Biology Boot Camp: Study Skills Dr. Judith Solti Prior to the First Day of Class: o Set/write down goals o Organize the items you will need for class and at home o Pack your carrier o Start a day planner o Organize your study space Learning Styles: Visual learners: learn best by seeing o Sit close to the professor o Take detailed notes o Draw pictures o Make flash cards o Focus on figures, charts, captions o Use coloring books or atlases o Use mental visualization Auditory learners: learn best by hearing o Listen to professor’s voice o Read textbook and flash cards out loud o Tape record lectures and listen to them later o Listen during class instead of writing notes o Work in study groups Tactile learners: learn best by doing o Highlight while reading o Write your own notes o Transfer your notes or type into a computer o Use flash cards o Use biology coloring books Outside of Class: o You should study at least 2-3 hours for every hour of class time. o For a full-time 15 credit semester, that means that class time and study time should be like a full-time job o Every day you should: o Do specific assignments o Go over that day’s notes o Read the corresponding sections in the textbook o Quiz yourself o Review your notes again o Preview the next day’s material o Research has shown that studying right before you go to sleep puts the material into your subconscious Page 1 Biology Boot Camp: Study Skills Dr. Judith Solti How to Read a Texbook: SQR3 o Survey o Question o Read o Recite o Review Test and Quizzes: o Best preparation is practice, practice, practice….. o It is always better to study in small amounts regularly, than all at once the night before o You won’t get extremely nervous before a test if you study well! o If you have studied well, keep reminding yourself: o I have prepared well for this test o I know this material very well o I can and will do well on this test o I refuse to get nervous about one silly test o I am ready and relaxed. Let’s do it! o During the test: o Read the question and all answer choices carefully o If one of the answer choices is something you have never heard of, it can’t possibly be the correct answer! o Usually only 2 answers are even remotely appropriate o Pick the best of those two answers…….go with your gut. o Try to avoid going back and changing answers…..you’re overthinking and may change a correct answer to an incorrect. Three Undeniable Facts: o You, and only you, chose to pursue this academic path o You, and only you, are responsible for attaining the success you desire o You, and only you, earn the grades you get. Don’t forget: For your brain to be kind to you, you have to be kind to its home. o You must take care of yourself physically---eat, sleep, exercise, and RELAX. Dream big…………..Work hard! August, 2012 Page 2