Studying for Cell Biology

[Hogfan10]

I'm not sure how difficult it is for most people, but I have had several people tell me it is harder than organic chem. I'm in it right now and I feel like no matter how much I read and study that I can't keep up with how freaking fast we are going through material.

This is my first biology class other than principles, and I'm having a tough time adjusting. I got a little behind on my reading one weekend and playing catch up isn't even seeming feasible. I don't feel like it should be this hard.

He gives us somewhat helpful power points and goes a chapter a day, its a T TH class. Told us to know everything he talked about for the test which a ridiculous amount of info. And my book is just loaded with brute facts, almost too much information to even seem helpful.

Anyone have any advice on how to study for this class?

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[IL Pre Med]

I don't know why you're taking Cell Bio before Bio 1 & 2. You need a good foundation in biology before attempting this class. I had a few biology classes under my belt before I took it. As far as studying, it's all content and memorization, just do whatever you can to get the information to stick.

 

[Wubbles]

I don't know why you're taking Cell Bio before Bio 1 & 2. You need a good foundation in biology before attempting this class. I had a few biology classes under my belt before I took it. As far as studying, it's all content and memorization, just do whatever you can to get the information to stick.

He said he took Principles of Biology which at my school is the year-long gen bio course. I'm assuming its the same at his.

 

[chillaxbro]

In my experience with biology classes, skip the textbook and just take notes on what he says in lectures and study that.

 

[Lady Netter]

How are your tests structured? We had essays tests where it was basically "Explain this process." And then we had a full blank sheet of paper where you wrote like a madman for the next 30 minutes because then you had to answer one more. If your tests are like this, you need to basically memorize everything. If it's multiple choices, then you just need to know things on a recognition level. Have you had biochem? I think cell bio would probably be hard if you haven't had biochem yet.

Does he only test things that are in his notes? If so, only read the book if you need clarification. Otherwise, just stick to the class notes.

I liked to keep a running list of pathways. Every single time we learned a new pathway, I wrote it down somewhere separate for reference. I'm a flashcard person, so I did flashcards. Anki is a great computer program for flashcards that makes making them easier, so I would check it out if you are a flashcard person.

There's no easy way out of this one. Cell bio is definitely one of the hardest classes we had at my undergrad,in terms of bio upper levels. Everyone agreed that it was harder or at least on the same level as ochem. It probably is supposed to be as hard as you think it is. It's going to require a lot more time and effort than other classes. But it's completely and totally doable! Just think of it as practicing for med school 😛 Learn some good study habits now so you can use them in med school.

 

[IL Pre Med]

He said he took Principles of Biology which at my school is the year-long gen bio course. I'm assuming its the same at his.

Principles was a semester long course for non science majors at my school. Wasn't even 200 level, so OP should clarify how much science background he has prior to cell.

 

[Cambino]

I'm not sure how difficult it is for most people, but I have had several people tell me it is harder than organic chem. I'm in it right now and I feel like no matter how much I read and study that I can't keep up with how freaking fast we are going through material.

This is my first biology class other than principles, and I'm having a tough time adjusting. I got a little behind on my reading one weekend and playing catch up isn't even seeming feasible. I don't feel like it should be this hard.

He gives us somewhat helpful power points and goes a chapter a day, its a T TH class. Told us to know everything he talked about for the test which a ridiculous amount of info. And my book is just loaded with brute facts, almost too much information to even seem helpful.

Anyone have any advice on how to study for this class?

I'm a biochemistry major with honors general bio under my belt, and I found cell bio to still be pretty hard. lol

 

[WhovianDO]

I had cell bio after the gen bio 1&2, and a semester of biochem. I only used the book for clarification and just studied from lecture notes. Our exams were combined essay and mc questions. I made an A in the class.

Like an above poster said, it's mostly memorization other than a few pathways.

 

[amad01]

Cell bio was probably the most difficult class I've had so far. I would say it's harder than O-chem. It was difficult because there was so much material to memorize. I read each chapter in the book at least twice in order to really understand what was going on. Read once for overall concept, then second time more of a skim through to re-teach it to myself.

 

[Hogfan10]

I have only taken Principles (1 semester) and Chem 1 and I'm in Chem 2 right now. The tests are 100% multiple choice as we have 350+ in our class. He was very vague on what to study, I guess I'll just have to see how this test goes tomorrow. And hope I don't bomb it.

 

[911 Turbo]

It's a pure memorization class... Just roll your head on the book for a few hours and you should be good to go.

 

[MedPR]

I found cell bio to be harder than organic. You pretty much have to slam your head into the book until the text seeps into your brain.

 

[Izzyi]

You should have a good foundation in biology; not discrete info but you must know the concepts.

As for cell bio, I found it easier to understand how the processes work. Use analogies if needed: ex. if you like to play video games, turn autophagy, cell repair, etc. into analogies of war games. Whatever floats your boat. Bio can only become dry and dreary if you want it to be dry and dreary. I found that changing my approach and perspective helps. Be more enthusiastic in approaching it than a beaver to a log.

Cell bio is more like a system of knowledge than memorization. Learn the system by learning how each of the components interact with each other. study hard. study smart.