How to Succeed in Science Courses…

1. How to Succeed in Science Courses… while really trying! Dr. Kris Dougherty

2. “A day without learning is a day without living.” Lou Holtz • You’ll be living life to the fullest in science courses!

3. General Success Skills • Learning styles • Time usage • Class preparation • Effective reading • Test taking strategies • Study environment • Get help • Accountability

4. Know your learning style • Are you a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner? • http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/learning-style/index.html • At this website, you can take a survey to determine learning style and get tips to help you study more effectively.

5. Time usage • Where does your time go? • Are you overscheduled? • See handout for two tables to help answer these questions. • Do you schedule your study time? • Study at regularly scheduled times • Do you use your study time effectively? • Take short breaks as needed • Study on the go

6. Preparation for Class • Read the chapter before attending class • Don’t come to class “cold” • Take notes • Know what you will be doing – read and follow schedule • Prepare questions to ask in class • Start to learn the vocabulary • Sit in front, away from your friends

7. Effective reading • SQR3 Method • Survey – overall look at selection • Question – write down questions you think will be addressed in a section and try to search for answers • Read – note details, take time • Recite – work on recall. Try to answer questions from recall • Review – Reinforce memory • I would add “Reread” – especially after class

8. Test taking strategies • Come early to test • Be well-rested and fed • Bring required materials • Take a few deep breaths • Survey the test- do higher point questions first • Read all directions and follow carefully

9. Test taking strategies • Read questions carefully • Look for key words • Do easier questions first • Go with first answer • Eliminate choices methodically • Look for hints/answers in other questions • Essay questions: • Use specific words - avoid “it”, “things” • Be clear – say what you mean, mean what you say • Use proper grammar and spelling

10. Study environment • Dedicated study space • Organize your space • Control interruptions • Remove distractions • Inspirational or motivational setting

11. Get help • Free tutors at every campus • Office hours • Communicate with professor • Textbook websites/course website • Study guides • Study groups

12. Accountability • Ultimately your success depends on you. • Is this really what you want to do? If so, commit to the process. • You earn your grades. • W.I.N. strategy – Lou Holtz

13. Specifics to Science • Time commitment • Preparation for lab • Performing experiments • Tackling vocabulary • Application/Critical thinking • Metric system • Building foundation

14. Time commitment • Science with lab = 4 credit hours, but equivalent to 6 credit hours of class time • Should plan about 12 hours study time/week per science with lab course • Possible biggest barrier to success is lack of time for preparation – overscheduled or lack of commitment • Find creative ways to have more study time

15. Preparation for Lab • Read lab before attending class or lab • Don’t come to class “cold” • Come prepared to do the lab • Prepare questions to ask during pre-lab explanations • Complete pre-lab if required • Wear proper clothing, shoes, goggles, lab coat, etc

16. Performing Experiments • Experimental protocol • Follow directions carefully “IODIGTDAB” • Do not skip steps • Follow safety rules • Follow proper disposal • Answer questions/make and record observations during procedure • Record all data – do not change data • Interpret data and complete post-lab questions/assignments

17. For each lab:Address these 4 questions • What did you USE? • What did you DO? • What did you SEE? • WHY DID YOU SEE what you saw?

18. Tackling Vocabulary – learning science may be like learning a foreign language • Drill, drill, drill • Learn common root words, prefixes, and suffixes • Examples “hypo-”, “hyper-”, “emia” • Apply what you already know • Anabolic vs. catabolic • Spelling is important • ileum vs ilium • ethane vsethene • nucleus vs nucleolus • What’s a nucleous?

19. How many new words to learn? • Streptococcus pneumoniaebacterium, often called pneumococcus, is a small gram-positive flattened coccus that often appears in pairs. It is α-hemolytic on blood agar. S. pneumoniaeis normal flora in the upper respiratory tract of 5-50% of people.

20. How many more new words to learn? • Pneumonia is likely to occur when mucus containing a load of bacterial cells passes into the bronchi and alveoli. The pneumococci multiply and induce an overwhelming inflammatory response. The polysaccharide capsule of the bacterium prevents efficient phagocytosis, with the result that edematous fluids are released in the lungs.

21. Application/Critical Thinking • Move beyond memorizing • Understand concepts • Apply ideas to new situations • Think for yourself • Useful for your career and all areas of your life

22. Metric System • Used by all science and medical fields • Need to learn the base units and the prefixes • Know relation to English units • Be able to convert within the metric system and between metric and English • Feel confident with the system

23. Building Strong Foundation • Science classes continually build on prior knowledge • Be sure to master key information as presented during the semester • Professors will expect you to perform at higher and higher levels as you progress along your academic path

24. Words of Wisdom from Successful Students • “Read every chapter twice” • “Make complete study guides” • “Read ahead – don’t wait until last minute to study” • “The only thing i did was to listen to you during the lectures and try to interract, answering your questions and trying to come up with my own questions which would help me to understand the subject better. Rereading the material after the lecture helps a lot as well. i downloaded the lectures online and put in on my phone. and i was listening to the lectures on my way to class. it was taking me about 35 minutes to get to Lake Nona campus and it added up a lot. and explaining the material to my classmates is a great way to remember.”

25. Words of Wisdom from Successful Students • “Five rules for success” • My first rule for success is to set and complete both short and long term goals. • My second rule for success is be dedicated and well prepared. • Thirdly, a consistent systematic approach to life whether it be studying for school, training in sport, or developing a healthy relationship is essential to being successful. • Fourth, and I cannot stress the importance of this rule enough; you are only as successful as your level of responsibility. • My final rule for success is to always remain humble.

26. Acknowledgments • Get Ready for Biology, Adapted from Get Ready for A&P by Lori Garrett • Wins, Losses, and Lessons by Lou Holtz • Valencia faculty • Valencia students