture for her to go over it so i dont see the point. People keep saying memorize, but like memorize what? every single word for each chapter? What do we need to memorize specifically? Like words/concepts or whatever

My professor talks fast..it's all from Powerpoint which comes from the book. Doesn't post any notes/reviews or anything what might be on the test. She even says the test will be hard.

The thing i want to know is, at least an example of what might be on the test, what kind of question.
Click to expand...
I'm glad you're asking this forum for help, but what you really should do first is talk to your professor. If she's cold, never around, or terribly unhelpful then you can try plan B or C. That's my first bit of advice.

Next, I'd advise you skim the chapters before the lecture. At the very least, skimming the textbook will help you keep up with a fast lecturer because you've at least seen the material before. Even better if she uses the textbook powerpoint, because these will be nice visual cues for you.

Use your textbook SMART. Many important concepts are bolded. Other concepts are described in break-out boxes where they describe the historic experiment that describes how X was discovered. I find these helpful. Rote memorization might be fine for med school, but you sure as hell have time in your undergrad to understand why and how and not just what and where.

After the class, I'd go back and take notes on the text. This can help to really slowly work your way through the material as copying text makes you look at the same passage multiple times meanwhile you're slowly processing the content. After this, I'd go through practice problems for each concept (unless she's suggested problems, and then I'd go through those first). Sometimes, this will really help to transition your thought processes from merely absorbing knowledge to really processing it and communicating it.

The way you study will be very dependent on what kind of learner you are. Do you know? I learn things that are visual and auditory so I try to give myself a combination of both.

Finally:
Like what the hell do i need to know for the test, it's getting sorta annoying, I'm also taking chem but i find that a little easier.
Click to expand...
This is embarrassing!! Maybe come MCAT time you'll study to the test to jump through the mandatory hoop, but studying to the test is simply wasting your time IMHO. It's smart to study what will be on the test (you only have so much time) and how the test is given, but you should know things deeper than just what's required to get the A. A major pet peeve when people simply study to a test. This maximizes test scores and minimizes actual learning for many (but not all I suppose)...Personally, I'd rather get the B+ and know what the hell I just put down on the test, than get an A by vomiting out answers I committed to memory. This is hardly black and white, but you get my point.
 
obscurehero said:
I'm glad you're asking this forum for help, but what you really should do first is talk to your professor. If she's cold, never around, or terribly unhelpful then you can try plan B or C. That's my first bit of advice.

Next, I'd advise you skim the chapters before the lecture. At the very least, skimming the textbook will help you keep up with a fast lecturer because you've at least seen the material before. Even better if she uses the textbook powerpoint, because these will be nice visual cues for you.

Use your textbook SMART. Many important concepts are bolded. Other concepts are described in break-out boxes where they describe the historic experiment that describes how X was discovered. I find these helpful. Rote memorization might be fine for med school, but you sure as hell have time in your undergrad to understand why and how and not just what and where.

After the class, I'd go back and take notes on the text. This can help to really slowly work your way through the material as copying text makes you look at the same passage multiple times meanwhile you're slowly processing the content.

The way you study will be very dependent on what kind of learner you are. Do you know? I learn things that are visual and auditory so I try to give myself a combination of both.

Finally:
This is embarrassing!! Maybe come MCAT time you'll study to the test to jump through the mandatory hoop, but studying to the test is simply wasting your time IMHO. It's smart to study what will be on the test (you only have so much time) and how the test is given, but you should know things deeper than just what's required to get the A. A major pet peeve when people simply study to a test. This maximizes test scores and minimizes actual learning for many (but not all I suppose)...Personally, I'd rather get the B+ and know what the hell I just put down on the test, than get an A by vomiting out answers I committed to memory. This is hardly black and white, but you get my point.
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean, don't get me wrong. I do want to know the actual facts, but at this moment in time the test is coming up and obviously like anyone else i don't want to do horribly. And i obviously need to know what I'm doing or i will be well behind in the future.
But, yea I'll try what you said.
There are a lot of bold points in the book and i would assume know all those, and etc.
 
