How Should I Tackle Biology?

[Punished Angeleno]

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I’m currently just over 2 weeks into Ari’s study schedule and I’m doing okay so far. However, as the chapters of biology are getting increasingly longer, I’m starting to think taking detailed notes on Feralis and Cliff’s is eating up too much time. I’m spending 6-7 hours on biology alone almost every day just to stay on schedule (this includes Khan Academy videos I watch for clarity). I often find myself studying until 1-2am because of it. At this rate, the chapter on “Animal Form and Function” is probably going to take me ~5 long days to cover.

That said, is there any other way I can tackle biology? I don't want to miss the small details but I also don't want to spend most of my time on one section of the DAT. On the bright side, my exam isn't until the 3rd week of September.

Thank you so much!

 

[deleted678432]

I personally typed notes when I started to get to bio diversity and Animal F&F. I started this with bio diversity because the material was so bland and I for whatever reason have an obsession with making my handwriting look super nice, so that it took me forever. I thought I was going to be learning about fungi and angiosperms forever.

What I wish I did all along was type my notes as it wouldve saved a lot of time. Also, REVIEW YOUR NOTES AS YOU GO!! Make notecards, and really engrain the information!! I did not really do this until a month into my three month schedule and now, about 4 weeks out from my test, I am catching myself reviewing all of my notes and really taking this time to learn, and I feel behind. If I started off this way, then there's no way I wouldnt have a guaranteed 28+ lined up in biology because I am learning a whole lot really fast!

It's hard, but really take a chunk of time to learn your stuff! ESPECIALLY bio diversity and animal F&F. Make anki cards about a lot of stuff so that you can memorize the material. As for the small detail, destroyer will cover that. You'll go through it and realize that there is a lot of holes in your studying, but 600 questions later, you should be solid!

 

[Punished Angeleno]

I personally typed notes when I started to get to bio diversity and Animal F&F. I started this with bio diversity because the material was so bland and I for whatever reason have an obsession with making my handwriting look super nice, so that it took me forever. I thought I was going to be learning about fungi and angiosperms forever.

What I wish I did all along was type my notes as it wouldve saved a lot of time. Also, REVIEW YOUR NOTES AS YOU GO!! Make notecards, and really engrain the information!! I did not really do this until a month into my three month schedule and now, about 4 weeks out from my test, I am catching myself reviewing all of my notes and really taking this time to learn, and I feel behind. If I started off this way, then there's no way I wouldnt have a guaranteed 28+ lined up in biology because I am learning a whole lot really fast!

It's hard, but really take a chunk of time to learn your stuff! ESPECIALLY bio diversity and animal F&F. Make anki cards about a lot of stuff so that you can memorize the material. As for the small detail, destroyer will cover that. You'll go through it and realize that there is a lot of holes in your studying, but 600 questions later, you should be solid!

Same here, honestly. I spend more time than I should making everything look good. I don't know why, but I just can't help it. I'll probably start typing up my notes starting with tomorrow's chapter on evolution. I haven't been reviewing my biology notes as much as I should have since I'm pretty much learning general chemistry all over again (I took it 3 years ago, didn't do well). I'll definitely get to it though!

How often do you review the material for biology? All I've done so far is skim through my notes every other day before I start on the new material. Then I use my "rest" day to rewatch some videos and make notecards for general chemistry.

Thanks for replying!

 

[deleted678432]

Same here, honestly. I spend more time than I should making everything look good. I don't know why, but I just can't help it. I'll probably start typing up my notes starting with tomorrow's chapter on evolution. I haven't been reviewing my biology notes as much as I should have since I'm pretty much learning general chemistry all over again (I took it 3 years ago, didn't do well). I'll definitely get to it though!

How often do you review the material for biology? All I've done so far is skim through my notes every other day before I start on the new material. Then I use my "rest" day to rewatch some videos and make notecards for general chemistry.

Thanks for replying!

I used to try and reread one chapter a day, but now I review everyday and make Anki cards everyday as I'm doing the destroyer. I started off with getting under 50% out of like 30 questions, and now I'm up scoring around 24 or so right of the 30. Most of the questions I get wrong at this point are obscure facts that I have no recollection of learning! My BC score for bio also has improved by four in under a week from just heavy review daily. Destroyer really does work wonders if you do it correctly


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[FeralisExtremum]

I'd definitely second what @spressomfs said above and make sure you're reviewing as you go - it's a critical part of the retention process.

As far as animal form and function goes - if creating your own notes is the time consuming part here and you're already using mine as a resource anyway, I'd consider just trying to memorize mine for that section to save yourself some time and energy.

