What to do when biology is my worst subject

[jtsmalls]

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So I'm kind of sucking at Biology right now. PS is my best subject and Biology is my worst. I don't really know what to do.

I was originally doing Kaplan for content review. I wanted (and needed) a better conceptual understanding for bio, so I got TPR and EK review books too. TPR is very comprehensive, so I'm doing that along with my Kaplan course material. The EK bio review isn't really any better than Kaplan's book (IMO), so I don't use it that often. I do listen to EK Audio Osmosis. But I still need something else.

Does anyone have any suggestions for interactive websites that have tutorials, or maybe some videos/dvds I could try? Maybe if I find something more visual it will help me with some of these concepts. My level of comprehension on some of the topics is very primitive and I'm unable to retain any details.

 

[Hafez]

So I'm kind of sucking at Biology right now. PS is my best subject and Biology is my worst. I don't really know what to do.

I was originally doing Kaplan for content review. I wanted (and needed) a better conceptual understanding for bio, so I got TPR and EK review books too. TPR is very comprehensive, so I'm doing that along with my Kaplan course material. The EK bio review isn't really any better than Kaplan's book (IMO), so I don't use it that often. I do listen to EK Audio Osmosis. But I still need something else.

Does anyone have any suggestions for interactive websites that have tutorials, or maybe some videos/dvds I could try? Maybe if I find something more visual it will help me with some of these concepts. My level of comprehension on some of the topics is very primitive and I'm unable to retain any details.

www.khanacademy.org

helped me a ton for physics...has tons of biology videos
also...i think its pretty easy to get a 9 or 10 on bio just doing review so as long as you rock the other sections youll be fine

edit: i'd also use kaplan only for BS qBank and PS

 

[kkoopman]

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[CodeBlu]

Look into an EK bio book... keep on with the TPR book though. It's a great resource.

 

[DallasCowboys22]

Biology is also my weakest subject..I have been following SN2's schedule, using ek for review and TBR for passages. The TBR passages are killer but they teach you how to pull info out of the passages/graphs if you practice enough. I started at around a 7-8 using their scale now i usually get a 10 on most bio phases just because my comprehension is better. I highly recommend the TBR passages (although I am yet to take the real MCAT so who knows).

 

[MDminded]

Hey there,

There's a ton of great resources out there that I used to help get me through biology as an undergrad. Here are a few of my favorites (and secrets to success):

1. McGraw Hill Animations The link will take you to one of my personal favorites on Power Stroke. McGraw Hill has some awesome videos out there associated with their textbooks. Anytime I have an issue visualizing, I do a google search with "McGraw Hill, animation, x", where x = the topic I need help with. It's good stuff.

2. Khan Academy. As someone mentioned before, Khan Academy has TONS of videos. The teacher does an EXCELLENT job of explaining physics, so surely he does an excellent job of explaining biology. They are 10-minute videos that cover a vast variety of topics.

If you ever need help with a concept, I would be happy to talk you through it in the Skype group. There's a ton of people that use it and you can have instantaneous answering of questions. If you want in, send me a PM, and I can explain it in a little more detail. (And don't worry, we don't webchat - it's all IM-based).

With regards to books, you mentioned having TPR, Kaplan, and EK. I am a SN2ed follower myself, so here's what I see in each book.
- Kaplan: I took this course first. I read their material first and it gave me a basic outline of the material I needed to learn.
- EK: A more comprehensive outline. Honestly, what's covered here doesn't need TOO much supplement, but the real work and learning is found in passages from...
- TPR or TBR. TPR (The Princeton Review) has been highly acclaimed. I haven't heard of anyone hating TPR. Their science workbook has a ton of great passages/discretes that will help you master (or figure out what you need to master) material. TBR (The Berkeley Review) is another book, but the content goes WAYYYYY too in-depth, and well beyond the scope of the MCAT. However, TBR passages are a gold mine. Seriously. Once I discovered TBR, I can't go back to any other prep company. But that's my own personal preference.

In any case, do more practice problems. See where that takes you. If you need specific help, PM me, and I can help explain concepts to you. 🙂 I'm studying for my MCAT (to be taken on July 28th), so reviewing/teaching stuff to you won't be a problem for me.

 

[NickNaylor]

Bio is weakest subject... unable to retain details... apply to med school?