How do I study biology efficiently?

Question

Efficiently, as in to get concepts and everything right.

I realised I can't read notes.. nothing goes into my head. biology knowledge I have today is all by listening in tutorial classes only.

for example the topic on photosynthesis and respiration.. I know the steps and process, the products etc, but when a question asked, "compare and contrast oxidative phosphorylation and photophosporylation" I couldn't rake up similarities and differences at all.

I know where NAD+ is used in respiration, but when the question asked, " What are the functions of NAD+ in repiration" I couldnt answer it at all.

somehow, I couldn't get the whole picture of whats going on by reading notes. and my concepts are wrong.. and its exam period now. I need help.

thanks.

Answer 1

Hey there! Well biology is a subject that requires a lot and a lot of memorization, i love it, so when i pick up a book i don't need to rely om memorization as much because i get it easily, but not everyone is able to do that, like my boyfriend for instance. We started by studying together, and believe it or not, notes that other people wrote are usually more helpful than your own [yeah surprising], so he reads my notes. Also depends which book you have, if its any campbell book read the notes that come after the chapter, those summaries are really helpful and thoroughly study all images, most people are visual learners. When you have an exam don't just rely on book info, if there's anything you need to learn the internet is great and people usually have quite unique ideas to explain something that otherwise would be very difficult to learn, so since they're so bizarre they get stuck to you. Create mnemonic devices, meaning an acronym that describes what you're trying to learn, like when i had to learn whether each cranial nerve, ordered I to XII, is sensory, motor, or both:

-Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big b***s Matter More. I know is highly stupid but it stuck to me on the test and it saved me time to learn something else. Flascards dont suggest them, first it takes time to make them, second is a boring trial and third chances are won't really get stuck as much, then again maybe it works for you. Whatever you do, don't study last minute late at night, it will only confuse the information you already know, and you're now really tired in the exam. Try opening the book 5mins before the exam and re-read all definitions you had a doubt on, and always always study 2 days prior to the exam. The first day re-read the chapter and take the quiz, and the second re-read your soft points and run research. I hope this helped you, it really helps my boyfriend and he just got a 5 in his AP =], its a great fun subject and if i come up with anything else i will let you know, you can always feel free to e-mail if you have any questions =]