Biology Advice

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Hello All,

Although I have already received acceptance to the Nursing Program- I am still in the process of doing pre-reqs. I am a hard worker and I'm enjoying trying hard in all of my classes to succeed.

However---- Right now I'm taking a General Biology course (cells, photosynthesis...all that). I've been struggling to understand and retain all of the information. I study 1-2 hours of Biology every night on top of my 5 other classes. I record myself talking and listen to it, I make notecards, study guides, I review notes and do the homework. I felt confident and prepared for the first exam..... And I got an F. Not a D... Not a C... but a big fat F. I went in and talked to my instructor and he suggested that I just study more. I told him my techniques and the time I put in and he said maybe I am "overstudying". The class average was a 60% so I'm trying to take this in stride. After talking to people who got A's and B's on the exam, I discovered that they only studied the night before, and only studied their notes. :banghead:

I guess this turned into more of a rant..... But I really need some help. My main issue is picking out the important information that will be on exams.

Has anybody else had this problem and still been successful in Nursing School? Biology is the only class that I'm hardcore struggling with (All other classes are A's). :no:

Also- Any new studying techniques? Thank you guys.... I love AllNurses and all the support I recieve. :)

xoxoxoxox- Aspring Nurse

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Specializes in ED.

I highly recommend starting a small study group. Being able to sit down with people and talk through different structures and processes can be very helpful.

Another thing that I like to do is take notes in class, I use my laptop and have a word doc for every class. During class I make sure to write down anything that the instructor emphasizes. At home I will go through the notes organizing and formatting them into a structure that makes the most sense to me. This allows me to see the information multiple times. I hear the instructor say it, I type it, I re read it, and I type it again all before sitting down with my weekly group to talk about it.

This technique may be a little labor intensive or repetitive but it has gotten me A's in every biology course I have taken. From genetics through anatomy and physiology as well as microbiology.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I got an A in Bio...I loved it tho! I had a friend I studies with once a week, and I also watched all the Khan Academy videos, which I found VERY helpful! Also finding videos on Youtube helped me visualize the processes. I am a very hands-on, visual learner, so just listening to lecture and reading doesnt do much for me.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Also, just remember that the first test is always tough since you don't know how the instructor writes his test yet! I got a 78 on my first test, and still got an A in the class!

Is there anything specific you are having trouble on?

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, aspiringnurse1122:

For reading et al - SQ4R Study Method ; also see https://www.gallaudet.edu/tip/english_works/reading_(esl)/reading_and_mapping_strategies/sq4r.html For tests/quizes, I found http://umaine.edu/tutorprogram/files/2011/11/tutor_program_tip-taking_multiple_choice_exams.pdf to be helpful.

In terms of studying, I personal avoided any form of cramming; so I would study for the exam the very first day of the material through the day before the exam. I would do the chapter reviews, chapter quizzes, find web sites based on the book(s) used and take their quizes and so forth.

Do you break up your study time? I find 30 minute blocks of time work great -- 5 minutes preview the chapter, 20 minutes of reading, 5 minutes of physical activity (which does not include the TV ), and then repeat. If necessary, add 5 more minutes to reading, then a 15 to 30 minute walk and repeat.

For the test for which you did poorly, did you review what the right answers where for the ones you got wrong? Do you know why you got them wrong? I found that form of review, also helps. If you are not sure, then see a tutor or meet up again with your professor to go over the rationales for the right answers.

Thank you.

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What has helped me understand bio better is reading the chapter before lecture. Then listening during lecture not just taking notes but trying to understand what I'm writing. Then go home and skim through the chapter and review points I didn't full understand instead of going through the whole chapter again. I'm doing this with a full time job and 4 other classes so I know it's doable. I usually break while reading too. I'll do like 20 mins to an hour of reading (depending on when i start to wander) and then do 10 mins of a mindless game on my phone to refresh. Sometimes YouTube videos on science help and I can watch those for hours without getting agitated.

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Everyone has a different method of studying. Some study in a short amount of time and understand, and others must put in more effort. just do what you have to do even if it means over doing it. I'm one of those who has to put in more time and effort into studying because I don't get it quickly like some might with little effort. people are not the same when it comes to learning. I suggest a voice recorder if you don't have one yet. If your studying is fine then maybe perhaps it's your exam test taking? Do you get nervous and rush though the exam without double checking? tricky answers are annoying for biology,go through them all and eliminate with reasoning. I took a bio course that's harder than required, and the exams were m/c but still the questions aren't so hard that it's not possible to do well.

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