How do I make higher grades in science classes?

[TexasSurgeon]

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I can just feel it. I'm about to get flamed on SDN.

But my question is a serious one. I made A's in Cal 1,2,3, Bio 1&2, and orgo lab 1 & 2.

However, I made B+'s in genchem 1&2, physics 1&2, a C in orgo 1, and a B in orgo 2.

While these are B+s and aren't necessarily bad, I basically have 15 hours of B's and then a C. I received the majority of these B's last year, where I took Physics & Orgo. I'm feeling a bit depressed about my chances for going to a competitive medical school, particularly in Texas.

Any advice on overcoming this streak of low science grades? I know it's been only 2 semesters of this, but I cannot have any more of this, because it's dragging down my sGPA. Is there a particular method of studying/reading you guys would recommend?

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Well, how did you study to get those Bs/Cs?

 

[Noggin]

I can just feel it. I'm about to get flamed on SDN.

But my question is a serious one. I made A's in Cal 1,2,3, Bio 1&2, and orgo lab 1 & 2.

However, I made B+'s in genchem 1&2, physics 1&2, a C in orgo 1, and a B in orgo 2.

While these are B+s and aren't necessarily bad, I basically have 15 hours of B's and then a C. I received the majority of these B's last year, where I took Physics & Orgo. I'm feeling a bit depressed about my chances for going to a competitive medical school, particularly in Texas.

Any advice on overcoming this streak of low science grades? I know it's been only 2 semesters of this, but I cannot have any more of this, because it's dragging down my sGPA. Is there a particular method of studying/reading you guys would recommend?

From what I can tell it appears that you are not studying correctly. In order to give advice you need to give me a little more information. Do you have trouble understanding concepts? Do you have trouble memorizing information? Do you feel like you have a solid grasp on the material and then choke on the exams? How much time do you study for each class and more importantly HOW do you study?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Well, how did you study to get those Bs/Cs?

From what I can tell it appears that you are not studying correctly. In order to give advice you need to give me a little more information. Do you have trouble understanding concepts? Do you have trouble memorizing information? Do you feel like you have a solid grasp on the material and then choke on the exams? How much time do you study for each class and more importantly HOW do you study?

I sometimes have trouble understanding concepts, but after a while memorizing information is easy once I have read over it several times. When I do have a solid grasp on material, I never choke on exams.

Usually I do this: Read the chapter, do those problems in the chapter, and then do the homework assigned, whether that on an online system or assigned by problems.

If you see the pattern, I do well in classes like math and bio because math has assigned HW problems and bio is mostly memorization.

However, in classes like physics and gchem/orgo, I don't do so well because it's mostly a problem based class. I only get to the B+ level which for me happens when I have done the HW and reviewed concepts. I can't for some reason get to that extra 15% required to make the A, and it's depressing as hell.

 

[loltopsy]

Most schools offer free tutoring. You apparently aren't getting the concepts. Schedule time with a tutor (or office hours) and go through each concept.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Most schools offer free tutoring. You apparently aren't getting the concepts. Schedule time with a tutor (or office hours) and go through each concept.

I do get the concepts. I think it's the problem solving aspect that hits me

 

[RyanRt]

Sometimes to fully understand the concepts you have to be able to teach it someone else. Try explaining the content of your notes to someone else, a pet, or even a house plant 😛

 

[Noggin]

I sometimes have trouble understanding concepts, but after a while memorizing information is easy once I have read over it several times. When I do have a solid grasp on material, I never choke on exams.

Usually I do this: Read the chapter, do those problems in the chapter, and then do the homework assigned, whether that on an online system or assigned by problems.

If you see the pattern, I do well in classes like math and bio because math has assigned HW problems and bio is mostly memorization.

However, in classes like physics and gchem/orgo, I don't do so well because it's mostly a problem based class. I only get to the B+ level which for me happens when I have done the HW and reviewed concepts. I can't for some reason get to that extra 15% required to make the A, and it's depressing as hell.

