Microbiology Troubles/ Always having to dig myself out of a hole...

[Tennis Guy]

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So, it seems that this semester is going fine so far except for microbio... I got a D on the first test and failed the second test. I scored almost 20 points below average on the first test and lets not even talk about the second test. The second test is a drop, thank God... however, I'm stuck with the first grade. It doesn't seem an A in the class will most likely be feasible, but I will try my best... a B in the class is more realistic though, which I would definitely be fine with. The professor has podcasts for the powerpoints that we are supposed to listen to for the chapters/lectures that we will be tested on.

So, I've been listening to them... it just seems that I'm not absorbing/connecting the material like I should. It is really frustrating because I don't seem to remember ANYTHING... this last test totally kicked my ass. Also, I think that I may be studying too much actually and not being as efficient as I think I am. This stems from extreme anxiety of wanting to do well. Sometimes, I feel like I'm listening to the podcasts... and just staring at the powerpoints and not absorbing any material at all. The information seems to just evaporate from my brain...

I have two more tests left, so I'm looking forward and never backward. Do any of you have any tips on how to do well in microbiology? I'm really tired of digging myself out of holes in classes... it's frustrating and makes me so bitter/angry/frustrated sometimes, but what can you do? Do any of you guys have to dig yourselves out of holes in classes often? I try to prevent this, but it seems like it's really inevitable sometimes.

 

[thelullaby99]

So, it seems that this semester is going fine so far except for microbio... I got a D on the first test and failed the second test. The second test is a drop, thank God... however, I'm stuck with the first grade. It doesn't seem an A in the class will most likely be feasible, but I will try my best... a B in the class is more realistic though, which I would definitely be fine with. The professor has podcasts for the powerpoints that we are supposed to listen to for the chapters/lectures that we will be tested on.

So, I've been listening to them... it just seems that I'm not absorbing/connecting the material like I should. It is really frustrating because I don't seem to remember ANYTHING... this last test totally kicked my ass. Also, I think that I may be studying too much actually and not being as efficient as I think I am. This stems from extreme anxiety of wanting to do well. Sometimes, I feel like I'm listening to the podcasts... and just staring at the powerpoints and not absorbing any material at all. The information seems to just evaporate from my brain...

I have two more tests left, so I'm looking forward and never backward. Do any of you have any tips on how to do well in microbiology? I'm really tired of digging myself out of holes in classes... it's frustrating and makes me so bitter/angry/frustrated sometimes, but what can you do? Do any of you guys have to dig yourselves out of holes in classes often? I try to prevent this, but it seems like it's really inevitable sometimes.

Form a study group where your friends can test you on the materials! I also had a rough micro class up until the first test, got a DC. My prof was really helpful that she would let students come in during office hours and test their knowledge. I made my own lecture powerpoint after the first test, scouring resources from textbooks and internet. It took a lot of my time, and I basically had to teach myself microbio. Definitely talk to your prof if you're struggling!

 

[GimpGenius]

A few thoughts:

1) You seem to be zoning out, and that lack of focus isn't helping. Are you taking breaks while you're studying? It's unllikely you'll retain all the information in one sitting, so get up, stretch, do whacky-jacks... whatever. Just don't sit there and try to cram the information in if your body's working against you. On a related note, getting out of the house/apartment/dorm/cardboard box and having a social life can do wonders for the overly neurotic pre-med.

2) As far as study groups are concerned... don't have them "test you." Teach them the material. It's all right to look at the powerpoints for minutae if you have to; but you should be able to bang out the main ideas of the chapter without any study aids. If you can teach it so your peers can understand it, you've probably got a good handle on the subject matter. Once that fundamental knowledge is in your head, you can incorporate the details.

3) You didn't mention meeting with your professor. If you haven't done that, do it ASAP. You're not paying all that tuition to have powerpoints read to you a few hours per week; but if you don't ask for help, they're not going to know you need/want it.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[maybemed2013]

Well I have not taken general microbiology, I will give you a few tips.

1. Maybe you are not an audio learner, so stop listening to the powerpoints and READ them and read your book OR while listening repeat what the professor is saying, like when your are listening to music or write it down as he is talking.
2. The web is full with FREE sources, just type the topic you dont understand and there will be tons of articles, videos, etc on it.

 

[madsheep]

When I was in micro me and a friend used to quiz each other back and forth, literally all the time. We both tried to stump each other with questions we thought the other couldn't answer (that were still in our material). It was a game, but we spent so much time doing it we memorized the content. I think the fact you could be smug when they missed or when you got one right made it much easier to learn the stuff.

The only down side of this is your non-premed friends won't want to be around you if they know you might start breaking out the micro quiz game during dinner.😛

 

[Essene]

What areas do you seem to have trouble with? Identifying that (for those who you want to give advice) is paramount.

I've found that different study methods work best for me depending on what the topic is. In any form of biology, you have to utilize rote memory (cytology for instance) as well as use that rote memory to logically reason through a question. I remember one such question about the proton electrochemical potential barrier. It was nifty because I had to think and not just remember.

