1. Are
you ready for the class? Everyone has to
start somewhere. Realistically, if you
are not reading at the college level,
it’s going to be very difficult to
read a college science text. And if you
haven’t had a science class in awhile,
starting in a college class is a real
shock. Reading will be fundamental to
all of the science classes. Some are
very high in vocabulary, like the
biology classes. Others depend on
written explanations to express
mathematical concepts, like physics
does. Often, the different sciences
reinforce each other. Physics concepts
are used to explain blood and air flow
in humans. Chemistry is essential to the
understanding of cell components.
Mathematics is used in both chemistry
and physics.
2. How
much time do you have to study? Sounds
silly, but you need an honest assessment
of the time you have available. The
quantity of information, particularly in
science courses, demands study on an
ongoing basis: cramming doesn’t work.
For example, you may determine that
because of your family, your job, and
other important commitments, you can
only study on the weekends and plan to
devote 8 hours a day for 16 hours a
week. Sounds good, but it’s not
quality learning time, because ideas and
concepts need your reflection and trying
to memorize everything in one sitting
just leads to frustration. It’s far
better to schedule 30 or 45 minutes of
absolute quality time each day! And
remember, studying is different from
reading the text. You do have to read,
but reading for introduction is not
studying the material and committing it
to memory.
3.
Where do you study? Pick a place where
you can concentrate. It should be
comfortable but not too comfortable! If
you have a break in class use the
library here on campus. If you don’t
have to come to campus, go to your local
library. Oftentimes, if you try to study
at home, chores get in the way. Some
students tape record lectures (ask your
instructor first!) and listen to them in
their cars traveling. You can also read
definitions yourself onto tape and do
the same thing!
4. How
do you use your texts? Science texts are
all very similar in their appearance.
There is usually an outline and the text
has appendices and glossaries and an
index. Use the provided outline as a
base for your note taking. If you’ve
already got that, it’s much easier to
take notes. Look for bold print and
italics. Don’t use highlighters in the
text; whatever is important is in bold
print or italics. Make certain to read
graphs, tables and diagrams. Often
information is presented there in a
different way. This is where you should
use your highlighters. Take a look, you
won’t find bold or italics in the
diagrams! Answer any and all questions
in the text and at the ends of chapters.
Do not wait for them to be assigned!
5. What
are ancillaries? This is the
"extra" stuff that you get
with your texts. Often this includes
access to a web site for the text. Be
careful! There’s usually a card with a
password that you’ll need to use these
for a particular text. This is a
valuable resource for students to use.
Make time to get comfortable with the
use of computers and getting information
from them. No matter what you do this is
going to be essential as a job skill.
There may be atlases or other print
materials available as well.
6. What
about the instructor? Yep, the
instructor is a resource as well. He/she
can explain things to you in oral
discussions and can answer your
questions. If you’re shy, or feel
uncomfortable, email them with your
questions. Make an appointment to sit
down with the instructor for particular
questions. If they ask the class if
there are questions, that’s your
chance!
7. What
about tutoring? Tutoring works IF you
seek help early and use tutoring to get
over a rough spot or two. Tutoring
cannot re-teach and cannot be a
substitute for daily study. Tutors have
lives and classes too! They can’t be
expected to arrange their schedules to
help you.
8. Use
techniques from other classes. COL 103
is an introduction to college and is
recommended for any student. But the
techniques introduced there won’t work
if you don’t apply them to your
academic courses! Time management, study
skills, note taking and test taking
strategies are all things to be used in
context! (See the two handouts
attached.)
9.
Attend class! It’s very important to
attend class and be ready to learn. Have
questions ready, pre-read the material,
review from last time. Be in your seat
before the class starts.
10. How
do you take notes? There are lots of
techniques, but one that’s very
successful is no matter how you take
notes, recopy them at home when you have
the time to be neat. In class notes can
be messy, have errors or gaps, and often
contain abbreviations and jargon not
easily understood after some time
passes. Copying your notes over forces
you to review the material and to
correct these things.
11.
NEVER GIVE UP! Be realistic about what
your goals are and what you want to
accomplish, but never give up. Given
average ability and determination, most
people will find a way to succeed.