I’ve especially been struggling with biology, I use the study habits that have worked for me in 7th and 8th grade, but I’ve failed every test so far, which has been horribly affecting my GPA and no longer making me eligible for certain clubs at school, help !!!
There’s a difference between PASSIVE learning and ACTIVE learning; and studies have shown that ACTIVE learning reigns supreme for the retention of knowledge. But what does this mean? Here are some examples:
Passive Learning:
- rereading or highlighting notes you’ve taken in class
- reading straight from a textbook
- studying through flashcards such a quizlet
- watching a video or re-listening to a lecture
Active Learning:
- paraphrasing and subsequent summarizing class notes
- creating your own quizlet
- asking yourself questions that compel you to research/learn more
Never do this:
- Copy notes, either from lecture or from your own notes
- Use a pre-existing set of study cards—create your own
- read or highlight a textbook/notes without critical thinking
Good to do:
- create your own acronyms, abbreviations, etc.
- create a rhyme/song of concepts
By Active learning, I mean taking the initiative to recreate your studying rather than mindlessly adhering to information you already know. Why copy notes directly when you can paraphrase or summarize notes into your own words? Many people have become accustomed to this studying because it is most comfortable, it is easy, and it requires less of us. This will never work.
Allow me to suggest a small informational video about a former medical student and his experienced study habits: (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1JqFJdptTto).
Use the app flora, you grow a tree and if you go on your phone while working then if kills your tree! doesn't seem very helpful but trust me it does, also live study with me's really help
I completely understand! I had the same problem going from middle school to high school and now doing college level work while in high school. Personally, I've found that the best way to study is to take notes and phrase the concept, question, etc. in many different ways so no matter how it's phrased, you'll be able to identify the term or concept. And it helps!! Also Quizlet is the best, because you can take tests from your study sets and be asked true or false, matching, and fill in the blank questions, which has really helped me!!
Reading out loud is really useful too, because you're using more than one of your senses. I record myself reading from a textbook and then go back and listen to it while silently reading along.
Hope that helps:)
Get rid of your phone. I cannot stress this enough. Turn it off, have your parents take it, charge it in another room, whatever you need. When you have your phone, you're thinking about when someone will text you or a million other things. You could also study somewhere outside the house. I know that kids are still doing online learning in some places, so if you have the opportunity to go to the library or Starbucks or somewhere without a bed, you are going to fare much better. This wasn't an option for me for a while, but I learned that wearing uncomfortable pants or shoes and stuff really does help. You could also get a study group together if you are allowed to gather with people, where you go over the highlights with each other.
Here are some study habits and strategies that might work for you, especially in biology:
1. Active Learning Techniques
Summarize Information: After reading a section of your textbook, write a summary in your own words.
Teach Someone Else: Explain the concepts you’re learning to a friend or family member. Teaching is a great way to reinforce your own understanding.
Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for key terms and concepts. Apps like Quizlet can be very helpful for this.
2. Effective Note-Taking
Cornell Notes: Use the Cornell note-taking system, which involves dividing your paper into sections for notes, keywords, and a summary.
Diagrams and Charts: Biology often involves processes and structures. Drawing diagrams or charts can help visualize and remember them better.
3. Study Regularly and Break It Down
Consistent Schedule: Instead of cramming, study a little bit every day. This helps with long-term retention.
Break Down Topics: Divide the material into smaller, manageable chunks. Focus on one chunk at a time rather than trying to understand everything at once.
4. Practice Tests and Quizzes
Past Papers: Practice with past test papers or sample questions. This helps you get familiar with the question formats and time management.
Online Resources: Use online quizzes and resources to test your knowledge. Websites like Khan Academy offer excellent biology resources.
5. Study Groups
Form a Study Group: Studying with peers can provide different perspectives and help you understand difficult concepts. Just make sure the group stays focused.
6. Healthy Study Environment
Quiet Space: Find a quiet, distraction-free environment for studying.
Organized Space: Keep your study area organized with all necessary materials at hand.
7. Utilize School Resources
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for extra help or clarification on topics you find difficult.
Tutoring: See if your school offers tutoring services. Sometimes upperclassmen or teachers provide extra help sessions.
8. Mind and Body Care
Regular Breaks: Take regular breaks during study sessions to avoid burnout. A good rule of thumb is a 5-10 minute break every hour.
Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and exercising regularly. Your brain works better when your body is in good shape.
Specific Tips for Biology:
Mnemonics and Acronyms: Use mnemonics to remember complex processes. For example, to remember the order of taxonomy: "Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup" (Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species).
Relate to Real Life: Try to relate biological concepts lunwenhelp.com/biology-daixie/ to real-life examples. This can make them more interesting and easier to understand.
Videos and Visual Aids: Use videos and animations to understand processes like cell division, DNA replication, etc. Sometimes seeing it in action helps more than just reading about it.
Remember, it's okay to ask for help and it's okay to adjust your study methods as you find what works best for you. Good luck!
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Good day! Interesting information. Thank you.