Study Lecture or Study Textbook?

[mitrieD]

Hello. I'm a student in undergrad whose having some trouble getting better grades in science classes.

For those of you who get good grades, do you study the lectures or study the text book more? The text book is more detailed, but it seems that I don't have enough time to study both lecture and text book.


Like genetics for example, it seems that I should stop reading the textbook and start focusing more on the lectures and practice problems.

Thanks

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[youknowthedrill]

It depends on the class and the way the professor will test you. Stop by your professors office and ask them for tips on succeeding in their class. Most will let you know if they emphasize the lecture or book. It always helps to find someone who took the class and ask them if the professor tests from the lecture, the book, or both. Old tests are the best if you can get a copy from someone!

In general chemistry I took notes in class and did any assigned practice problems. I would consult the book and internet to clarify certain concepts. A little of both for my biology classes so far. My genetics professor tests completely from the lecture and practice problems. I'm in organic chemistry and I've been praying alot just to get through it. I attend lecture and take notes but the professor could teach it in another language and I'd get as much out of it. I tried reading the book and just got confused even more. I bought a couple of study guides that explain the concepts in simple terms. I'm using them and then working problems from the book.

Sorry I don't have a simple answer but so much depends on the class & professor.

 

[montreal1]

I always relied on students. I'd try and find some people who took the class before and see what they had to say. But try and find students who are applying to med...they won't try to screw you over. Applications do things to people...

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

Hello. I'm a student in undergrad whose having some trouble getting better grades in science classes.

For those of you who get good grades, do you study the lectures or study the text book more? The text book is more detailed, but it seems that I don't have enough time to study both lecture and text book.


Like genetics for example, it seems that I should stop reading the textbook and start focusing more on the lectures and practice problems.

Thanks

Questions like this have to be answered by students who've taken the class before. They are class specific, professor specific, and also school specific.

I've taken classes where all you've needed to do was study the lecture slides and lecture notes. I've also taken classes where you had to study straight out of the textbook. Then again... I've taken this one class where they had two professors teaching and for one of them you would have to study out of the textbook and the other one you'd have to study the lecture notes.

 

[tayloreve]

I always study the book + lecture notes.

Yeah its super time consuming to read 3-4 chapters for one test, but it always helps me more than just reading notes. Notes for me are usually a brief outline, not very detailed/a lot of depth so I feel I don't grasp the concept as well. But it depends on the person and the class too. I know a lot of people who never read the book, took notes in class and made A's on the test.

 

[nboogie]

It really depends on the subject/ teacher.

I've found, and this is just an observation, that if the professor has nice power point slides, they tend to test from them more than form the text book. If they are going over really conceptual things or equations, the book may do a better job of filling in the gaps.

Like previous posters have mentioned, talk to your friends that have taken the class before you. You could also ask the professor, they want you to do well.

 

[mitrieD]

Thanks for the responses guys.

After thinking about it, it seems that it depends on the professor's way of teaching.

I'm going to try studying lectures for professors who have organized notes for students to download, while for professors who mainly just teach by talking to the class I'll read the book.

 

[In2Infinity]

Man its so hard to say, it could vary so much. I have been lucky and can get away with good marks using only teachers notes/slides.

Ask people who took the course before hand, and if you have to, ask the proff.

 

[Bis-GMA111]

bio classes: slides, and then reinforce the slides by reading bits and pieces from the textbook pertaining to slides.

chem/physics/other physical sciences: practice problems

 

[FROGGBUSTER]

bio classes: slides, and then reinforce the slides by reading bits and pieces from the textbook pertaining to slides.

chem/physics/other physical sciences: practice problems

Pretty much my experience as well.

Bio: I've studied directly from lecture notes in all my bio classes except for 1, but the Professor told us up-front he would test on stuff in the book. I always bought the books though like a *******, would open it up literally once or twice during the semester.

Other sciences/math/stats: Study the text and do problems.

 

[Demps]

Hello. I'm a student in undergrad whose having some trouble getting better grades in science classes.

For those of you who get good grades, do you study the lectures or study the text book more? The text book is more detailed, but it seems that I don't have enough time to study both lecture and text book.


Like genetics for example, it seems that I should stop reading the textbook and start focusing more on the lectures and practice problems.

Thanks

Depends on how the professor writes the exams.

Personally, I never looked at any biology textbooks. I only studied lectures. What professor said during the lectures seems to be more relevant in terms of what was covered on test. Biology, I focused only on lectures.

It was a different game for chemistry/organic chemistry. Doing more problems on the textbook was the key. Reading often helped. It was also because what was covered on exams was beyond the scope of lecture alone. Chemistry courses, I had to look at textbooks.

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Hello. I'm a student in undergrad whose having some trouble getting better grades in science classes.

For those of you who get good grades, do you study the lectures or study the text book more? The text book is more detailed, but it seems that I don't have enough time to study both lecture and text book.


Like genetics for example, it seems that I should stop reading the textbook and start focusing more on the lectures and practice problems.

Thanks

Depends on the class. I always start out the semester by outlining each chapter before each scheduled class, and then take the teachers input in the lectures. This will make lectures way more meaningful and understandable in the beginning. Once you catch on to whether the teacher is more "powerpoint/note" based or "textbook based" then decide whether it is worth it to outline the chapters anymore for that class. Outlining chapters is my golden last resort if I miss a class or am having trouble keeping an A. Usually science textbooks have practice excersizes after each section in a chapter, which helps lock in key concepts. Good luck

 

[reely989]

I think I have literally read maybe a combined 100 pages of text in my time at University. It just varies depending on how you learn and how the professor teaches (and even if they test the book, you have to consider if it is worth your time to dig through it). I never really gain much by reading the book. I always found that if I paid attention in lecture, I could pretty much grasp most of the material. If I absolutely can't piece something together, I'll go to the book. But, I'm more of an auditory/visual learner too. Obviously I can't retain whole lectures after one sitting, but it makes it much easier for me to pick the information out of my notes.