Oh, so you’ve decided to take on Biology this year? All the animals, genetics, evolution and body systems that come with the course are very detailed. To be honest, you are probably overwhelmed out of your mind, I was too. To help you out, here are my Biology study tips!
My Biggest Personal Tips:
1. Notes
When it comes to Biology, notes will be your best friend. Make notes from your teacher’s prepared notes after every class. This allows you to revise the material learned and allocate importance to certain information. When making notes include diagrams, charts, definitions, mind maps. Revise notes regularly in Biology to be successful! If you have time, review the notes you’ve made everyday and understand them. This will reduce the pressure during test and finals week!
2. Cue Cards
It’s unreal how many vocabulary words Biology has! Unfortunately, we are expected to know all the definitions. So, make cue cards and practice them regularly for quick memorization. If you prefer to use digital cue cards, we recommend Quizlet!
3. Learn Concepts
Most biology teachers will have a few written concept-based questions. Therefore, make sure to review concepts using notes and practice short answer problems. If you are having trouble understanding concepts, clarify with your teacher a few days prior to the test! It is important that you don't simply memorize the concept, you must understand the concept as well and be able to apply it to test questions.
4. Practice Tests
Your teacher may provide you with a review of sorts! Complete the review and take the time to understand the questions as similar problems are likely to show up on your test. Use this practice to improve your understanding of the concepts you struggle with!
5. Learn from Labs and Assignments
Biology teachers can put multiple choice questions related to labs and assignments into their tests. So, you should definitely review your labs and assignments to be extra prepared for upcoming tests! Read through the labs and assignments and understand the big ideas! We suggest summarizing the big ideas on a sheet of paper for organizational and accessibility purposes.
Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Asking questions will not only help you understand the concepts better, but also allows you to build a relationship with your teacher. Therefore, make sure to clarify big ideas with your teachers before upcoming tests and finals!
Online Sources
We have the internet as an accessible source! You can find provincial exams, practice tests, assignments, videos, worksheets and pre-made cue cards online. Use the internet to your advantage!
Don’t forget to revise regularly and plan ahead for the upcoming quizzes, tests, and exams. Good luck!
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