I HATE cell and molecular biology. Help!

[Ashley1989]

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Hey SDN,

So the title says it all 🙁 I am so miserable. I really despise our textbook and our teacher is really nice but the lecture isn't very helpful because they essentially monotone go over a powerpoint from the book and sigh every other sentence. I swear they're a really nice person but it makes it even harder. I am so miserable in this class, but it's a requirement to graduate so I'm determined to not withdraw because I don't want to have to redo it later, and can't afford a W. I have an exam tomorrow and I can feel my eyes glazing over whenever I make a good solid effort to study.

There's a few things I would like to ask:

1. Does anyone have any good resources for Cell and Molecular Biology? Any websites that helped, reference books, etc. I am getting desperate. I've tried Khan already..

2. Does the fact that I really don't like this material a red flag for me as a bio major? I was going to take biochem next fall (it's not required to graduate, but for the MCAT and my advisor recommended it) and I've heard they're similar. Should I stay far away from that class then? It's been really worrying me this whole quarter.

3. I've noticed that every quarter now I love all my classes but for some reason really dislike one. I don't know if that's just the way it's ended up schedule wise or if I'm getting into a negative habit of doing this. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas on how to work with classes that you cannot stand? I love all my other classes, but my solid dislike for this class and plant biology last spring is making me nervous.

4. Please tell me I'm not the only one, or please Internet slap me out of this pity party.

Thanks everyone

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Why don't you like it?

 

[Doctor Strange]

4. Please tell me I'm not the only one, or please Internet slap me out of this pity party.

Thanks everyone

Don't worry, I hated molec, too.

 

[Geebeejay]

Hey SDN,

So the title says it all 🙁 I am so miserable. I really despise our textbook and our teacher is really nice but the lecture isn't very helpful because they essentially monotone go over a powerpoint from the book and sigh every other sentence. I swear they're a really nice person but it makes it even harder. I am so miserable in this class, but it's a requirement to graduate so I'm determined to not withdraw because I don't want to have to redo it later, and can't afford a W. I have an exam tomorrow and I can feel my eyes glazing over whenever I make a good solid effort to study.

There's a few things I would like to ask:

1. Does anyone have any good resources for Cell and Molecular Biology? Any websites that helped, reference books, etc. I am getting desperate. I've tried Khan already..

2. Does the fact that I really don't like this material a red flag for me as a bio major? I was going to take biochem next fall (it's not required to graduate, but for the MCAT and my advisor recommended it) and I've heard they're similar. Should I stay far away from that class then? It's been really worrying me this whole quarter.

3. I've noticed that every quarter now I love all my classes but for some reason really dislike one. I don't know if that's just the way it's ended up schedule wise or if I'm getting into a negative habit of doing this. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas on how to work with classes that you cannot stand? I love all my other classes, but my solid dislike for this class and plant biology last spring is making me nervous.

4. Please tell me I'm not the only one, or please Internet slap me out of this pity party.

Thanks everyone

Hmm, biochemistry was a pre-req for molecular cell bio when I took the course, and I actually found it very interesting (I found biochem interesting too) so I don't know if we're talking about the same course.

On the chance that we are, I really struggled with the concepts in this class initially, and then I started studying with a group, and it became a lot better. Get a few like-minded people together, and start going through the book - especially the figures and pictures, and try to make sure you know what each one means. Until I did this, I struggled with the class, but eventually found it very interesting, and walked away with an A-.

Most of the class started studying this way eventually, and we had pretty much the entire class of 30 people studying (however, I took a graduate section) for the final together.

 

[cheechootrain]

Hey SDN,

So the title says it all 🙁 I am so miserable. I really despise our textbook and our teacher is really nice but the lecture isn't very helpful because they essentially monotone go over a powerpoint from the book and sigh every other sentence. I swear they're a really nice person but it makes it even harder. I am so miserable in this class, but it's a requirement to graduate so I'm determined to not withdraw because I don't want to have to redo it later, and can't afford a W. I have an exam tomorrow and I can feel my eyes glazing over whenever I make a good solid effort to study.

There's a few things I would like to ask:

1. Does anyone have any good resources for Cell and Molecular Biology? Any websites that helped, reference books, etc. I am getting desperate. I've tried Khan already..

2. Does the fact that I really don't like this material a red flag for me as a bio major? I was going to take biochem next fall (it's not required to graduate, but for the MCAT and my advisor recommended it) and I've heard they're similar. Should I stay far away from that class then? It's been really worrying me this whole quarter.

3. I've noticed that every quarter now I love all my classes but for some reason really dislike one. I don't know if that's just the way it's ended up schedule wise or if I'm getting into a negative habit of doing this. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas on how to work with classes that you cannot stand? I love all my other classes, but my solid dislike for this class and plant biology last spring is making me nervous.

4. Please tell me I'm not the only one, or please Internet slap me out of this pity party.

Thanks everyone

Well, I found the material very repetitive from intro biology so it wasn't as difficult as others might think. But, it does take time to memorize all the information. I don't know what to say, but you need to find a better way to memorize the material. EPA, receptors, telomeres, etc.

1. Why don't you use the book's website? I've found flashcards and practice quizzes that the book's website provided that helped me out.

2. Not really. There are always aspects that you won't like. But you need to force or rather, train yourself to like it. Think positive thoughts and the material might come easier.

3. I've found that the professor usually determines if I'll like the class. As one of my mentor's used to say, you don't take the class, you take the professor. So depending on the teaching patterns and abilities of the professor, you'll have to adapt and learn to deal with it. I also found working with other people who are experiencing or taking the same class helps. You guys can help each other on the homework and problems.