Is it a rote learning versus critical think problem?

 

[EnergyDrink]

What kind of microbiology class is it? Is it the medical school style bug parade? Is it about molecular genetics? Environmental? Introduction?

 

[Tennis Guy]

A few thoughts:

1) You seem to be zoning out, and that lack of focus isn't helping. Are you taking breaks while you're studying? It's unllikely you'll retain all the information in one sitting, so get up, stretch, do whacky-jacks... whatever. Just don't sit there and try to cram the information in if your body's working against you. On a related note, getting out of the house/apartment/dorm/cardboard box and having a social life can do wonders for the overly neurotic pre-med.

2) As far as study groups are concerned... don't have them "test you." Teach them the material. It's all right to look at the powerpoints for minutae if you have to; but you should be able to bang out the main ideas of the chapter without any study aids. If you can teach it so your peers can understand it, you've probably got a good handle on the subject matter. Once that fundamental knowledge is in your head, you can incorporate the details.

3) You didn't mention meeting with your professor. If you haven't done that, do it ASAP. You're not paying all that tuition to have powerpoints read to you a few hours per week; but if you don't ask for help, they're not going to know you need/want it.

Good luck! 🙂

Yes, I agree with all of what you said. I really do think that I may sometimes try to study too much in one day and not be as effective in absorbing the material as I want. I study for an hour at a time and take a break in between for at least ten minutes. As far as study groups go, I usually meet with my friend and go over the slides every week, and I also meet some other friends and him the day before the test to review. I also have met with my professor and she gave me a lot of tips on how to study and do well in the class!

What areas do you seem to have trouble with? Identifying that (for those who you want to give advice) is paramount.

I've found that different study methods work best for me depending on what the topic is. In any form of biology, you have to utilize rote memory (cytology for instance) as well as use that rote memory to logically reason through a question. I remember one such question about the proton electrochemical potential barrier. It was nifty because I had to think and not just remember.

Is it a rote learning versus critical think problem?

My problem seems to be knowing major concepts and applying them to multiple choice/ short answer questions. Also, so much information is being thrown at me at once, so I don't really know how to remember it all. I tried to memorize it all, but that didn't work well obviously. I've tried to visualize and connect the material, which seems to be working better, but the problem is remembering/recalling all this information and making it stick in my brain!

What kind of microbiology class is it? Is it the medical school style bug parade? Is it about molecular genetics? Environmental? Introduction?

This is an undergrad intro microbiology course.

 

[Monocles]

Are we in the same class? Please let me know if your professor's name starts with a B.

Anyhow, I'm sort of in the same boat with microbiology this semester. I've found that one thing which tends to help is follow the syllabus and read the textbook before the corresponding lectures. That way when the professor is talking, everything makes sense and you can tell yourself "oh yeah, I've seen that before" and clarify what you didn't understand in the readings.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[At0mic]

To kind of reiterate what Monocles said...reading the textbook before going to class really does make a difference. Even just skimming it is enough. Helps for just about any class; I do it for orgo. 🙂

Also, take a bit of time after class to go over the material you learned during lecture. It doesn't have to be for a long time, maybe half an hour if that. It'll help the material stick. I know the last thing you probably want to do after microbio is more microbio, but I know this helps a lot of people (me included).

 

[orthomyxo]

Go and talk to your professor to try and figure out why you're not doing well. Maybe you can go over the exam and get suggestions on how to study better.

 

[ljpm8224]

If you aren't getting it in your brain via one method (professor's lecture), try another resource.

Things to try:
- powerpoints from lecture
- audio record professor's lecture, listen to it again at home afterwards taking notes on things you've missed
- read the textbook chapter that corresponds with the lecture. lots of people have success doing this BEFORE the class
- buy study guides that correspond with your class
- this is a sort of *sneaky* thing to do, but if you're not vibing with your prof's powerpoint or lecture style, go on your school's website, find the webpage of another prof who teaches the same class (or even the same class at a different campus location of your university), and download all their copies of the lecture slides. you might like their style better or they might have better diagrams, explanations, etc. This helped me get through anatomy last semester with an A when our prof was kinda schizo....
- for micro, this is a GREAT book: Clinically Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple. It really is ridiculously simple. 😀 So, go order that on amazon and slog your way through each section that corresponds with what you guys are doing in your class.
- do you guys have a wet lab? dry lab? how prepared are you going into the labs? it sucks, but really try to read through and attempt to understand whatever labs you're doing that week in advance. that way you can utilize time well when you're actually in the lab and have your samples out in front of you... and are not frantically looking through the lab manual trying to understand wtf you're supposed to be doing with the freaking agar 😉 also, figure out when you have open lab hours so that way you don't have to feel like you're rushing during the labs.

Micro is all about repetitive exposure to the material. Try a bunch of different sources... the more exposure you have to various input methods, the more you'll remember and make connections and associations to things.

