How do I memorize information quickly in biological science courses?

[libraryismyhome]

It's strange to say this as a premed, but my greatest weakness is in biology. I need to spend longer time than other students in order to get the same grade. I need some advice from medical students who were probably experts in biology classes during undergrad.

I always have a hard time memorizing a lot of information. I just cannot memorize the material on slides just by going thorough them multiple times.

Currently, I am take notes in my own words from both textbooks and lecture slides, but this study method takes too much time, and I don't know how am I going to keep up with medical school course load which is 2X faster and 2X more than an upper level bio course in undergrad.
(perhaps 4X on each?)

Did anyone have a same problem? How did you guys memorize the information quickly for biology courses?

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[Morsetlis]

I passed AP Bio with a 5 and passed Bio III with an A+ the summer between high school and college.

I found it helpful to pay attention during lecture: That way you don't have to read the book. I also write notes furiously, with a pen, and never look at them again (but at least listening + writing down commits the info twice). Biology is mostly about systems. Try to tie everything you learned in a few chapters together: There'll be chapters on plants, chapters on plant systems, chapters on animals and evolutionary biology, etc. Say everything out loud or in your head and summarize chapters after you finish studying them.

Slides are probably the worst ways to study. I can't imagine studying from just looking at slides without somebody lecturing.

There's basically two methods of learning in med school: Lecture + books or books. If you think that's too hard, perhaps you should take things a little more slowly (take less classes and find tutors) before you graduate. You won't be ready for med school otherwise.

 

[link2swim06]

1. get off sdn
2. turn off the tv
3. write and say them aloud until you remember them (if you look at them, write them, say them, (& therefore hear them) you will remember it with better success

 

[Drexon]

Perhaps you're looking at trees in the forest and not the entire forest.
That being said I focused on understanding general themes in bio. Once I understood the main themes, I understood where little minute details and facts were to go. But then you might ask which facts and details should I focus on ? Well stuff mentioned in class or emphasised in class were material that i probably should focus on and memorize.

Take glycolysis for example.
I know it converts glucose molecules into pyruvate. But is this all glycolysis does? No , it also makes ATP and red NAD+ to NADH.
How is all this accomplished .. by enzymes!
well what enzymes are needed?
Memorizing enzymes (knowing both the proper spelling!!! and enzyme function) in a particular order is a daunting task but... it helps if you draw out the glucose molecule and see how it changes throughout the process.
Then look at the enzymes. Their names give clues to what function they do!
Take hexokinase.
hexo = 6
kinase = enzyme that adds phosphate group
knowing glucose is a 6 carbon molecule.. you can see it's a substrate for glycolysis..

haha i dont know if it helps but that's how i use to study and how i broke up the material to study. rather than just MEMORIZE enzymes straight up. That's just hard to do .

 

[Doubtnichts]

I wrote everything down and then rewrote it again. I learned glycolysis by writing down all the steps while watching tv or eating or some other form of multitasking. It does help if you can connect the names with functions though 😛

 

[robertson]

organize your information on paper so that your brain can organize information rather than it being jumbled in your head. use charts, outlines, etc. whatever you need to do so. flashcards often help, even the process of making them helps in memorization. study and then sleep on it.

 

[J ROD]

some people just write notes over and over.....

Personally, I can memorize well so I just read through the notes a couple of times in front of the TV.....

I do think I will pay more attention in class while in med school......

 

[Moosecakes]

Step one: STOP comparing yourself to the other students. This will get you NOWHERE.
Step two: find a study environment that works for your needs. For me, i like to be in my dorm room, with music playing. For you it may be in silence at the library, find out what works for you.

Do not worry about what med school will be like, deal with that issue when it comes, i am willing to bet that if you survive the rigors of premed and are accepted into medical school you will have your studying down to a science.

Take things at your own pace, take 20 extra hours of study time per test versus the other students, WHO GIVES A ****?!?!
I know as a freshman you really have nothing better to do. (that is not constructive that is better to do) so dont give yourself that excuse.
Read the slides, and memorize them. Stay fully engaged the entire time. Let me say that again, stay fully engaged the entire study session! If you cant recall what you read 10 seconds ago re read it and memorize it. Read the book and understand the pathways, soon the functions will become intuitive. study for each test to get a 100%, study beyond what you need to study. Remember, you are a freshman, you have this luxury right now.
Put in the extra time and reap your rewards. Soon enough the other students are going to be trying to copy your formula.

 

[Hope2008]

Repetition

 

[NerdyAndrea]

I read my books aloud to myself and record it on my computer using audacity, and then I play it back and listen. sometimes I read along in the book and sometimes I just listen. I also take notes.

Also I am not sure if it's available at other Universities, but we have Panopto and the instructors record their classes, so you can watch and listen more than once. That's saved me many times. I also take a small voice recorder to class with me. I take notes as well.

 

[rxlea]

1. I know this sounds dumb but try to relate it to something in your life or some memory you have.
2. Videos

 

[girlofgrace7]

Repetition does little for most people. The best way to learn bio is to put it all in context--try to understand the big picture before learning the details. I struggled through cell and molec bio when trying to learn the details of a kinase cascade without having any idea where or why a kinase cascade takes place. When a teacher offhandedly mentioned a quick definition of a kinase cascade in physiology, every detail I learned in cell and molec suddenly made sense. Connect everything to what you already know.

Also, it helps a lot to use mneumonics... songs, stories, etc. I learned the types of algae and their products, etc. by pretending they were people with life stories (like Eugene for Euglenophyta sits all by himself, gets A's and tends his bees, eats carrots and chews gum [xanthophylls made me think of gum], and he grows plants). Flashcards help some too.

I agree with the above sentiments about comparing yourself to other pre-meds. There are three types who are equally successful (two friends and I all have different styles and were all accepted to med or optometry school). One just "gets" it. He has had to study very little because his mind makes the necessary connections right away. I have had to study a fair amount, but I am able to cram or learn methods as I go along and succeed. My other friend would have to start studying two weeks in advance and repeat things over and over in order to pull the same grades. You just have to learn what works for you.

 

[Morsetlis]

Repetition does little for most people.

wat

Eugene for Euglenophyta sits all by himself

wat

I advise that you actually learn what latin/greek roots mean rather than make up silly stories. Mnemonics are good--for memorizing lists. For understanding them, mnemonics won't work.

I will agree with your last paragraph.

 

[Electronegative]

 

[Morsetlis]

I like the EC Audio Osmosis. You can find it on demonoid/tpb.