Microbiology anyone??? How do you study????i

DFWgal · Oct 11, 2011

I read the textbook, the .ppt from class and my notes and I got an A, but that was for the lecture test. I've heard that the "killer" is the practical part and I'm lost too. I don't know if I should be able to recognize certain microorganisms, if I should memorize our experiments, their procedures, or what.

My professor is teaching this class for the 1st time so she doesn't have a clue and every instructor from every section is preparing part of the test so I must be prepared for anything.

I don't know, if someone has a better idea (specially if someone has taken it at DCCCD - Richland), I'd appreciate the help.

Good luck to the OP with the class! :)

Godschild1214 · Oct 11, 2011

That's exactly right. Read the PPT. slides, take good notes, use also Youtube for help, and work in study groups. I took Micro in a 8 week semester. And I did very well I received a "A" in Lecture and a "B" in Lab. So, my overall grade was a B. Lab was difficult for me as well. Oh boy, how I remember those days. I actually love Microbiology, it's a very interesting course. You will do well, hang in there.

Soontobehope · Oct 11, 2011

I'm taking Micro this semester online at SPC and am preparing for my midterm. So far...I have an A in both lecture and lab.

As far as how I study unit to unit....I am using the Tortura text so I would type out the study outline for the chapter found at the end of each chapter and added in additional notes as I read the chapter. For whatever the reason rewriting or typing the material helps me to retain the info. I would also use the textbook online site as well as other online sources to solidify harder concepts. Just recently, I did a google search on the chapter number and title and found tons of notes from other colleges. Luckily, I found notes that were so well put together (from a professor, not a student) so I just print those out as well. For the lab portion of the class (which is also online), I used many different online resources to help figure things out. Taking the lab online is tough but definitely doable.

As far as midterms, I print copies of all my tests and enter them into online flashcards on the studystack website. I also keep a well organized binder that contains the tests and notes for each chapter.

There are also different study guides etc that you can buy to help out if you are having trouble in a particular area. Using other resources in addition to the textbook have been instrumental for me, personally.

I hope this helps....good luck!

snickers21 · Oct 12, 2011

I agree with the others on study methods. I think the hardest part of microbiology, it isn't just memorization, it is applying what you have learned. For lab, make sure you know the procedures and how to do them, but also know how to apply that knowledge and the results you get. Oh, and make sure you have a good lab partner. I find this very valuable knowledge that people should know on the first day of lab......

I think I have the same love/hate relationship with micro that you do. I love the class, but come test time, I hate it!

Good luck!

Lizzylove714 · Oct 12, 2011

I'm taking Micro right now and I'll admit I have a hate/hate relationship with it lol. It's boring to me for the most part. But I have my midterm/lab practical this Tuesday. I'm trying to figure out how to study for it as well. So far I've made flash cards of the slides with the picture on the front, then wrote my own study outlines for each lab experiment. Hope it goes well. Good luck to you! :)

breezy7, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2011

At my school, you don't have to take lecture and lab together for Micro, even though it is a requirement for every other science course. There are less lab spots than lecture, so most people are forced to take them separately. I feel like having a place to apply what I'm learning in lecture would be sooo helpful for understanding the material. Since I don't have that, I've been going over the ppts, looking over my notes, and attempting to skim through the book.

leenak · Oct 13, 2011

I love Micro. Does your book have questions at the end of each chapter? If so, I'd make sure you do those. Read the book, write out definitions. Try to understand various processes and write those out as well.