Strategies for Success

1. Strategies for Success In Science Courses

2. Science Courses are Different • This may be the first science course of your college career • Science courses may require more study time than non-science courses • You must think and reason about the concepts in a science course • You should expect to spend at least 2 hours studying for each credit hour of class per week

3. Active Learning • Learning is a two-way street • Stay alert • Practice active listening • Take notes

4. Your Listening Style • Determine your listening style • If you have a more passive listening style, consider ways you can become a more active listener • Listen for key ideas • Pay particular attention to the points raised by instructors at the end of class • Ask questions

5. Taking Notes in Lecture • Record • Reduce • Recite • Reflect • Review

6. Taking Notes in Lecture – Record & Reduce

8. Taking Notes in Lecture - Recite • Talk aloud • Review from memory what you have learned • Using the left hand margin’s key words and questions, talk through or illustrate definitions, concepts, etc. • Create your own examples

9. Taking Notes in Lecture - Reflect • How does this relate to what you already knew? • Note the essay terms • Compare • Contrast • Define • Describe • Discuss • Explain

10. Taking Notes in Lecture – Review Review the notes you took • At your next study session • Before reading new material • When studying for tests

11. Reading • Determine your reading style

12. Reading • Determine your reading style • Holistic reading styles are noncritical • Analytic reading styles are very detailed and critical • How do you think your reading style affects the way you learn material? • Is your reading style related to the kinds of subjects you prefer?

13. Reading • You must read the material before class (look at your schedule) • Choose a moderate amount of material before you begin • If there is a summary at the end of the chapter, read it • Read first for what you do understand (mark what you don’t to review later) • Practice the “look away” method • Look up words • Read to the end

14. Reading • Organize your notes by connecting ideas (outline or concept map) • Re-read the section with the framework you have chosen • If the reading is still a challenge, seek help!

15. Reading and Taking Notes • SQ3R • Read, review, write • Concept mapping

16. How to Study for Science Classes • Studying is an ACTIVE process (Study by doing, not just reading and highlighting) • study by making lists of new terms and write them 5 to 10 times each to reinforce their spelling • study by making flash cards with pictures • study by drawing diagrams of complex activities • study by telling a story out loud to "teach" the information • study by writing out information from notes, from memory

17. Before Lab • Prepare before each lab class to get the most out of your lab time • Read material as it pertains to lab (handouts, text, atlas) • Place bookmarks or colored tabs on the assigned images in the text or atlas so you can find them easily • Bring your textbook and your atlas (if required) to lab every week • Check Angel for handouts you may need to bring to lab

18. During Lab • You need to actually handle the models and bones • You need to actually look at the histology – you should even draw pictures of the histology • Observe structures carefully, particularly noting where they are in relationship with other structures • Use the entire name of a structure. Repeat it aloud. What does the name mean? • Stay focused on the work in lab • Work cooperatively – do not spend time chit-chatting, but you may want to find a lab partner to study with • LEAVING LAB EARLY IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR GRADE

19. After Lab • Review newest material first and most • Review older material regularly • Plan to use “open lab” times when provided • Review previously used models • Review previously used histology slides

20. Avoiding Problems • Read the Catalog and be aware of course prerequisites. • Read the syllabus and be aware of course policies! • Read the course schedule and know when you will have exams! • Choose a seat that will promote good note-taking • Accept the instructor, despite his or her limitations • Let your instructor know as soon as possible if you will have problems attending class or meeting deadlines. Before the fact is always better than after.

21. Other Tips for Success • Arrive to lecture early or on time • Attend every class • Take notes during the ENTIRE lecture • Ask questions • Study EVERY day! • Check out the book’s website and do the questions at the end of each chapter • Use different study techniques • Form a study group • Record the lecture and listen to it again (and again)

22. Places to go if you need help • Your instructor’s office hours or tutoring hours • Open labs • CARE center (P-600)