Active Reading

For my classes I emphasize understanding the concepts. This requires more than just reading the book while watching the game. Prepare time to read in your weekly schedule. Plan a time and maintain a space where you can concentrate. Try an create an atmosphere conducive to your learning: minimize distractions, turn off your cell phone, put up a DO NOT DISTURB notice.

Overcoming the urge to scream
Coping with Biological terms. Biology is full of latin and greek based terms. These terms have specific meanings and unfortunately you do have to learn them. The best way to master them is to build your own Biological Glossary.  The textbook has definitions that make perfect sense to the author, who is a biologist. Unfortunately you will not be able to use the authors brain when it comes to the exams.  In order to remember what the words mean translate the authors words into your own. This will make it easier for you to remember when it comes to a test when you don't have a textbook handy.

Remembering what you read.
Take notes. Resist the urge to copy chunks of the text. All this is doing is taking up your time. Copying is not the same as learning. You have to think of what is being said- and again this is best done by using your own words. Do not be afraid to deface books, you can scribble notes in the margins- this will help next time you read the textbook.  Alternatively you may take notes that can be filed with your lecture notes. Write down the page numbers to help you find the original material in the textbook later.
 

What to do when you finish a Chapter

Once you finish the reading the chapter- review the chapter. If you close the book without thinking about what you have just read, you will rapidly forget. Now is the time to review the chapter to cement those new terms and concepts. What to review? Prepare some questions as you read the chapter, such as "list the funtions of proteins" or, "What is the main point of the chapter?" Make sure to read the end of chapter summaries.
 
 
 
 

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