How to Be Successful in Microbiology Class

TheNursingdoll, CNA

Microbiology is a very interesting subject. You get to learn about eukaryotes, diseases, and numerous cycles. Overall, it’s not as stressful as anatomy and physiology and is an experience within itself. I have enjoyed this class and will give you tips I have learned to pass!

Choose the Right Professor

This is the foundation for a successful and possibly less stressful classroom experience. The right professor will walk you through a course and not leave you to fend for yourself when it comes to difficult subjects. Talking to students or using Rate My Professor can help you decide on a great professor before class starts.

Learn the Material before the Lecture Starts

This has helped me get a good advantage in Microbiology class! I knew of Louis Pasteur and pasteurization, Algae and Bacteria, and Taxonomy. Books such as Study Guide for Microbiology: An Introduction and a Microbiology Atlas are great ways to get ahead!

Create Quizlets

During my Microbiology course, I made quizlets for each chapter that my professor covered! Some had over 111 terms, and I made sure to get every important piece of information that I could, along with these quizlets made studying a lot easier since my professor went mostly by PowerPoint. I used the quizlets I’ve made as my primary means of review.

Don’t Skimp on the Book

Some professors teach primarily by PowerPoint. Even if they do, it’s a 50% chance that they may recommend a few pages out of the book. If your professor does this, I would recommend this as I wish I had done it more because a few questions came out of the textbook.

Study at Least 2 Hours

As a former Microbiology student, I’ve learned that studying for at least 2 hours made the material that I’ve learned during a lecture stick. Reviewing quizlets and the materials my teacher gave for two hours (broken into sessions) helped me during class periods

Take Advantage of Extra Credit

To give you a heads up, the last three exams ( 3rd, 4th, and the final) will be an absolute headache! If your teacher gives you an opportunity for extra credit, take it, whether it be a bonus question or even doing a series of discussions with classmates. Just in case you don’t do so well on a test, this can be beneficial.

Save Tests for Reviews

If your professor allows you to keep tests, please keep them safe and learn from them later down the road. Saving old exams will greatly help during the finals. A method I did was making quizlets out of my old tests. I highlighted the answers I’ve gotten wrong.

Maximize Testing Time

I included this tip because I felt that I would have fared a bit better if I did this more. After all, I messed myself up on tests by a few points because I rushed through the exams. I would suggest maximizing your testing time and reviewing before you submit your exams to your professor.

Inquire Information about Material You Don't Know

Don't suffer in silence; if you aren't getting the material ALWAYS reach out to your teacher! Whether through email or waiting after class always ask questions because it will make a big difference.

Lab Tips

1 - Get a Good Lab Partner

When it comes to the lab section of Microbiology, a good lab partner will make or break your experience. Go for someone willing to learn and help and not the opposite. A good lab partner will be glad to explain things and support and the same vice versa. You and your lab partner should learn from the professor and teach each other whenever possible. I had a good group of lab partners during my time in Microbiology. If your lab partner is gossipy, negative, or not willing to engage in work, then I’d suggest finding someone else or, if possible, doing solo work.

2 - Don’t Freak out in Lab

I did this for about the first three labs; looking back on it was funny! The Microbiology lab is insanely different from the anatomy lab. For starters, it’s colder, and there are bacterias, refrigerators, bunsen burners. It was radically different, and I freaked out. I was so nervous I ruined an agar plate! Although it’s different, everything will be okay, and your professor will walk you through everything! By the end of the semester, you’ll be inoculating tubes and spreading specimens on a blood agar like a pro!

3 - Know Your Classification and Anatomy for Every Specimen You Cover

This is very important for your final! During the lab, make sure you take notes and label your diagrams!

4 - Keep Pens, Highlighters, and Pencils Handy!

This comes for labs and when studying for labs. In more “wordy” labs, such as learning lab results for, let’s saying Blood Agar, I’d suggest while reading a manual or whatever material is given I’d highlight and then record results into Quizlet.

5 - Grammar!

Know that the Genus is capitalized, and the species is lowercased. Also, remember that the Genus and species are either underlined or italicized. It can also be abbreviated.

6 - Be Aware of What the Teacher and the Syllabus Want

This is extremely important because lab quizzes are a very high percentage of your grade and usually cannot be made up. In my Microbiology class, it couldn’t be dropped. During your first week, you typically get into the syllabus and keep this in mind when studying.

7 - Offer Help and Support to Others When You Can and When Needed

Although this isn’t a study tip, it’s just as crucial! If you see someone in need of help, freaking out, or nervous, offer your classmate support! Being a personal cheerleader for yourself and others can go a long way!