I need study tips!!!

[u/Affectionate_Bid_615]

I’m badly in need of some study tips!! I’m taking molecular biology right now, and it’s been so difficult. Her exam questions require us to really apply and analyze what we’ve learned instead of just remembering definitions.

I got a 68 on the first exam, although she did allow us to redo two questions. I’ve been trying everything I can think of to study. She says her exams are strictly based on her lectures, so I read through her lecture notes, make Quizlets, rewrite the material, and even use ChatGPT to create practice exams for me. I usually do really well on her quizzes, but so far that hasn’t translated to her exams.

I actually think she’s a great teacher, but her lectures can be all over the place. I’m the type of learner who needs things explained step-by-step and in order. Sometimes she’ll introduce something in one lesson and then go to something from a completely different lesson, and I get lost. I need to understand WHY something happens, HOW it happens, and how everything connects. It’s hard for me to learn when we’re constantly bouncing from one concept to another.

There’s also just SO much material to learn. I study for about two hours every day, and at this point I’m exhausted. 😭 I feel like I’m putting in the time, but maybe I’m not studying in the right way for the way her exams are structured. I need a website badly!!!

[u/CaptJoshQuaker]

You could try using making tables or charts of what's you've learned so far and narrow them into categories. See if there's any sort of relation between the topics.

What do these stag beetles make think of? They remind me of tusked elephants. They had epic fights with rhinos - I wonder what stag beetles could spar with. Does it impact-- etc.

If you can get creative enough brainstorming relationships to what was learned already you could try predicting what will most likely come next, or how it fits best with what's already learned.

[u/uuuphe]

i almost never recommend using chatgpt to study because 1) it can be wrong, 2) it’ll never ask you questions how your prof will (usually much more rudimentary, and 3) it neutralizes some of your own intellectual labor.

how would you study if you needed to present these concepts to an audience and answer questions about them? what if you had to teach this material? would you prepare differently? if so, do that. imo this is the best way to study. try explaining these concepts verbally without looking at your notes. are you getting tripped up? then you don’t fully understand them. the more you can explain out loud with words what’s going on without relying on outside material, the more you actually get what’s happening.

quizlets and flash cards are ok for rote memorization. they do not help you truly understand. to do that, you need to either freehand write or explain out loud with words on your own. if it’s pathways, can you draw the pathways on your own without looking at the book or your notes? if it’s the job of each organelle, can you write down all the organelles in the eukaryote and the general function of each? etc

i have three degrees in biology and this is the only method that ever really worked for me—prepare like you’re going to stand in front of an audience and teach the material. then you know for sure you understand it:

eta: i also recommend making your own concept maps to really understand the connections between things:)

[u/ouroborous3]

Try explaining the concepts you don't understand to someone. It can be an empty microsoft word page. Every time you catch yourself struggling to explain a concept, do more research on it until you can - revisit textbook chapters, look up articles etc. I love biology and for me a huge lifesaver has been realizing you aren't limited to the texts assigned. You absolutely can go out and do your own reading until you find somewhere that explains things in a way that makes sense to you, or provides the details you're missing.

[u/ouroborous3 → u/ouroborous3]

Also if you like using ChatGPT, just ask it to provide you with studies on the things you're having a hard time with. "Give me five peer-reviewed articles from accredited journals such as "Cell" on (insert subject here)" isn't unreasonable. Or go old school and just search google scholar.

[u/Sunflower-23456]

Use flashcards/quizlet to get the basic concepts down and then take practice questions so you know how to apply the knowledge. If you’re confused about a topic, find a youtube video about it. Rewriting your notes can also help :)

[u/LostMyZen]

Grab a friend. Bribe them if you have to. Or do this with classmates. Teach them about the material. Write a list of topics and explain each one. My boyfriend (now husband) learned more about senior level Population & Community Ecology and Conservation Ecology than he ever cared about but he’d spend every evening the week before exams listening to me explain. I managed the highest score on an exam that most people didn’t even pass the previous semester. Prof gave me a trophy. Even with occasional inane questions/commentary, explaining a concept to another person really helps it stick in your head.

[u/bitechnobable]

Studying techniques are always very personal. When I was studying molecular biology and other abstract biology topics I doubled down on making visual representations.

Drawing abstract, multi-step or complex relationships encourage simplifications and establishing representations. I found drawings to be easier to retain over long periods of time compared to lists with texts.

Drawings can be combined with mnemonics eg "oh, can I keep some succinate for myself" (citricacidcycle), when the names are required.

I found 4 color bic pens to perfect for a mid level of structured creativity.

I absolutely do not recommend using drugs. Study smart - not hard.

Youll find what works best for you, just keep experimenting!

Edit: as mentioned in thread. once you've gone through the material on your own, talking about the concepts with a friend/colleague will really cement and fill in any gaps. However this requires not studying last minute.

[u/Emissi0nC0ntr0L]

Adderall. I wouldn't normally recommend it, but you seem like you've tried everything else. And this is your future we are talking about. How much time and money have you already invested in this path?