Oh- finally.... when you're struggling or behind in a class and it's midway through the semester... DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START FROM THE BEGINNING AND CATCH UP!! It's a hamster wheel and you'll never be comfortable with how far you get in the material, bound to feel overwhelmed, hopeless and give up. Just, jump in where you guys are in class now. Do THOSE subjects first. Then, if you have time later, once you're caught up with everything now, THEN delve into things you've missed earlier. But starting from square one when you're behind is never a good strategy.

Good luck- you can do it, you've still got time this semester I bet!

 

[Tennis Guy]

Are we in the same class? Please let me know if your professor's name starts with a B.

Anyhow, I'm sort of in the same boat with microbiology this semester. I've found that one thing which tends to help is follow the syllabus and read the textbook before the corresponding lectures. That way when the professor is talking, everything makes sense and you can tell yourself "oh yeah, I've seen that before" and clarify what you didn't understand in the readings.

Good luck! 🙂

Yea, I am reading the powerpoints, before I listen to the podcasts (unfortunately, she doesn't go over the powerpoints in class 🙁). The reason being is because we only do an in class activity for class and have to come to class once a week for it. She posts her podcasts online and it is our responsibility to listen to them after class time. This is a new method of teaching she's using and we're the "guinea pigs" sadly. My teacher's name doesn't start with a B unfortunately lol.

To kind of reiterate what Monocles said...reading the textbook before going to class really does make a difference. Even just skimming it is enough. Helps for just about any class; I do it for orgo. 🙂

Also, take a bit of time after class to go over the material you learned during lecture. It doesn't have to be for a long time, maybe half an hour if that. It'll help the material stick. I know the last thing you probably want to do after microbio is more microbio, but I know this helps a lot of people (me included).

I've been trying to do this as well. It is pretty hard to have the will power to do it you're right. Since we don't have actual lectures, I'm reading the powerpoints before listening to the podcasts, and this is helping the material stick to my brain much better than the method I was using before.

Go and talk to your professor to try and figure out why you're not doing well. Maybe you can go over the exam and get suggestions on how to study better.

I have talked to my professor, and she gave me a lot of tips/advice to help me succeed in the class! I need to go over my last exam with her, so I'll do that after Spring Break.

If you aren't getting it in your brain via one method (professor's lecture), try another resource.

Things to try:
- powerpoints from lecture
- audio record professor's lecture, listen to it again at home afterwards taking notes on things you've missed
- read the textbook chapter that corresponds with the lecture. lots of people have success doing this BEFORE the class
- buy study guides that correspond with your class
- this is a sort of *sneaky* thing to do, but if you're not vibing with your prof's powerpoint or lecture style, go on your school's website, find the webpage of another prof who teaches the same class (or even the same class at a different campus location of your university), and download all their copies of the lecture slides. you might like their style better or they might have better diagrams, explanations, etc. This helped me get through anatomy last semester with an A when our prof was kinda schizo....
- for micro, this is a GREAT book: Clinically Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple. It really is ridiculously simple. 😀 So, go order that on amazon and slog your way through each section that corresponds with what you guys are doing in your class.
- do you guys have a wet lab? dry lab? how prepared are you going into the labs? it sucks, but really try to read through and attempt to understand whatever labs you're doing that week in advance. that way you can utilize time well when you're actually in the lab and have your samples out in front of you... and are not frantically looking through the lab manual trying to understand wtf you're supposed to be doing with the freaking agar 😉 also, figure out when you have open lab hours so that way you don't have to feel like you're rushing during the labs.

Micro is all about repetitive exposure to the material. Try a bunch of different sources... the more exposure you have to various input methods, the more you'll remember and make connections and associations to things.

Oh- finally.... when you're struggling or behind in a class and it's midway through the semester... DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START FROM THE BEGINNING AND CATCH UP!! It's a hamster wheel and you'll never be comfortable with how far you get in the material, bound to feel overwhelmed, hopeless and give up. Just, jump in where you guys are in class now. Do THOSE subjects first. Then, if you have time later, once you're caught up with everything now, THEN delve into things you've missed earlier. But starting from square one when you're behind is never a good strategy.

Good luck- you can do it, you've still got time this semester I bet!

Thank you for all the tips/advice... I really appreciate it! Yes I know... it's never a good idea to start from square one... thank goodness I won't be tested on the material from the past two tests again... at least for this class lol... 😀

 

[Morsetlis]

Microbiology is another language. You learn languages by repetition and talking with people... so that's how I do it. Find a buddy and swap microbes ;p

 

[Essene]

I loved microbio!

I, too, scored lower than usual on the first test I took the course over the summer; so that added some stress. I have a friend on Tumblr. Her name is ea, sleep, breathe bio. I didn't understand the brunt of her moniker until I took this course. Yes, there will be harder classes to come; but the methods I used in bio I, chem, bio II didn't work for microbio.

There was an upside to taking it over the summer though... I got to solely focus on only two courses which helped. I would study quite often so that helped.

Also, maybe it's just me, but watching shows like House and Grey's have really helped me. I remember an episode where Dr. Chase suggested that the supposedly incurable disease was as a result of prions. It was a week after we covered that topic. Seeing it applied to the scientific practice helped it stick.