How to Survive Introductory Science Classes

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"Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow."
- Maria Mitchell, astronomer and a founder of the Association for the Advancement of Women

Being in a class with 200 other students may seem daunting. Big science courses are infamous for being impersonal, and HARD -- designed to cut down on the numbers of potential science and premed students! Don’t become a victim! Follow these guidelines to ensure a positive experience:

1. Get to know your professors early in the year.

• Bug them when you have a question. That’s what they get paid for!
• Make sure they know your name; don’t become a number.
• Sit in the front row, or close to it. This helps the professors get to know you and helps you pay closer attention.

2. Always attend class even if it doesn’t seem worthwhile.

You never know what you might miss, and studying will be much easier if there aren’t holes in your attendance. Use your instructor as much as possible. They are the expert and are there to help you.

3. Take good lecture notes.

• Identify the main points.
• Don’t cram everything on one sheet of paper. Use adequate spacing so you may add comments later. Each lecture should begin on a new page. Use margins for questions.
• If you miss something, see the professor after class.
• After each lecture make sure your notes are complete. This will help you save time studying for you next exam.

4. Always read the assigned chapters before coming to class.

This is the only way to fully understand the material that is being presented, and prevent you from falling behind. As busy as you are, find the time to read the book before the lecture and you will be amazed at how much easier everything seems.

5. As soon as something becomes unclear, ask for help.

If you wait until the night before the exam to track down your professor, it will be too late. As soon as you identify a concept that is unclear, meet with the teaching assistant (TA) or professor. They know what will be on the exam, and they will be able to provide the best information.

6. Do your ENTIRE problem set (and extra problems if you have time!).

Doing problems from the book is the best practice for tests. Problems similar to those on the problem set are guaranteed to appear on the exam. Make sure that you can do all of the problems, and that you understand the general concepts of each question. Staying on top of the problem sets will mean that you won’t have to cram for the exam.

7. Form a study group -- and actually study!

Each week, check over your problem set and review concepts with two or three other friends. You will be more likely to actually study if you meet in a classroom or group study room in your library -- NOT the TV room! Before you start, decide what you are going to accomplish and stick to your plan. When you complete something, reward yourselves with ten minutes of chitchat or a trip to the vending machine. By discussing problems out loud, you will be more likely to remember them on the exam.

8. Don’t just memorize -- actually understand the material.

Problems on the exam will most likely not look exactly like the problems from the book. Therefore, it is not enough to simply memorize steps and terms. You must understand the concepts so that you can apply what you know to a new problem. Even if you don’t get the entire question correct, you will receive a lot of partial credit if you can show a good understanding of the material.

9. Do not cram for the exam!

Start studying at least one week before a big test. Do not leave all of your studying to the night before. Schedule in studying times. Familiarize yourself with the test by asking your professor how long it will be and what kinds of questions will be on it. Try to get sample exams. When studying, make study sheets or flash cards. Test yourself and then review the material. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before!

10. Don’t panic during the exam!

Arrive early to class so you can get settled. When you receive your test do the following: jot down any information you think you might forget, read the directions carefully, preview the entire test before you begin, allocate your time, and work on the easier questions first. Try to refrain from changing your original answers. If you are making an educated change, then do so. Otherwise, do not fall into that trap of doubting yourself. Save time at the end of the exam to review your test. If you don’t do well, don’t sweat it! There will be plenty of opportunities to make it up.