valuable study habits

[vividvirgo]

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I'm in my sophomore year of college and recently decided to become a doctor and work on getting into medical school. Next semester I will be volunteering at a local hospital as well as changing majors from liberal arts to psychology, using this as a good foundation for a specialty I'm really interested in, psychiatry. Given that I have to take the med school prerequisites alongside my major requirements but when it comes to science courses, I've always had pretty mediocre grades (mainly C's). I'm really intent on getting above average grades and wanted to know if you guys could share some study habits that you guys have adopted that really helps when it comes to acing science classes. Do you guys have any special insight or advice on how to really study for courses like organic chem and upper level bio courses? TIA

 

[tennisball80]

-Set up a study schedule. Follow them closely. But, be sure to make the schedule flexible
-Use your time wisely. Many students conclude that time management is the key to succeed in undergrad years.
-See your TAs and professors regularly. Get help as soon as possible.
-Review your course materials regularly. Do not procrastinate.

 

[Algophiliac]

Well, which science courses do you have left to take?

A psychology track seems fairly similar to a liberal arts track, in my opinion, so you shouldn't have many issues studying for your major.

Now, as for the sciences, it really depends on which science classes you have left to take. But in general, for the math-based chemistry and physics classes, practice is key! Redo the problem sets over and over again until you have the concept down. For biology, set aside the necessary time to memorize the material, whether that's one hour or three hours per credit hour for your particular capabilities.

 

[jvesco22]

Well, which science courses do you have left to take?

A psychology track seems fairly similar to a liberal arts track, in my opinion, so you shouldn't have many issues studying for your major.

Now, as for the sciences, it really depends on which science classes you have left to take. But in general, for the math-based chemistry and physics classes, practice is key! Redo the problem sets over and over again until you have the concept down. For biology, set aside the necessary time to memorize the material, whether that's one hour or three hours per credit hour for your particular capabilities.

Word of Advice OP. Don't take advice from people that Fail exams

 

[tennisball80]

Word of Advice OP. Don't take advice from people that Fail exams

lol

 

[vividvirgo]

Lol . No but seriously I am really loving the advice that you guys have been providing and I really do appreciate the suggestions. So far I haven't completed any science courses yet unfortunately, not even general bio. However, I do plan on starting them next summer after I get a few psychology prereqs out of the way. If anyone else has suggestions please keep 'em coming.

 

[Algophiliac]

Word of Advice OP. Don't take advice from people that Fail exams

LOL, don't take my chemistry advice then. 😛 I'm kicking ass in bio.

 

[tennisball80]

LOL, don't take my chemistry advice then. 😛 I'm kicking ass in bio.

Did you drop that course by the way?

 

[SoFLO]

-Set up a study schedule. Follow them closely. But, be sure to make the schedule flexible
-Use your time wisely. Many students conclude that time management is the key to succeed in undergrad years.
-See your TAs and professors regularly. Get help as soon as possible.
-Review your course materials regularly. Do not procrastinate.

Basically all this. Plus another tidbit: If you live off-campus, try to study on-campus. Stay after class and go to the library to study or do work.

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

Read #3 in my signature.

 

[vividvirgo]

Read #3 in my signature.

Pointless signature and suggestion. Moving on...anybody else with helpful hints and advice?🙂

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

Pointless signature and suggestion. Moving on...anybody else with helpful hints and advice?🙂

Nothing new posted on this thread will be any more than what can be derived from common sense.

 

[Lokhtar]

Don't take your laptop with you, or you'll be on SDN/Facebook/Youtube all day. Set aside times, with breaks, and stick to it.

 

[lstone13]

I think you have to assess each class separately and decide what the best pathway for learning the material is. For instance, in biology, it is more reading intensive, so taking notes from the chapters, typing them or creating an outline, drawing diagrams, etc. might be most useful. In organic chemistry I and physics, on the other hand, it's all about understanding and applying the concepts, so constantly practicing with questions or old tests is a must. Organic chemistry II was more about memorization of the reactions, so notecards might be useful alongside practice problems.

See what I'm saying? It just depends on the class and the type of material you are studying.

Also, ditto on bringing your laptop to class. Don't do it. You don't need to type your notes for science classes, mostly because you have to write down equations that would be difficult to translate into a Microsoft Word document. Having your laptop is just a temptation to get online and check facebook or whatever.

 

[vividvirgo]

Nothing new posted on this thread will be any more than what can be derived from common sense.

And common sense told me that for someone who's never taken college level science classes before, the best way to prepare for them in advance would be to find out what to expect and how to ace these courses by listening to the suggestions of others who have already taken these courses so that I can prepare for them ahead of time...

Thanks to everyone who has given their suggestion and advice. I definitely intend on using these tips when I get ready to register for my science courses next year. You guys are amazing 😉

 

[kamikaze716]

Go to itunes store and download Wired Study Tips from Texas A&M University, you can search "wired study tips texas" in the stores search bar and it will come up. This has been invaluable.

 

[circulus vitios]

Memorize everything in biology. Read examples and do homework problems in chemistry/physics/math until it's second nature. It's not hard.

 

[Lokhtar]

Yea, I think people who ask for better study habits are usually people who don't spend the time, and or they think they spend the time, but they're on facebook half the time.

 

[cheekiemunky]

Actually, I'd have to disagree with the laptop thing. After going through last semester (and this one so far) with a laptop, I don't think I could ever go back to not using one. I can type much, much faster than I can write, and my notes end up making a lot more sense. I don't play on facebook in class; if I wanted to come to class and play around, I could easily do that without a computer (texting, etc.). Just my experience- everybody's different.

 

[lstone13]

Actually, I'd have to disagree with the laptop thing. After going through last semester (and this one so far) with a laptop, I don't think I could ever go back to not using one. I can type much, much faster than I can write, and my notes end up making a lot more sense. I don't play on facebook in class; if I wanted to come to class and play around, I could easily do that without a computer (texting, etc.). Just my experience- everybody's different.

Well, I don't dislike laptop use for all classes, just science classes. Otherwise, I completely agree. I type faster than I write, and I can make better outlines during class that way. However, I found that for science/math classes, it just doesn't make sense to use it because I can't type the equations or draw compounds, etc.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Well, I don't dislike laptop use for all classes, just science classes. Otherwise, I completely agree. I type faster than I write, and I can make better outlines during class that way. However, I found that for science/math classes, it just doesn't make sense to use it because I can't type the equations or draw compounds, etc.

Thats why i recommend getting a tablet PC. I saved up forever and purchased one over the summer for around $1000 and it has been amazing for me. I hand write all my notes on computer. I have them in my own handwriting, yet i can keep them all neat in one place if i ever have some odd time to study. I can even save lecture notes/powerpoints to my computer and write on them. If i want it to look nicer i can even convert my handwriting to text. I would highly recommend it!