4. You're not the only one. I remember when I burned out a couple of times during my undergrad. Go do something fun. Watch a movie. Have protected sex. Whatever floats your boat, just don't get in trouble with the law and you'll be fine.

Good luck! And remember, you need to have something that you can release all your stress. Mine is downhill mountain biking and lifting.

🙂

 

[Ashley1989]

Thanks everyone,

Geebeejay that's a good suggestion thank you.

The reason why I hate it so much is that it's extremely hard for me to grasp conceptually. It's strange because I can pick up physiology in the drop of a hat, but with this class it feels like I'm just running into a brick wall with the concepts every time.

Also, I'm not sure if its a big deal, but ochem was a prerequisite but I was able to get an override because I'm taking ochem this quarter too. Does taking ochem before make a big difference?

 

[Ashley1989]

Well, I found the material very repetitive from intro biology so it wasn't as difficult as others might think. But, it does take time to memorize all the information. I don't know what to say, but you need to find a better way to memorize the material. EPA, receptors, telomeres, etc.

1. Why don't you use the book's website? I've found flashcards and practice quizzes that the book's website provided that helped me out.

2. Not really. There are always aspects that you won't like. But you need to force or rather, train yourself to like it. Think positive thoughts and the material might come easier.

3. I've found that the professor usually determines if I'll like the class. As one of my mentor's used to say, you don't take the class, you take the professor. So depending on the teaching patterns and abilities of the professor, you'll have to adapt and learn to deal with it. I also found working with other people who are experiencing or taking the same class helps. You guys can help each other on the homework and problems.

4. You're not the only one. I remember when I burned out a couple of times during my undergrad. Go do something fun. Watch a movie. Have protected sex. Whatever floats your boat, just don't get in trouble with the law and you'll be fine.

Good luck! And remember, you need to have something that you can release all your stress. Mine is downhill mountain biking and lifting.

🙂

Thanks so much 🙂 it's so nice to know I'm not the only one and is a huge help. I just feel down in the ditches right now. 🙁

 

[Doctor Strange]

Thanks everyone,

Geebeejay that's a good suggestion thank you.

The reason why I hate it so much is that it's extremely hard for me to grasp conceptually. It's strange because I can pick up physiology in the drop of a hat, but with this class it feels like I'm just running into a brick wall with the concepts every time.

Also, I'm not sure if its a big deal, but ochem was a prerequisite but I was able to get an override because I'm taking ochem this quarter too. Does taking ochem before make a big difference?

Never took cell bio, but I did find molec to be a little difficult, as well. I think it really helps me to draw things out. Conceptually, it's all very hard to grasp in your head, but if you draw out the processes (e.g., transcription enzymes, DNA replication complex, etc.), it makes a little more sense.

Good luck.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Never took cell bio, but I did find molec to be a little difficult, as well. I think it really helps me to draw things out. Conceptually, it's all very hard to grasp in your head, but if you draw out the processes (e.g., transcription enzymes, DNA replication complex, etc.), it makes a little more sense.

Good luck.

Mhm, +1 on drawing.

 

[Ashley1989]

Mhm, +1 on drawing.

Now that you guys have mentioned it, I haven't been drawing anything I've just been writing out notes and color coordinating them. I'm going to try this tonight. Thank you everyone! It helps to be encouraged 🙂

 

[Goobs]

Now that you guys have mentioned it, I haven't been drawing anything I've just been writing out notes and color coordinating them. I'm going to try this tonight. Thank you everyone! It helps to be encouraged 🙂

If it helps at all I thought cell and molecular bio was really boring at first too, but by the end of the quarter you see how everything you've learned intersects with each other and it gives you a whole new level of appreciation. This was one of the last classes I took at my undergrad, and it seemed like a really good way to finish off my degree.

 

[circulus vitios]

The key to cell and molecular biology: memorize, memorize, memorize...and memorize some more. It wasn't a very conceptual class. Really interesting stuff, though.

 

[typicalindian]

 

[Geebeejay]

The key to cell and molecular biology: memorize, memorize, memorize...and memorize some more. It wasn't a very conceptual class. Really interesting stuff, though.

I actually thought it was extremely conceptual. The only thing I memorized were concepts I just couldn't thoroughly understand, and maybe some new terms, but there weren't very many.

 

[487806]

Hey SDN,

So the title says it all 🙁 I am so miserable. I really despise our textbook and our teacher is really nice but the lecture isn't very helpful because they essentially monotone go over a powerpoint from the book and sigh every other sentence. I swear they're a really nice person but it makes it even harder. I am so miserable in this class, but it's a requirement to graduate so I'm determined to not withdraw because I don't want to have to redo it later, and can't afford a W. I have an exam tomorrow and I can feel my eyes glazing over whenever I make a good solid effort to study.

There's a few things I would like to ask:

1. Does anyone have any good resources for Cell and Molecular Biology? Any websites that helped, reference books, etc. I am getting desperate. I've tried Khan already..

2. Does the fact that I really don't like this material a red flag for me as a bio major? I was going to take biochem next fall (it's not required to graduate, but for the MCAT and my advisor recommended it) and I've heard they're similar. Should I stay far away from that class then? It's been really worrying me this whole quarter.

3. I've noticed that every quarter now I love all my classes but for some reason really dislike one. I don't know if that's just the way it's ended up schedule wise or if I'm getting into a negative habit of doing this. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Any ideas on how to work with classes that you cannot stand? I love all my other classes, but my solid dislike for this class and plant biology last spring is making me nervous.

4. Please tell me I'm not the only one, or please Internet slap me out of this pity party.

Thanks everyone

At least it's 100x more useful than ecology/enviro science/vertebrate anatomy etc..

In all seriousness, review the lecture notes, see the textbook, do practice problems, ask others for help, visit your professor at office hours, etc.