Just Starting

[Dental<3Hopeless]

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I've just started studying for the DAT and I'm still trying to find a good schedule that works for me but I've been somewhat productive the last couple days so hopefully I'll be set soon. My problem is while studying for bio I'm using Cliffs and I was originally taking notes writing down pretty much everything but it was taking too long, was too boring, and I was losing motivation. So now I just started reading it and understanding it without taking notes and its helping me get through it faster and I feel like I understand it better this way too. But everyone I talk to says to take notes because as you read more material, you forget old material and can use the notes. Since this isnt working for me, does anyone have any other suggestion on how to go about the dry bio section of Cliffs?
I'm reading 3 chapters, then re-reading the 3 chapters, then moving on to the next 3 chapters, then re-reading those 3, etc. Then when I finish the book I'll go through it one more time quickly straight through. I'm also watching some of Chads videos that relate to the topic in the chapter I'm reading at the time.

 

[biomolecmed]

Usually it is best if you go over Feralis and Cliffs a few times. Each time you go over it you learn something new. You'll see. Then, once it all seems very familiar and you think you learned it all, try answering questions in Destroyer and Schaum's outlines. If you get most of them correct, then you learned well.

 

[LaurHei]

I would not focus so much on taking notes that in reality you will probably never look at again. Spend the time skimming over different resources and more importantly.. Doing practice problems! Qvault is great for practicing the bio section. I did this, and whenever I would get multiple questions wrong on a topic I would go back to feralis or my Campbell's textbook and teach myself. Ended up getting a 28 on the bio section. Just cover as much material and as many practice problems as you can.. The more exposure to random questions, the better you will be prepared for DAT bio. Good luck!

 

[Dental<3Hopeless]

Thanks biomolecmed and LaurHei. 28 is an awesome score for the bio section and something I'm aiming for especially because of my low GPA. How many times did you read feralis before starting practice problems?

 

[LaurHei]

I skimmed it once and moved on to qvault and would supplement with videos/textbooks after going through a test. I also have a pretty solid bio background since I did a masters and am currently teaching intro cell bio so you may have to go through a few more times... But like I said. Get started with practice questions ASAP, even while you're reviewing. It can't hurt.

 

[Dental<3Hopeless]

Thanks!