How to Study Biology?

1. IMPORTANT: Have you taken the reading assessment test?

Can you read at a level that is adequate for this text? If you read at the adequate level, then the following suggestions may be helpful. What follows is a summary of strategies that are being used by students who are successful in biology. AND YOU CAN SUCCEED TOO!!

2. Slow down !!
The flow of a biology book is not like the flow of a novel. A novel can be read effortlessly, smoothly and rapidly, but biology books cannot. If you are reading a novel and are somewhat distracted, you can still get the idea of what it is about. When you are not concentrating on biology you will get very little out of it, and it will seem more difficult than it really is.

3. Every word counts. Biology books are usually not repetitive, so there is little chance of picking something up from reading on. Writers of biology texts believe that extra words and repeats get in the way of clarity.

4. It is best to tackle each chapter at least three times. The first time you should skim the chapter, noting topic sentences, words in bold print, all tables, diagrams and summary charts. This is best read before the class. The second reading should be in more detail, studying each area and not proceeding until each section is understood. Reread each section as many times as necessary until you understand its meaning. Mastery can take minutes or hours or days. The last major reading is for writing down terms and definitions and important concepts (see #6 below).

5. Talk to yourself as you read. Explain what you have read aloud and make up your own examples to better understand what you have read. Rereading the material aloud, especially in your own words helps clarify the information. Hearing yourself makes a lot of difference.

6. Words and symbols of biology have specific meanings. Each time you come to a new term or concept, cover up the text and see if you can express the idea aloud in your own words. Write down all the words you do not know. Emphasise words in bold type. Whenever possible write out the definitions in your own words. Strive for understanding the definitions so that you can easily state them in your own words; you are more likely to remember them that way. By saying it out loud and writing it, you are more like to recall it later, when needed.

7. Study all diagrams and charts. They condense a lot of valuable information. Cover up and see if you can visualise them.

8. Write as you read.

• During your first reading write nothing in the text.

• Do not highlight ¬ it slows down reading and it is often used as an excuse for not concentrating.

• In a later reading, call attention to important words or phrases by underlining them (do not overdo this).     Complete sentences or paragraphs should be bracketed and not underlined.

• Write summarising statements to yourself in the margin.

• Make notes to yourself right in the text.

• Note questions that you need to have clarified.

• DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE RESALE VALUE OF THE TEXT.

9. Record all key points on a separate sheet.

10. If there are study questions at the end of the chapters, be sure you can answer them. They are good practice for the exam.

11. Make flash cards with terminology and concepts.

12. Keep testing yourself on a separate sheet of paper.

13. Without looking back, write out and say aloud the important points.

14. Create tasks for yourself as you read the text. After reading an example and working it out for yourself, try to think of other examples that would fit the idea being discussed.

15. Use more than one book on the topic you are studying whenever possible. Pick books that appeal to you. If you are very verbal, a book with long explanations is likely to be most helpful. If you are more visual, you might choose a book that has more illustrations.

16. Read the chapter before, and again after, class. You will get the most out of class if you have read the material before the instructor presents it. Even if you feel that you understood the material in class, read it over again in the text. The more you review it the more likely you are to recall it.

17. If possible, have a friend or family member quiz you on your notes and text information. Done regularly, this commits more information to long-term memory.

Adios......