The study of how our body works has been the key to so many advances through the years. Biology is often called the scientific study of life and is a foundational subject in the field of medicine. However, no matter how fascinating a subject is, if you need to study for an exam, the material can turn frustrating.
Biology can be dense, and concepts in textbooks are often poorly explained. In fact, 94% of students above the age of 18 turn to YouTube for help with assignments.
Similarly, Ed-Tech companies have noticed how stressed out students can get during exam season. Add in complex science subjects, and it’s no wonder that students have a tough time.
Learning shouldn’t have to be something that keeps taking you to your wit’s end. In this article, we will look at three useful tips that can help you prepare without getting a migraine.
1. Don’t Study Specifically for the Test
The most effective approach when learning biology is to concentrate on understanding the topic rather than stressing over the exam. It’s normal to look at a chapter and wonder if it’s going to be on the test. However, you will never truly know the answer to that.
Instead, find key concepts in each lesson and thoroughly grasp what they mean. You should be aiming to have a firm conceptual understanding of each key concept.
This approach is useful if you have professors who enjoy assigning application-based problems.
They will want to see if you can answer the question in a conceptual manner instead of simply replicating facts.
Say you’re learning about cellular respiration, the process by which cells use glucose and other molecules to create energy. You may not want to explain it only in terms of the chemical equations involved.
Instead, focus on explaining why cells need to produce energy and how glucose is broken down to release it. You might go on to explain the role of oxygen in the process and how energy gets stored in ATP molecules.
Approaching biology in this manner is far more effective and will help you not just in the exam but also in the real world.
2. Prioritize Understanding of Principles Over Memorization of Facts
When you grasp fundamental principles, you gain the ability to understand complex concepts from ‘first principles.’ Let’s look at an example. Say you are asked about how the nucleotide sequence in mRNA is determined by transcription.
A rote learning approach would have you focus on memorizing the sequences of nucleotides in mRNA without really understanding what goes on in the transcription process.
For instance, you might be able to say that for a specific gene, the mRNA sequence is A-U-G-C-G-A. However, that would be a one-dimensional answer. Instead, focus on demonstrating your understanding of the transcription process. You would explain the core concepts behind each stage.
Proprep notes that you can talk about how the DNA strands are unwound and what the role of complementary RNA nucleotides is. When talking about elongation, you could describe how the RNA polymerase moves along the DNA template strand, adding RNA nucleotides.
With termination, you could explain how the newly synthesized mRNA molecules are released.
3. Arrange Concepts into Logical Groups
Sometimes, you might still find it hard to understand more complex areas. If that’s the case, you might find logical grouping a helpful approach. Using mental and visual aids can be particularly useful here.
You want to visualize the topic, its subtopics, and how each concept logically connects with the others. Analogies and mnemonics are also tried-and-tested ways that will help you better understand concepts. You will also find that discussing and explaining the topic is one of the best ways to understand something complex.
If you’re an introvert, you don’t even need another person. You could take out your phone, turn on the selfie camera, and record yourself. Then, listen to what you just said and see if it can be simplified or made clearer any further.
Lastly, you might find color coding to be a great tool as well. For instance, you can highlight the main concepts in red, secondary topics in green, and tertiary subtopics in blue. This makes dealing with large blocks of complex text far more manageable.
4. Harnessing the Power of Interactive Learning Resources
Interactive learning resources have burgeoned as indispensable tools in the modern educational landscape. The integration of online components like virtual labs and biology simulation software transcends traditional learning paradigms, weaving practical understanding into the fabric of theoretical knowledge.
These platforms offer a dynamic and immersive experience, rendering complex biological concepts into tangible, comprehensible entities. Virtual labs, for example, allow students to manipulate variables and observe real-time results, fostering a deeper, experiential understanding that textbooks often fail to deliver.
The amalgamation of interactivity and visual aids cultivates an enriched learning environment, enabling learners to grasp intricate details with enhanced clarity.
5. Mastery Through Practice Questions and Tests
The relentless pursuit of biological mastery is significantly augmented by diligent practice with questions and tests. These instruments of knowledge application are invaluable in transmuting conceptual understanding into practical wisdom. Practice exams and quizzes serve as barometers for comprehension, unveiling areas of proficiency and those requiring further refinement.
This approach demystifies the labyrinth of biological concepts, paving the way for targeted improvement and consolidated learning. By continually confronting and resolving diverse scenarios and problems, students can bolster their biological acumen, forging a robust foundation for advanced exploration.
6. The Collaborative Oasis: Study Groups
Study groups emerge as the crucibles of collaborative learning, melding diverse perspectives into a cohesive learning experience. Engaging with peers in these academic congregations can unveil novel explanations and discussions, enriching comprehension through collective insight.
The act of elucidating concepts to fellow learners not only reinforces one’s understanding but also unravels nuances previously unnoticed. This collaborative interaction fosters a mutualistic learning environment, enhancing the retention and synthesis of knowledge, making it a cornerstone for academic achievement in biology.
Conclusion
Science is always going to be a tough subject. When you are dealing with something as complex as the human body, feeling overwhelmed is par for the course. That said, it is possible to make studying far more effective.
Of course, there’s not much you can do if you are opening your textbook two days before your exam. Try your best to stay updated and on top of your coursework from day one.