So it seems as if you have the memorization nailed down but you are struggling with the conceptual aspect of school. For physics, each chapter will have a few equations and rules that you must memorize (i.e K.E.=1/2mv^2). Memorizing these formulas is only half the battle. You really need to know when to apply each formula. To practice you need to approach physics problems with your mental toolbox (the equations that you have memorized) and really struggle with the problem before you jump to the answer. DO NOT look at the solutions manual or flip to the back of the book to look up the answer if you do not get it right away. This is what earned my good grades in physics. Do every single problem associated with each chapter. Redo every single problem associated with each chapter. I think that approaching each problem before looking at the solution, and repetition is key to success in physics. Approach general chemistry in a similar way.

Organic chemistry can be tricky because there is often a lot of memorization involved. You must memorize all mechanisms that your professor tells you to. In my class, we practically had to memorize every single mechanism in the whole book. However, a significant amount of organic chemistry is also problem solving. For example, approach synthesis problems in exactly the same way that you would approach a physics problem. The difference here is that you need to memorize which reagents do what versus what equations do what (for physics). Again, do every problem associated with each chapter (and do not look at answers until you have struggled significantly with the problem). Repeat each problem.

If you do these things then I don't see how you couldn't be successful. Good luck! 🙂

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I'm feeling a bit depressed about my chances for going to a competitive medical school, particularly in Texas.

There are competitive programs in TX?

 

[Josh7]

Try harder... That's usually the answer

 

[TexasSurgeon]

So it seems as if you have the memorization nailed down but you are struggling with the conceptual aspect of school. For physics, each chapter will have a few equations and rules that you must memorize (i.e K.E.=1/2mv^2). Memorizing these formulas is only half the battle. You really need to know when to apply each formula. To practice you need to approach physics problems with your mental toolbox (the equations that you have memorized) and really struggle with the problem before you jump to the answer. DO NOT look at the solutions manual or flip to the back of the book to look up the answer if you do not get it right away. This is what earned my good grades in physics. Do every single problem associated with each chapter. Redo every single problem associated with each chapter. I think that approaching each problem before looking at the solution, and repetition is key to success in physics. Approach general chemistry in a similar way.

Organic chemistry can be tricky because there is often a lot of memorization involved. You must memorize all mechanisms that your professor tells you to. In my class, we practically had to memorize every single mechanism in the whole book. However, a significant amount of organic chemistry is also problem solving. For example, approach synthesis problems in exactly the same way that you would approach a physics problem. The difference here is that you need to memorize which reagents do what versus what equations do what (for physics). Again, do every problem associated with each chapter (and do not look at answers until you have struggled significantly with the problem). Repeat each problem.

If you do these things then I don't see how you couldn't be successful. Good luck! 🙂

I'm guessing biochem is a similar beast? I find it really hard not to look at the answers, especially the longer I can't figure it out. Another thing is that for some reason it's hard for me to sit down and really do all the problems at the end of each chapter. Advice on this?

Thanks a lot Noggin, your posts have helped 🙂

 

[IncognitoGuy]

I'm guessing biochem is a similar beast? I find it really hard not to look at the answers, especially the longer I can't figure it out. Another thing is that for some reason it's hard for me to sit down and really do all the problems at the end of each chapter. Advice on this?

Thanks a lot Noggin, your posts have helped 🙂

Biochem's more straight memorization, with some concepts thrown in. Lots of pathways (reactants, products, cofactors, enzymes) are involved.

As for sitting down and doing problems - just do it. Like any other things, you will get used to it after you do it enough. You'll study for the MCAT in a similar way (if you take it before 2015, I can't say anything after that) so discipline would be a valuable skill to pick up now.

And yeah, I recommend getting an erasable whiteboard so you can scribble on it. It's helpful both for drawing out diagrams if you're memorizing stuff and doing practice problems without wasting too much paper.

 

[aesculapian]

To practice you need to approach physics problems with your mental toolbox (the equations that you have memorized) and really struggle with the problem before you jump to the answer. DO NOT look at the solutions manual or flip to the back of the book to look up the answer if you do not get it right away. This is what earned my good grades in physics. Do every single problem associated with each chapter. Redo every single problem associated with each chapter. I think that approaching each problem before looking at the solution, and repetition is key to success in physics. Approach general chemistry in a similar way.

