How to Study?

[my4helpers]

This may seem like a silly question, but how do you study and retain so much info.?? I have my first exam coming up at the end of Sept. in biology over 6 chapters. At the end of each chapter, their is a fact page with tons of main facts from the chapter and also 50-100 terms. What are some tips on memorizing all this stuff? Last night I spent about 2 hours just on one chapter putting everything on index cards. I have to put them on index cards, but I sure wish it would not take so long. I could have used that 2 hours to study.

[StudentPrudence]

I'm studying anatomy right now to prepare for my preqs next semester, and it seems like so much new -- albeit interesting -- information. Do flash cards work even when you're supposed to connect both what a part is and what it does with tangible structures that you're supposed to be able to recognize by sight, or does that method leave the latter factor wanting?

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

I do the flashcard thing too - I'm taking a general biology class right now as a prerequisite to Anatomy, and the actual act of writing the terms down on the flash cards helps me tremendously. I have a feeling, when you get the chance to go back over and review your cards, you might remember more than you thought you would. I try to write what I need to remember, use it in a real life scenario, and even though my Professor gives us prewritten study guides, I still write the things he goes over in class because that helps me remember.

Oh - and another thing, I bought a digital recorder and tape my more intense classes, that helps A LOT. The second time I hear a lecture I pick up things that I didn't the first time. Good luck!

[SummerMeadow]

why, i never thought about the tape recording, of course i have done to much thinking lately. lol my brain is in overdrive right now.

[my4helpers]

Thanks so much for all of your comments. I am going to have to save this post for sure!

Well, a lot has changed from my first post. To sum it up, the professor is basically really hard and he goes way to fast. However, last week we were given a surprise test and from the results of our test I think he new he was being to hard. He said he was not happy with the results and therefore he feels like he is not doing a good job. He now puts his notes up online and we can print them out. So when I get home I don't have bits and pieces of notes. Today I was able to print all 6 lectures and take them to class with me. He spent the entire class going through each lecture telling us what we needed to know for Mondays test! Plus I recorded it so I should be good to go!