With so many topics to study, it can be tough to get all the information you need to pass your classes while still managing your time effectively. If you’re struggling with biology, you might feel like you have no hope of doing well in class or on your exams. However, several strategies can help you improve your performance in biology and make studying more efficient. These tips will teach you how to study biology in college and how to get good grades on exams and assignments!
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Organize your notes
You’ll be amazed at how much more you can get out of studying if you do a bit of prep work. Organize your notes by reviewing them as a group before going through them on your own. This allows you to write down key points or concepts and then go back over them one by one later, thus cementing those points in your memory. For example, you might take a few minutes after class to quickly review what was covered that day—but instead of just writing down lecture notes, use flashcards or some other method to help jog your memory. Then, when it comes time to study again (or during your next class), you’ll have an easier time recalling information because it will be fresher in your mind.
Figure out what you don’t know
The study habits that work best for you will depend on what you need to work on. You can quickly identify gaps in your knowledge by taking a practice test or quiz from an official source. For example, if you get stumped by science-based questions but have aced history-based ones, then it’s likely that you need some extra help with biology. Or, maybe you know all about photosynthesis but struggle with cellular respiration. Whatever your weak points are, it’s important to figure them out so that you can focus on improving them as much as possible.
Make Anki Cards
Anki is an easy-to-use flashcard program that has been proven effective for learning a variety of information. Flashcards are a great way to learn biology, from vocabulary terms to high-level concepts such as photosynthesis. Spend five minutes every day reviewing cards you’ve made earlier—don’t try to make new ones all at once! This time spent studying will eventually add up, making your life easier come exam time. Also, don’t forget to look over old exams and textbook chapters before test day; it may seem like overkill now, but it will pay off when you find yourself having learned most of what was on last year’s final exam. (For more tips on studying effectively, check out these 10 Tips For Studying Effectively In College.)
Break Down your Notes into Sections
When you take notes on a textbook, you want your study guide to come in handy later. First, break down your notes into sections. This will make it easier for you to find information as well as make connections between topics that might not have been linked before. You can also use different colors of highlighters or markers depending on what’s being discussed. For example, if there is an important concept being discussed that applies across multiple chapters of your book, highlight those paragraphs in a specific color. Then, when you’re studying for exams, go back through your notes and underline all of those highlighted passages again in another color. That way, when you look at them all together during exam time, it will be easy to see which concepts are most important.
Look over your notes from time to time
Studying isn’t just cramming a bunch of information into your brain before a test. It’s learning how, when, and why biology works—that is, understanding it on a conceptual level. If you look over your notes every now and then after class or read through them once or twice over spring break, you’ll be able to see what you remember (and what you don’t). This can help inspire an effective review strategy that will help you retain key information. And, if nothing else, looking over your notes helps you stay more engaged with what’s going on in class. That way, when something new comes up during lectures or discussions, you won’t have to struggle as much to keep up.
Don’t wing it when you get there. Do some last-minute studying!
It’s really tempting to not study at all when you have your biology test looming over your head. After all, it’s right before finals and you’re so close to being done with that class forever! Don’t let yourself get talked into skipping out on studying just because everyone else is doing it. Sure, some people will be able to wing it on their tests and still get good grades. But most of them won’t. Instead of trying to figure things out as you go along during your exam, spend a little time learning what you need to know beforehand. You’ll feel more confident going into your test knowing that you spent a few hours studying rather than none at all.
If you can do something better, do it. (Tables, Charts, Etc.)
Learn how to read them. Make sure you have those resources readily available so that when it’s time for you to study you don’t have any excuses. If your professor gives a link or code that can be used, be sure to save it. By studying with these tools at hand, you’ll find yourself learning faster and paying more attention as you won’t be running back-and-forth looking for resources while trying not to miss anything important. The best way to learn is by doing! There are many different ways of learning through doing, but one of my favorites is practice exams. Practice exams are exactly what they sound like: taking practice tests and quizzes over the material you’ve learned. This helps solidify what you know and helps keep information fresh in your mind!
Last Words:
The best way to study biology is to make sure you understand every concept before moving on. When you’re learning, there’s no shame in re-reading notes, flipping back through your textbook, or even watching your professor again (by using a service like next). As long as you understand, it doesn’t matter if you read something once or five times. And don’t feel pressured into reading ahead—just stick with what you know now, and learn at your own pace.