How to Succeed in Honors Biology

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How to Succeed in Honors Biology

• A step-by-step guide

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Dont Panic!

• You can do it!
• Your teacher is here to help.
• Tutors are here to help.
• Your classmates are here to help.
• The website is here to help.

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Coming to every class is a good start...

• Course concepts are explained during lecture.
  You need to learn them by studying outside of
  lecture.
• You will get course updates, assignment due
  dates, and test dates in class as well as any
  changes in the course syllabus.
• You can set up study groups with classmates when
  you see them.
• Labs reinforce what you learn in lecture.

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Studying is the next step...

• You will have to study outside of class this
  material does not always come easy and there
  simply isnt enough class time to cover every
  concept in a given chapter.
• Expect to study 3 4 hours for every hour of
  lecture.
• Plan times in your day specifically for studying.
  The website calendar provides a helpful schedule.
• Study Groups work best!

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How should you study?

• Read your textbook!
• try to read ahead
• have a dictionary handy
• take NOTES... do not simply highlight!
• break chapters up into small chunks read a
  little each day!
• Read a chapter MORE THAN ONCE!

• Have the right disposition
• be awake
• be in a study-friendly environment

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How should you study? (continued)

• Use your class notes
• Re-write your class notes
• Compare your class notes to your textbook notes
• Print a copy of each chapter outline from the
  textbooks website prior to upcoming lectures.
• Write down anything you dont fully understand
  and ask your teacher during Academic Lab!
• Study with your classmates whenever possible.

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How should you study? (continued)

• Use the CD that comes with the book
• Memorization alone will not be sufficient!
• to understand biology you have to understand
  concepts
• learn the terminology as a stepping stone to the
  concepts (not instead of concepts)
• try drawing outlines and pictures when studying
• Most Important Use the course website and take
  advantage of all of the links and tutorials!

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Taking good notes in class is another important
step...

• How should you take notes?
• Use one of the methods discussed in class
• Concept mapping
• Outline method
• Cornell method
• Reduce the amount of writing you must do by
  writing your notes on a copy of the chapter
  outline.
• You can find each chapters outline on our
  textbooks website!
• Include any drawings or diagrams provided by your
  instructor.
• add a little figure legend or description of
  the drawing in your own words
• Include any stories or descriptions your
  instructor says (or acts out) that help you
  understand something.
• Add any ideas of your own that make sense to you.

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When should you be concerned with a bad grade?

• Students typically get similar grades on their
  tests as they do on their quizzes.
• Most students have low grades during the first
  three weeks of class.
• Students who procrastinate usually do poorly on
  tests and quizzes.
• Students who seek assistance in studying tend to
  improve their grades dramatically.
• A sheet entitled Study Tips will be handed out
  in class. Implement as many of the techniques as
  possible into your study routine.

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Now get started!