Study Method~Help!!

[LaughingGas]

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So some of you might know me, some would'nt. A short background about me: I was a sub 3.0gpa student, with retakes+additional courses in informal postbac 3.8gpa so far, raised to 3.0

So so far my study methods were making a comprehensive note in pen about the reading that was going to be covered in the book (which takes me a long time) and listen to the lecture audio and take additional note and study from that note.
I'm only taking 3 classes this quarter: neurophysio, patophysio and biochem and I'm doing so poorly I have B-,B,C+ after first midterm 🙁 🙁. Just the reading amount for those classes are too much(had 10 chapter to cover for patophysio and neurophysio each)

Maybe I'm just not used to the testing style. I dont know, I thought my studying methods were ok but now that I dont get enough time to cover all the material and doing so poorly in classes Im really concerned, specially cz I need to really shoot for As or A-, nothing lower at this point.

So what I'm really asking is if you guys could share me some tips, how to study smart not hard.

Thanks in advance

 

[dmdluffy]

So some of you might know me, some would'nt. A short background about me: I was a sub 3.0gpa student, with retakes+additional courses in informal postbac 3.8gpa so far, raised to 3.0

So so far my study methods were making a comprehensive note in pen about the reading that was going to be covered in the book (which takes me a long time) and listen to the lecture audio and take additional note and study from that note.
I'm only taking 3 classes this quarter: neurophysio, patophysio and biochem and I'm doing so poorly I have B-,B,C+ after first midterm 🙁 🙁. Just the reading amount for those classes are too much(had 10 chapter to cover for patophysio and neurophysio each)

Maybe I'm just not used to the testing style. I dont know, I thought my studying methods were ok but now that I dont get enough time to cover all the material and doing so poorly in classes Im really concerned, specially cz I need to really shoot for As or A-, nothing lower at this point.

So what I'm really asking is if you guys could share me some tips, how to study smart not hard.

Thanks in advance

Your professor doesn't offer any materials/insight into things your expected to know? What kind of learner are you?

 

[Duriel]

Do you use flashcards?

 

[LaughingGas]

Your professor doesn't offer any materials/insight into things your expected to know? What kind of learner are you?

Two class with same professor: goes through lecture but lets say given chapter 1 and 2, he starts the lecture on phase and when there is only 20 minutes left , he just rushes through the rest of lecture slides. On the quizzes and test however, so far with other professors its been either comprehensive tests or just facts. This professor he asks some comprehensive stuff and random detail question. I guess I really suck at extracting the "right material" from the book, but both book have so much detail that I don't know whatkind of detail he wants us to know.
Other class, pretty much same thing, we were asked for questions about gchem and ochem and bio, so some of the stuff people had forgotten or couldn't remember.
Yeah. I'm a venting out but at this point im soo frustrated 🙁
I'm mix of visual and auditory learner, but more visual I guess.

I've used flashcards before for ochem (definitely very helpful), but I don't know as I said I guess its either I have problem with my reading speed and extracting information or just extract the wrong detail.

 

[sacapuntas]

And the prof. doesn't supply any type of study guide, correct?

Do you know people who have taken these classes in previous semesters?

 

[dmdluffy]

Well if you know your strength is in visual/audio learning, reading the book is probably pointless. Maybe you can get a recorder and record lectures so you can listen to it on playback. Books tend to have more detail than is necessary for classes so this way you can focus on what he says. Flashcards are good (or depending on the class, some kind of diagram? pictures? i.e. like pathways) would be better. Reading the book is time consuming and has lots of detail that unless you happen to be the kind of learner that learns best from purely reading. Does the prof has power point slides? It can be another visual way to learn.

 

[sacapuntas]

Well if you know your strength is in visual/audio learning, reading the book is probably pointless. Maybe you can get a recorder and record lectures so you can listen to it on playback. Books tend to have more detail than is necessary for classes so this way you can focus on what he says. Flashcards are good (or depending on the class, some kind of diagram? pictures? i.e. like pathways) would be better. Reading the book is time consuming and has lots of detail that unless you happen to be the kind of learner that learns best from purely reading. Does the prof has power point slides? It can be another visual way to learn.

This is so true. This realization is how I went from an average student to a straight A student. You need to find out in some manner what the teacher expects you to learn from the class. The textbook has no effect on your grade. For example, I haven't opened my O-chem textbook the entire semester because it muddies the water and the professor only wants us to know what she teaches. However, in my biology class the teacher pulls exam questions straight out of the book so I read every word of every chapter.

Your goal needs to be learning from your previous exams on what type of material your teacher expects you to know and how they develop questions. Find out if there are sources they are pulled from or see if the professor is even willing to give you old tests from previous classes (believe it or not I have professors that are willing to provide this if asked).

 

[sacapuntas]

Oh, one other thing I have found to be very helpful...I am sure you have heard it before as it is a common suggestion, but teach what you know to other people. This really cements concepts for me personally, though it may help other people to a lesser extent.

 

[LaughingGas]

Thank you dmdluffy and sacapuntas
yeah he doesnt provide study guide. I'll try studying mainly from lecture and use the book as supplement.
I know dental school will be wayy harder than now, but I'm even on the vergue of dropping all three classes and just study for the DAT. bad idea probably hu?

 

[dmdluffy]

Dropping would probably be bad haha. Unless they don't show up then by all means! You can do it though, just keep at it.

 

[LaughingGas]

Dropping would probably be bad haha. Unless they don't show up then by all means! You can do it though, just keep at it.

Thanks for the support 🙂 I guess Ill relax for now and just study "smarter"