Study Suggestions - 2015-2

Biol 215 - Study suggestions:
Students always ask How should I study for your class? This is a difficult
question for me to answer as everyone learns differently. What works for one
person may not work for another. I personally learn best by reading, but many of
my college peers found study groups very helpful. The suggestions below are just
ideas that may help you. However, it is up to you to find out which learning
strategies work best for you.
Where to start?
If I were a student in this class, I would make sure to attend class
regularly. If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances and are
unable to attend class, make sure to watch MediaVision. Everything
you need to know for the exams is presented in class. Soon after
class, you should complete the learning objectives using the lecture
slides along with your notes from class and the readings. You should
then attempt the MasteringBiology assignment(s). You should use
the textbook for clarification of any topics you feel unsure about.
Before class, skim through the suggested pages before class, focusing on the
major concepts (SKIM through, dont read everything!). As you skim through the
material, take brief notes, write down any questions you may have and bring those
notes/questions to class. As the material is covered in class, make sure your
questions are answered. If not, ask!
DO NOT STOP HERE!!! You WILL NOT master the material by simply attending
lecture or going through the learning objectives just once! YOU MUST
REPEATEDLY REINFORCE THE COURSE MATERIALMORE THAN ONCE. How
can you reinforce the material? Again, only you know how YOU learn best. Find a
strategy (or several) that works best for you, and repeatedly reinforce the
material.
Suggestions for reinforcing the material:
Rework MasteringBiology Assignments
End of chapter questions
Chapter quizzes on the textbook website
Study groups teaching a topic to someone else is a very good way to test
your knowledge, even if you think you know a topic very well! Do you know it
well enough to explain it to someone else in a meaningful way?
Prepare a mock quiz/exam what sorts of questions could be asked of a

topic?
Flash cards good for memorization (e.g. amino acids)
Online quizzes many textbook publishers have online resources that apply
to our course. For example, google the phrase aerobic respiration multiple
choice quiz and you will find a plethora of resources!
ESS campus resources SIs, peer tutors. For more information please visit
the following link: http://studentaffairs.case.edu/education/resources/tutoring/peer.html
After repeatedly reinforcing the material outlined in the learning objectives using
the strategies that work best for you, you should try to complete the learning
objectives without using any class materials (i.e. without your notes, without
looking at the text, without looking at the slides). Try to complete the objectives
on your own. That is essentially what you will do for the exams. So your goal when
studying should be to complete the learning objectives on your own, without any
crutch materials.
Make sure you are organized!

There is A LOT of material in this course. Please do not wait until shortly before
the exam to begin studying. You should make a regular study schedule and stick to
it. Set aside a block of time and STUDY! Find your prime time for studyingwhat
time of day are you the most mentally alert? Try to schedule your study time
during your prime time. Remove all distractionse.g. turn off your phone, shut
down your email, turn off your music/TVthese things can wait until you are
finished studying. Do not try to multi-taskcontrary to popular belief, we can only
effectively focus on one task at a timemake it studying for BIOLOGY during your
dedicated study time!!!
You should continually study the material as the course progresses,
reviewing your study guides daily. Items such as an academic calendar and a daily
planner are essential! They will help you stay organized and keep you on track. Stay
committed to your study schedule, and make sure to reward yourself! If you skip a
day, dont beat yourself up. Just get back on track.
Asking questions in class:

Please feel free to ask questions in class!!! Although you may feel intimidated to
ask questions in front of so many people, just keep in mind that you are here to
learn. If you dont understand, ask. If someone makes fun of you for your
questionthey are a jerk! Remember, this in an introductory class. Although some
students may have had previous exposure to some of the material, for most of you
this is new material. If something is not clear to you, chances are that it is not
clear to others as well. If we dont explain something clearly and no one tells us, we
wont know! So please, dont be afraid to be vocal in the classroom. We welcome
your questions and your feedback.
This class is designed to be highly interactive. I will try to engage you in
different ways. A good deal of that focuses on me asking questions to the class as
a whole. Some of these questions will rely on the iClicker response system. Others,
I am expecting a vocal response. As before, please dont feel intimidated to answer
questions. Your answers to questions provide valuable feedback. And please keep in
mind that no one knows everything, even your instructors! It is OK to be incorrect.
That is part of the learning process.
You are SO MUCH MORE than just your grades!
It is great to work with Case students! You are bright, motivated and hard
working. You strive to earn the top grades. While it is great to have goals to work
towards, we all need to recognize that sometimes we may fall short. What happens
if we dont meet our goal of earning an A in a class?
Here is a theoretical example:
Lets say a student is a senior and has earned 114, GPA is 3.863. They take 14
credits in the Spring Semester of their Senior Year. They earn the following
grades:
4cr A
4cr A
3cr B
3cr B
Total Credits Earned: 128
Their new GPA: 3.829
Now lets say this same student earned a C in one of their 3 cr courses:
4cr A
4cr A
3cr B
3cr C
Total Credits Earned: 128
Their new GPA: 3.806
So, you can see the overall impact on your GPA by earning a C in a 3 cr course.
Please keep in mind that Grades are only one aspect evaluated by post-graduate
programs/employers. Other important factors:
- Are you involved in extracurricular activities?
- Do you demonstrate leadership skills?
- Do you volunteer your time to help others?
- Have you made connections with faculty who can personally evaluate
you and eventually write you a very strong support letter?
If, during this class, you consider dropping the course because you think you cant
earn an A, please discuss this matter with your academic advisor to obtain his/her
advice. If you are considering a health-related career (e.g. dental, medical,
veterninary, etc.) you should also discuss this matter with Steven Scherger in the
Deans Office: [email protected]
RELAX!!!
Most importantly, make sure you take time to relax and have fun! It is important
for you to do things outside of the academic aspect of college in order to stay
balanced. Research has proven that taking breaks from work (studying is work!)
helps to increase productivity. You must take time to nourish yourself mentally as
well as physically. If you can only spare a few minutes a day, take it! You can do
quick, easy things like going for a short walk, doing some deep breathing or
stretching exercises, or taking a short nap. Find what works best for you, but make
sure you do something regularly.
College is supposed to be fun! This is a time for you to explore, make new
friends and discover new thingsabout the world and yourself. The people you
meet now will likely become lifelong friends and colleagues. It is very easy to
become overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities. Know that you are not alone
and that you have many resources to help you manage your stresses. If you are
feeling overwhelmed, make sure you reach out to someone elseyour family, your
friends, your classmates, your instructors, university counselorswe are here to
help you.

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Biol 215 - Study suggestions:

Prepare a mock quiz/exam what sorts of questions could be asked of a

Make sure you are organized!

Asking questions in class:

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