HINTS FOR SUCCESS:
To be successful not only in BIOL 230 but also in any other college level course, you must be proactive. Earning the grade means you have to do the work! You may find the following study tips useful:
1. For those students taking the traditional lecture:
a. Attend lecture regularly;
b. Concentrate on what is being said; and
c. Try to understand what is being explained - much easier now than later. If you don't understand, ask questions right away.
2. For those taking lecture via the Internet:
a. Establish a routine schedule for working on the course;
b. Keep up with the course objectives; and
c. Do all interactive activities provided.
d. The minute you have any questions or need help, E-mail me or see me in lab!
3. As you complete each lecture learning object, write out the answers to each objective covered. Many find it helpful to write each objective on one side of a note card and then write the answer on the back. Studies show that people learn material faster and retain it longer if that information is written by hand, or even better, written and spoken aloud, rather than just read. In other words, combine visual memory, muscle memory (writing), and auditory memory. The more senses you use, the better you remember.
4. Quiz yourself.
a. Using the Performance Objectives as a guide, make up and ask yourself possible test questions and write and say the answers.
b. Make sure you do the on-line practice quizzes. Do not just click on the answers and write them out. This will not test your understanding of the topic.
5. Do not cram!
a. The number one reason why students do not successfully complete this course is procrastination! The estimated amount of time you should spend is 12 hours/week outside of class.
b. It is your responsibility to read and study the E-text and Lab Manual each week, preferably before class, so that you are ready for each lab quiz or lecture exam on the date assigned in your syllabus.
c. Set up a regular weekly study schedule in a location free of distractions and stick to that study schedule. However, make the schedule reasonable.
d. Study the information in small, regular amounts, maybe one or two hours at a time, and then review the accumulated information weekly.
e. Before you take the exam, review all material a final time until you feel confident. Again, studies show that in doing this, you spend less total time studying and you retain the information longer.
6. To remember the information, be creative rather than using rote repetition.
a. Write and rewrite the answers to the objectives;
b. Say it aloud to yourself;
c. Explain it aloud to yourself - or a patient friend;
d. Devise clue words to remember important points;
e. Use word associations;
f. Create visual pictures or images in your mind of the topic and the clue words you are studying;
g. To view a website illustrating how to use mnemonics to learn medical terminology, see http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/.
h. To view a site to learn the correct pronunciation of medical terminology, see http://www.merck.com/mmhe/resources/pronunciations/index/a.html.
i. Create acronyms and abbreviations for lists of information, etc.
7. To help you understand and learn the material presented in the E-text, an extensive series of illustrations, animations, photomicrographs, electron micrographs, crossword puzzles, and links to other Microbiology sites on the web has been included. Make use of these visual aids!
When using the hard copy of your E-text and Lab Manual for studying, make sure you are use it in conjunction with the on-line version to take advantage of all the illustrations, animations, photomicrographs, and electron micrographs
8. After you feel you understand the information, study with a friend or small study group - but only after you think you understand the material. Explaining the material to others helps you remember it better and catches any misinformation you may have learned.
9. If, after the first lab quiz or first lecture exam, you find that you are not doing well in the course, make an appointment with me as soon as possible so we can review your study skills and look for ways to improve your performance. It is your responsibility to be proactive in your learning.
10. Make sure that you follow the instructions and format provided in your hand out when writing your formal paper on a viral disease. Complete your paper ahead of the deadline so that you can submit it as often as you wish to Turnitin.com.
11. Not sure what kind of learner you are? Take the VARK test on-line. They even give you study tips appropriate to the type of learner that you are.
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire12. Other useful tips:
- Keep in touch with me and your classmates by e-mail and in lab.
- Try to form small study groups with others in your class.
- Familiarize yourself with the deadlines published in this syllabus.
- The course Web Page is best viewed with a screen area of 1024/768 pixels.