+1. Also, take some time after you read the book before you do the problems-- it's easy to feel like you understand a concept right after you've read 20 pages about it (a position you're definitely not in when exam time comes around). Then come back to the problems, and if you can't get one right away skip it and do others first (sometimes a similar question will be worded slightly differently, and you'll get it that way). If you're still stuck, go back to your notes and review formulas, concepts, etc. to try and solve it. If you're still stuck, ask a friend or TA how to solve it. Looking at the answer key should always be the very last thing you do.

 

[theseeker4]

I'm guessing biochem is a similar beast? I find it really hard not to look at the answers, especially the longer I can't figure it out. Another thing is that for some reason it's hard for me to sit down and really do all the problems at the end of each chapter. Advice on this?

Thanks a lot Noggin, your posts have helped 🙂

For the bolded, when you look at the answer, do you then work the problem out to see how the answer was reached, or do you just look up the answer and move on? Try working it out again, right after looking it up, without looking at the answer the second time, to get the steps used down. Then find all the other problems of the same type you can (such as calculating total resistance of a circuit in parallel, for example) and work them all out without looking them up, to ingrain the steps needed for that type of problem into your mind.

Or is your problem more along the lines of recognizing WHEN you need to use a particular formula or problem strategy based on what information is being provided and asked for?

 

[TexasSurgeon]

For the bolded, when you look at the answer, do you then work the problem out to see how the answer was reached, or do you just look up the answer and move on? Try working it out again, right after looking it up, without looking at the answer the second time, to get the steps used down. Then find all the other problems of the same type you can (such as calculating total resistance of a circuit in parallel, for example) and work them all out without looking them up, to ingrain the steps needed for that type of problem into your mind.

Or is your problem more along the lines of recognizing WHEN you need to use a particular formula or problem strategy based on what information is being provided and asked for?

When I look at the answer, I try and work it out and see how it got there. Then I do it over again if I'm still shaky. And sometimes I do get confused as to what formula to use, but it's not as common.

I think I have the tendency to overdo myself in terms of taking classes and involvement with ECs. As a result I end up half assing a lot of stuff and it hits me. It's hard for me to bring myself to do all the problems or in the back and I'm not sure why and how to overcome that feeling.

 

[Loveless]

I do get the concepts. I think it's the problem solving aspect that hits me

You need to do more problems than you're already doing. You can know a concept 100%, but if your brain isn't trained properly to take those concepts and use them as tools to solve problems, then you're screwed. I found this out the hard way in Gen Chem 2; I kinda knew what the question was asking of me, and where I wanted to end up, but I had no idea how to get to that end. Doing more problems and less reading helped me a lot when it came to those sort of problems.

 

[survivordo]

You need to do more problems than you're already doing. You can know a concept 100%, but if your brain isn't trained properly to take those concepts and use them as tools to solve problems, then you're screwed. I found this out the hard way in Gen Chem 2; I kinda knew what the question was asking of me, and where I wanted to end up, but I had no idea how to get to that end. Doing more problems and less reading helped me a lot when it came to those sort of problems.

This. The only way to succeed in science classes is to apply the information. Until you make yourself try to do that you won't know if you if you get it. Use problems as an opportunity to learn.

Survivor DO

 

[TexasSurgeon]

You need to do more problems than you're already doing. You can know a concept 100%, but if your brain isn't trained properly to take those concepts and use them as tools to solve problems, then you're screwed. I found this out the hard way in Gen Chem 2; I kinda knew what the question was asking of me, and where I wanted to end up, but I had no idea how to get to that end. Doing more problems and less reading helped me a lot when it came to those sort of problems.

This. The only way to succeed in science classes is to apply the information. Until you make yourself try to do that you won't know if you if you get it. Use problems as an opportunity to learn.

Survivor DO

I think it's more become a matter of finding the motivation to do more problems. I regret not doing them now in hindsight, because I always understood concepts, given enough time. I just didn't apply them through problems.

 

[Arkangeloid]

Set aside time each day to study and go to office hours for stuff you're having trouble with. Seriously, almost NOBODY went to office hours for science teachers at my school.

 

[sliceofbread136]

There are competitive programs in TX?

