Do you read all the text for science classes?

[Trenata]

I am not sure if I am going to have time to read everything I am suppose to for my micro class. Our teacher has a great system that she set up in masterinmicrobiology.com where we have to complete A LOT of assignments. This is good because our entire grade is not dependent on the exams and we earn a lot of points doing assignments, pre-labs, quizzes and a practice exam while learning at the same time. This isn't going to allow as much time to read. The professor also gives us learning objectives. I really do like that the professor has provided so much material to help us learn and is really proactive at helping the students do well. She did say it is important to read too.

I haven't taken the first exam yet, so I am not sure how important reading will be or if all this other learning material will be enough. I do have a study guide that I could read which really sums it up!

What do you all do?

[Herrington]

I read my book. It's still good to know even if it won't be on your exam. There's stuff our professor doesn't even touch on in the book, but I believe it will be good to know, as it's foundation material (A&P I, chemistry, cells, etc.) that everything else will build off of.

EDIT: I was just reading about DNA replication...it's pretty crazy too, and our professor didn't really go much into the process, but reading about it was very interesting.

[Jtrang]

It's important to read only for better understanding of the concepts emphasized in class. IMO, I didn't have to read the textbook that much because I understood the concepts my professor emphasized in class. I would only use the textbook to read/focus on the key concepts your professor covered in class. Reading the textbook isn't a bad idea if you have some free time, but there's a lot of information in the book that your professor probably won't cover in class.

[Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN]

Honestly I haven't really been reading all of the chapters, mostly because she covers so much in her own time. However, I'm thinking that just skimming them would be better than not reading at all.

[Mandy0728]

I read the book as well. My chem class is just like your micro...we have mastering chemistry online homework to do each week. I don't always get to read the chapters, especially if I already understand it in class. We have an exam this week over 7 chapters, and this past weekend I was trying to look in the book for a better understanding if the concepts that I just wasnt grasping, and after reading the text, a lightbulb clicked on! I recommend reading your book when you can. Good luck!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

Yes, I read the chapters -- science or not science. In addition to reading before the lecture, so I'm prepared, I read after the lecture to help stuff sink in.

Until your first exam, you will not know what the professor will test on -- lecture, book, both. Be prepared, and use every practical took to help things sink in.

Thank you.

[Aaic]

If you have time I would at least skim the book while waiting to see what's on the first exam. My prof straight up told us don't bother so I haven't even touched it! Lol

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

I don't read literally everything, but about 90% or more. There is usually at least 1 section in each chapter that is a "filler" and I either skim or skip it. It also depends on the professor. My micro professor uses his own notes and only test using his notes, so I ended up writing a lot of lecture notes and recording his lectures, and skimmed the book or use it as reference.

Learning through assignment is great. But be careful because if you're constantly referring to the book or notes when you do assignments, you might draw a total blank when you take the actual test without the book next to you. You should always read and learn first, then do assignments. That will really tell you what you do and don't know.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Of course if you have the time try and read the text...but in reality-who has that kind of time???? Do the best you can and follow your teacher's lead-you should be able to "gauge" what is expected from the first exam...

[babelinglove33]

Yes, I read before class (it is expected of us) to prepare for lecture and again afterwards to study for the test.

[Bluebell.]

I always read all of the chapters, but I focus more on the info that are on the ppts and the notes. That's what helped me.

[kiersten529]

For me it depends on the class. For my current Micro class I am just using the book as a reference when I don't understand something. My professor's tests are based on her lecture. I record and listen to the lecture and create an outline of the information to study from. I did the same in A&P and it worked very well for me.