Biology 104: General Biology II

Tips for Success in General Biology II

1. Attend every class. If you have to miss, get the notes from someone and recopy them by hand. You will remember better if you write them down than if you photocopy them.
2. Plan to work at least two hours outside of class for each hour in class. That’s ten hours per week, minimum!
3. Study with others. In a study group, ask each other questions about the material. If you think you will need a tutor, visit the Student Success Center early in the semester. It’s in Ambrose Hall, Room 243, and tutoring is free.
4. Before class:
• Read through the assigned chapter in the text or study guide.
• Get the chapter objectives so you can cross-reference them with your notes. The objectives are available online at www.sau.edu/biology/gb2obj.htm
5. In class:

·        Take notes!

·        When overheads are shown, note the text figure they’re from (at the top of the overhead) in your notes so you can refer to it later.

·        If you have questions, ask in class or after class, or before/after lab. Or you can email me (HornJohnC@sau.edu) or call (333-6109).

6. After class:

·        Review your notes later the same day, while you remember what happened in class. Add explanations where needed, put a ? in the margin where they don’t make sense. Don’t wait until a few days before the test to review your notes!

·        Use the text to answer your questions. If it still doesn’t make sense, ask me.

7. Other strategies if you have more time:

·        Write out the objectives with space in between. In class, add the answers to the objectives as they are covered.

·        Rewrite your class notes. Add additional information that will help you remember them (such as text material and cross-references to text figures).