Baylor and utsw. Uth is becoming pretty competitive too

 

[deleted303591]

It is none of my business which school you go to, but I do think you happen to attend the same school I go to.

You should always consult http://myedu.com for average GPA and percent of students with a particular letter grade, by course and instructor at your school. If you end up going post-bacc, you should absolutely check out http://gradeinflation.com to see the average GPA by university.

I always keep a detailed calendar, with all of my short-term and long-term events and commitments. I have everything on my calendar, even showering. This calendar is uploaded to the iCloud, so the calendar is on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro at all times. I give a week to study for all exams, which consists of mostly practice problems, with the intensity and time spent working towards the exam focused on the last three days. I spell everything out, the book sections, the problems, etcetera on my calendar in advance (usually at the start of the semester, although it is an ongoing task, as there is always new work assigned), in general.

I make a paper list of things to do, in addition, every morning when I wake up, that I take with me.

I make tracker sheets for my grades, homework problems, how long it takes me to do practice problems, and for if/if not the practice problems were right/wrong. I time everything I do, and I log this on my tracker sheet, to make sure I am studying effectively. I use Excel on Office 365 on either my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

Most of the time, in my courses, the difference between an A/B is a matter of doing more practice problems. Rarely are the problems assigned for homework and "practice" sufficient. Reading the book is usually essential, but doing problems related to the material (including in the book) is what "knowing the book" consists of.

I also always create digital copies of my books (by scanning the textbook before the semester starts). I keep copies of my books on my iPad, iPhone, and computer, so I can study conveniently anywhere.

I also take all of my notes digitally, on my iPad, using the Lifeproof nuud case (has a thick bezel-"frame" for resting your palm on), with the Pogo connect stylus, and the notability app (which records audio while you take notes on this particular app). The notes get uploaded to my Dropbox, and can be accessed there. I can see the notes on my MacBook Pro, iPhone, or Ipad.

I also create a wiki for the course, consisting of review problems for any imaginable and just general review information, in an organized manner, basically from screenshots from my notes, textbook, homework problems, old tests, and material off of the Internet. There is an app called VoodooPad that works on the iPhone, iPad, and the MacBook Pro, but I use the MacBook Pro to create the wikis for my courses.

For taking breaks, I use the Pomodoro app on my iPhone/iPad to determine when it is time to take a break. This keeps me from overworking and getting too stressed out.

Most importantly, I study in groups. This makes doing hard problems much more tolerable.

I hope I did not overload you too much. I am a very intense person. I have a lot of health problems, but I am still successful for all that is going on with me. I doubt I would be successful without technology. I find my work much more rewarding through planning and being resourceful. I hope this helps.

(Sent from my iPad)

 

[shootingstar7]

Working the problem is everything in these classes. You aren't studying if your pencil isn't moving.

 

[deleted303591]

Working the problem is everything in these classes. You aren't studying if your pencil isn't moving.

+1 You summed that up.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Working the problem is everything in these classes. You aren't studying if your pencil isn't moving.

I guess I learned this the hard way then. Oh well, just gotta remember it and keep moving forward.

It is none of my business which school you go to, but I do think you happen to attend the same school I go to.

You should always consult http://myedu.com for average GPA and percent of students with a particular letter grade, by course and instructor at your school. If you end up going post-bacc, you should absolutely check out http://gradeinflation.com to see the average GPA by university.

I always keep a detailed calendar, with all of my short-term and long-term events and commitments. I have everything on my calendar, even showering. This calendar is uploaded to the iCloud, so the calendar is on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro at all times. I give a week to study for all exams, which consists of mostly practice problems, with the intensity and time spent working towards the exam focused on the last three days. I spell everything out, the book sections, the problems, etcetera on my calendar in advance (usually at the start of the semester, although it is an ongoing task, as there is always new work assigned), in general.

I make a paper list of things to do, in addition, every morning when I wake up, that I take with me.

I make tracker sheets for my grades, homework problems, how long it takes me to do practice problems, and for if/if not the practice problems were right/wrong. I time everything I do, and I log this on my tracker sheet, to make sure I am studying effectively. I use Excel on Office 365 on either my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

Most of the time, in my courses, the difference between an A/B is a matter of doing more practice problems. Rarely are the problems assigned for homework and "practice" sufficient. Reading the book is usually essential, but doing problems related to the material (including in the book) is what "knowing the book" consists of.

