STUDY TIPS FOR SCIENCE

• Learning from Your Science Notes Recopying and organizing your notes is a great, active study method. Use your own words and organization; concentrate as you make this new copy of your notes. If you can only copy over and memorize the original wording, you probably don’t really understand the concepts. Copy your notes over neatly so that they will still make sense to you when the material is not fresh - like at test time or during finals. Use flash cards for appropriate material (terms, diagrams, flow charts, etc.).

• Learning from Science Textbooks

• Class lectures can provide a good overall structure of the course, you can use your text to clarify and supplement your lesson notes.

• Briefly preview the content and look at the questions at the end of the chapter (CHAPTER AND UNIT REVIEW QUESTIONS ARE KEY!).

• Read actively and read to understand thoroughly.

• Analyze example problems by asking yourself these questions:

• What concepts, formulas, and rules were applied?

• What methods were used to solve the problem? Why was this method used?

• Have any steps been combined?

• What differences or similarities are there between the examples and homework problems?

• Check to see how the material relates to previous material. Ask yourself:

• How was the material different from previous material?

• How was it the same?

• What totally new concepts were introduced and how were they applied?

• Where does this material "fit" within the overall structure of the course?

• Learning by Problem Solving

• When working a problem, follow these steps: Read through the problem to get an overview. Read through the problem again for the purpose of finding out what the problem is asking for (your unknown). Be able to state this in your own words. Read each phrase of the problem and write down (symbolically or otherwise) all information that is given.

• Devise a tentative plan to solve the problem: Think of every formula or definition that might be relevant to the problem. Work backwards; ask yourself, "What do I need to know in order to get the answer?" Relate the problem to a similar example from your textbook or notes. Break the problem into simpler problems. Work part of the problem and see if it relates to the whole.

• Learning with a Study Group. An effective group usually has 3 to 6 members who are serious about doing well.

• Study Groups meet at least once a week –

• Some functions of study groups include: Reviewing copies of each others lecture notes to fill in gaps. Reviewing outlines of textbook chapters and noting areas that are unclear. Completing and reviewing assignments and explaining or reviewing additional problems or questions in preparation for exams. Developing outlines of important material with each member preparing outlines on specific topics. Using index cards as study aids, especially for facts and definitions of terms. Practicing answering questions and problems like those that are likely on a test or exam with each member preparing problems and solutions. The best place for the group to meet is at school.
  

• Managing Learning Time Studying should be an ongoing process. Study as the material is being presented, not just the last couple of days before a major test. It is particularly important to review your notes later on the day the lecture was given, even if the review is brief. A quick review that same day promotes the movement of material into long-term memory. More review will still be necessary, but not as much as otherwise might be the case. For most people, it is far more effective to study in many short sessions than to cram during long study sessions. Develop a study schedule including travel time, meals, work, sports, sleep and all leisure activities. Overestimate the time your assignments require - a rule of thumb is for assignments is to add 50% to the time you think it will take. Be specific about daily study plans - indicate what textbook sections you want to read, or what assignments or problems you want to complete. Concentrate your work at the beginning of the week - you have more energy and can complete readings, outlines and reviews before lectures. Vary your study activities and don't study any single topic for more than 2 hours at a time. After 2 hours change to another topic or activity or take a 10 to 20 minute break. Allocate your time realistically - schedule study time when it can reasonably be done and allow for special needs - schedule your most difficult work at time when you can work effectively and uninterruptedly. Take into account non-academic time constraints like a job, or community work. Schedule some leisure time, preferably a free day or evening toward the end of the week. Stick to your schedule otherwise you will have to give up your free time, making it that much harder to follow the schedule.