 

[UMDDS]

The biggest key is constant exposure to different things. None of it is EXTREMELY intricate details per se, but the DAT is wide in scope and there are many things that it can ask, from where the eustachian tubes connect in the body to what the type of mutual relationship is between fungi and cyanobacteria, to what type of cells cause early termination of cell division in embryos, etc. The biggest thing is looking at and digesting every single question you can find, from Bootcamp, to Destroyer (especially Destroyer), etc. If you do that and get extremely familiar with Feralis notes, you'll be fine, and thank you very much! You'll be glad when it's over, and all the work will be well worth it.

Using Feralis' notes as a template and learning that thing front to back and then adding in your own notes, figures, definitions, mnemonics, etc is a great idea. My notes from him started as like 30 or 40 pages and ended with about 50 pages (although I increased the font, so it was really like 120 lol). This was the biggest factor in me getting 25 on the bio section. Good luck!

 

[smilesandwaves]

The biggest key is constant exposure to different things. None of it is EXTREMELY intricate details per se, but the DAT is wide in scope and there are many things that it can ask, from where the eustachian tubes connect in the body to what the type of mutual relationship is between fungi and cyanobacteria, to what type of cells cause early termination of cell division in embryos, etc. The biggest thing is looking at and digesting every single question you can find, from Bootcamp, to Destroyer (especially Destroyer), etc. If you do that and get extremely familiar with Feralis notes, you'll be fine, and thank you very much! You'll be glad when it's over, and all the work will be well worth it.

Using Feralis' notes as a template and learning that thing front to back and then adding in your own notes, figures, definitions, mnemonics, etc is a great idea. My notes from him started as like 30 or 40 pages and ended with about 50 pages (although I increased the font, so it was really like 120 lol). This was the biggest factor in me getting 25 on the bio section. Good luck!

Did you just use Cliffs, Feralis, and Destroyer? That is what I am doing right now, and I have already gone through all of destroyer bio and now on my second round. Should this be enough, or did you also memorize from other sources like AK lectures ( I only watch these to clarify subjects, not memorize new things) , online, additional textbooks, etc?

 

[UMDDS]

Did you just use Cliffs, Feralis, and Destroyer? That is what I am doing right now, and I have already gone through all of destroyer bio and now on my second round. Should this be enough, or did you also memorize from other sources like AK lectures ( I only watch these to clarify subjects, not memorize new things) , online, additional textbooks, etc?

AK Lectures, while freaking awesome for advanced classes, were not something I used for the DAT. They may work awesome for you and that's great. I used Khan Academy (especially the cell phone app) and the Varsity Tutors AP Bio and AP Chem apps for extra practice problems! I also used Cliffs, but if you use Feralis, it's a better resource. Cliffs is fine for initial exposure though. Really, the supplemental information that you use to hammer down concepts comes down to how you digest materials the best, but the combo of Feralis notes, Cliffs, Destroyer, and Bootcamp are the best tools to start with in my opinion

 

[Punished Angeleno]

I'd definitely second what @spressomfs said above and make sure you're reviewing as you go - it's a critical part of the retention process.

As far as animal form and function goes - if creating your own notes is the time consuming part here and you're already using mine as a resource anyway, I'd consider just trying to memorize mine for that section to save yourself some time and energy.

Will do! I'm planning on giving myself an hour or so of review each morning before working on any new material.

The chapter on animal form and function might take up an extra day regardless, honestly. We'll see how it goes. Thanks a ton for the notes, by the way.

 

[Punished Angeleno]

The biggest key is constant exposure to different things. None of it is EXTREMELY intricate details per se, but the DAT is wide in scope and there are many things that it can ask, from where the eustachian tubes connect in the body to what the type of mutual relationship is between fungi and cyanobacteria, to what type of cells cause early termination of cell division in embryos, etc. The biggest thing is looking at and digesting every single question you can find, from Bootcamp, to Destroyer (especially Destroyer), etc. If you do that and get extremely familiar with Feralis notes, you'll be fine, and thank you very much! You'll be glad when it's over, and all the work will be well worth it.

Using Feralis' notes as a template and learning that thing front to back and then adding in your own notes, figures, definitions, mnemonics, etc is a great idea. My notes from him started as like 30 or 40 pages and ended with about 50 pages (although I increased the font, so it was really like 120 lol). This was the biggest factor in me getting 25 on the bio section. Good luck!

Awesome, thank you! I'll keep this in mind. For some odd reason, I can't wait to take on Destroyer, lol.

 

[BlackBunny103]

Glad to know I'm not the only that spends 3+ hours to read and take notes on each Cliffs chapter .

I'm on Evolution right now. Since my exam is in less than 5weeks, do you guys recommend to just study off Feralis notes and not take my own notes while reading Cliffs?