I also always create digital copies of my books (by scanning the textbook before the semester starts). I keep copies of my books on my iPad, iPhone, and computer, so I can study conveniently anywhere.

I also take all of my notes digitally, on my iPad, using the Lifeproof nuud case (has a thick bezel-"frame" for resting your palm on), with the Pogo connect stylus, and the notability app (which records audio while you take notes on this particular app). The notes get uploaded to my Dropbox, and can be accessed there. I can see the notes on my MacBook Pro, iPhone, or Ipad.

I also create a wiki for the course, consisting of review problems for any imaginable and just general review information, in an organized manner, basically from screenshots from my notes, textbook, homework problems, old tests, and material off of the Internet. There is an app called VoodooPad that works on the iPhone, iPad, and the MacBook Pro, but I use the MacBook Pro to create the wikis for my courses.

For taking breaks, I use the Pomodoro app on my iPhone/iPad to determine when it is time to take a break. This keeps me from overworking and getting too stressed out.

Most importantly, I study in groups. This makes doing hard problems much more tolerable.

I hope I did not overload you too much. I am a very intense person. I have a lot of health problems, but I am still successful for all that is going on with me. I doubt I would be successful without technology. I find my work much more rewarding through planning and being resourceful. I hope this helps.

(Sent from my iPad)

Thank you Moco. I will look into these.

 

[IslandStyle808]

It is none of my business which school you go to, but I do think you happen to attend the same school I go to.

You should always consult http://myedu.com for average GPA and percent of students with a particular letter grade, by course and instructor at your school. If you end up going post-bacc, you should absolutely check out http://gradeinflation.com to see the average GPA by university.

I always keep a detailed calendar, with all of my short-term and long-term events and commitments. I have everything on my calendar, even showering. This calendar is uploaded to the iCloud, so the calendar is on my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro at all times. I give a week to study for all exams, which consists of mostly practice problems, with the intensity and time spent working towards the exam focused on the last three days. I spell everything out, the book sections, the problems, etcetera on my calendar in advance (usually at the start of the semester, although it is an ongoing task, as there is always new work assigned), in general.

I make a paper list of things to do, in addition, every morning when I wake up, that I take with me.

I make tracker sheets for my grades, homework problems, how long it takes me to do practice problems, and for if/if not the practice problems were right/wrong. I time everything I do, and I log this on my tracker sheet, to make sure I am studying effectively. I use Excel on Office 365 on either my iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro.

Most of the time, in my courses, the difference between an A/B is a matter of doing more practice problems. Rarely are the problems assigned for homework and "practice" sufficient. Reading the book is usually essential, but doing problems related to the material (including in the book) is what "knowing the book" consists of.

I also always create digital copies of my books (by scanning the textbook before the semester starts). I keep copies of my books on my iPad, iPhone, and computer, so I can study conveniently anywhere.

I also take all of my notes digitally, on my iPad, using the Lifeproof nuud case (has a thick bezel-"frame" for resting your palm on), with the Pogo connect stylus, and the notability app (which records audio while you take notes on this particular app). The notes get uploaded to my Dropbox, and can be accessed there. I can see the notes on my MacBook Pro, iPhone, or Ipad.

I also create a wiki for the course, consisting of review problems for any imaginable and just general review information, in an organized manner, basically from screenshots from my notes, textbook, homework problems, old tests, and material off of the Internet. There is an app called VoodooPad that works on the iPhone, iPad, and the MacBook Pro, but I use the MacBook Pro to create the wikis for my courses.

For taking breaks, I use the Pomodoro app on my iPhone/iPad to determine when it is time to take a break. This keeps me from overworking and getting too stressed out.

Most importantly, I study in groups. This makes doing hard problems much more tolerable.

I hope I did not overload you too much. I am a very intense person. I have a lot of health problems, but I am still successful for all that is going on with me. I doubt I would be successful without technology. I find my work much more rewarding through planning and being resourceful. I hope this helps.

(Sent from my iPad)

👍

Nicely done moco