<p>I’m a math major, not bio. But I know people who are pre-med and basically they have to find a way to memorize a whole lot of stuff, especially in biochem and orgo. I’m not sure how they do it. They probably make flashcards and go over stuff a lot. It helps to look at past tests that your professors give to see how you’ll be tested. It also helps to lecture as if you were a professor, to actually go into an empty room with your notes and present the material required for an exam. That way, you’re forced to confront what you do and don’t know. I’ve found it very effective, because I can tell immediately when there’s something I still don’t understand.</p>
<p>I agree with whoever mentioned Cal Newport and his advice. I randomly bought two of his books last summer, “How to Win at College” and “How to Become a Straight-A Student” and they are really helpful. I know they sound cheesy, but give them a try and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Whenever i’m feeling unmotivated and don’t want to study, I pick up one of those books and my mood changes instantly. He makes it seem so easy to be well-rounded and get good grades in college, while still managing to have a great experience! Definitely recommend him</p>
<p>Some of the tips that really work for me are:</p>
<p>-study in about 50 minute chunks. Then take a 10 minute break. Then go back at it!
-DON’t study in your room. or even in your dorm. (unless it’s snowing or something and you realllyyy don’t feel like leaving). The kids who aren’t studying are in your dorm probably…having fun
-Exercise 3 times a week. It will do WONDERS for your mind and body. I remember finals week, just going for a quick jog really gave me the chance to relax</p>
<p>Biochemistry and Biophysics double major here.</p>
<p>-Like the above post said, NEVER study in your room for something serious (ie finals). There are just too many potential distractions like friends from your hall, whatever. I just find a secluded area in the library. Also, if you absolutely don’t need a computer to study, then don’t bring it. Print out stuff if you have to. Computers and the internet are yet just another distraction.
-Everyone procrastinates. Its a fact of life that is almost impossible to avoid. I guess you just have to be cognizant of how much studying you can get done by massively cramming and such. There is a huge difference between the procrastinator who gets it together and studies like hell at the right moment and then does well and the one who only realizes that they’re screwed the night before the exam.</p>
<p>I heard @Whistle was an engineering major, hes been on the business boards a while… </p>
<p><em>when you read my post, he almost seems like a legend</em> lol</p>
<p>My GPA is so much lower than I’d like it to be because I used to rely on conceptual learning, which only results in Top Grades if you have a high IQ. I’m a low-IQ/high-GPA type at heart, so I prefer Memorization.</p>
<p>Whistle, I have to ask, is this the way you truly converse with people outside of CC, or is this just a front of some sort? Either way, its hilarious.</p>
<p>Depends on your major. I like notecards and Study groups, especially in classes that deal woth supreme court cases. 95% of what I do is write papers or short essay tests. Studying wig people helps, bc they probably can answer some of your questions and vice versa. If there is something you don’t understand, email the prof or go to office hours. They’re there for you to learn.</p>
<p>
I do this as well. Call me weird, but I’m the kind of person who talks to myself regularly, and I find that verbally reflecting on material I’ve just learned helps to really ingrain the information in my mind so that it sticks. If I can articulate it out loud, I’d have no problem thoroughly understanding and memorizing concepts and therefore performing well on tests and in the class.</p>
<p>
He’s “above answering that”.</p>
<p>Go to class -> take notes/listen to the professor intently -> read over the pertinent chapters in the textbook and do some practice problems -> go over the notes before the exam -> get a 4.0</p>
<p>^What if the exams are very little related to the lectures and book? =P I have had professors that were like that. Pretty interesting class I must say.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice! I think I’ll try to apply it, especially the studying in chunks and pretending to lecture and not studying in my dorm and exercising.</p>