I read ahead and take notes. (Don't know what to write down? It should be that complicated. Look at the headings. What are the main ideas the authors are trying to convey? Look at the chapter summary and make sure you have all that stuff included.)

Then, I go to lecture, and make little notes here and there if I feel like it, but it's pretty much already written down.

Learning from the book shouldn't be that hard. If you understand the concepts you should pass the test. After the first test, you can see what style your prof is re. exam content.

Always read the text book. People who don't are focusing on passing tests, not learning. If you strive to learn, then you should test well. This is kind of a sore point with me. College is so expensive, and a lot of students treat it as a hassle. Treat it as an opportunity to educate yourself. That's the whole point!

GL
 
torshi said:
I understand what you mean, don't get me wrong. I do want to know the actual facts, but at this moment in time the test is coming up and obviously like anyone else i don't want to do horribly. And i obviously need to know what I'm doing or i will be well behind in the future.
But, yea I'll try what you said.
There are a lot of bold points in the book and i would assume know all those, and etc.
Click to expand...
Point taken. Yeah, check out the bolded terms. Sometimes the back of the book lists a glossary with concise definitions so you don't have to glean these from the text.

Not all, but many textbooks devote the first few pages to describing their text format. It describes the little 'features' of their layout (such as the bolded terms!). This might be helpful for you to use these to skim the text to pick up as much info as possible.

If the test is far enough away, I'd recommend a deeper study into the concepts as I said before. However, if it's too close to the test, you HAVE to study to the test... If you've been too busy to do this and test is coming up too soon, I'd definitely take a bit of a hit, study to the test, and then vow to stay ahead of the game in the future. 😛
 
Endolas said:
I read ahead and take notes. (Don't know what to write down? It should be that complicated. Look at the headings. What are the main ideas the authors are trying to convey? Look at the chapter summary and make sure you have all that stuff included.)

Then, I go to lecture, and make little notes here and there if I feel like it, but it's pretty much already written down.

Learning from the book shouldn't be that hard. If you understand the concepts you should pass the test. After the first test, you can see what style your prof is re. exam content.

Always read the text book. People who don't are focusing on passing tests, not learning. If you strive to learn, then you should test well. This is kind of a sore point with me. College is so expensive, and a lot of students treat it as a hassle. Treat it as an opportunity to educate yourself. That's the whole point!

GL
Click to expand...

Alright, sounds good.

I'll go over the themes and chapter summaries.

I just read a few chapters right now and took notes of bolded material, so i guess i can go back and go over the concepts etc.
 
obscurehero said:
Point taken. Yeah, check out the bolded terms. Sometimes the back of the book lists a glossary with concise definitions so you don't have to glean these from the text.

Not all, but many textbooks devote the first few pages to describing their text format. It describes the little 'features' of their layout (such as the bolded terms!). This might be helpful for you to use these to skim the text to pick up as much info as possible.

If the test is far enough away, I'd recommend a deeper study into the concepts as I said before. However, if it's too close to the test, you HAVE to study to the test... If you've been too busy to do this and test is coming up too soon, I'd definitely take a bit of a hit, study to the test, and then vow to stay ahead of the game in the future. 😛
Click to expand...

I have time to study for the test, I mean I'm reading it constantly, i finally wrote down multiple notes including the bolded parts and I'll most likely try to go over the themes and chapter summaries like another poster said.

Sounds like a good idea.


Yea man i wanna past the test, but I also want to learn and understand whats going on so it will help me for upper-level courses.
 
I got an A in bio 1 and what helped me the most was physically writing down definitions then crossing out things you already know and then writing down the ones you don't know again. I think that writing something down over and over work 400000x better than reading something over and over.
 
gettheleadout said:
Oh I agree, but I think it might be more beneficial to do that by exposing yourself to people that your grade isn't dependent on understanding. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Must...get...an....A. 🙂

Accents sure make class more interesting.
 
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