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HINTS FOR SUCCESS IN BIOLOGY 106 1. Be There or Beware. Attend all lectures and take notes. Exam questions will be heavily based on topics covered in lecture. The lecture outlines are outlines only; you will need to take additional notes. The text readings should be used as a supplement. Experts on learning recommend that students copy class notes into a second notebook within 24 hours of each lecture. If you miss a lecture, copy the notes from a classmate and be sure that you pick up handouts that you missed. 2. The 106 IMAX Theater. Always keep the "big picture" in mind. Understand how the concepts and examples covered in the course fit into the broader framework of organismal and evolutionary biology, and how they connect to one another. By understanding the big picture, you won't fall into the trap of simply memorizing details without being able to generalize or apply them. 3. F·r·i·e·n·d·s Work with your classmates. There is no predetermined grade distribution for this class, so you are not in competition with your peers. o To give each other the best opportunities to learn, please be cooperative about lending notes to classmates who missed a lecture. Sometime you may need the same favor. o Study groups are a very effective way to go over and assimilate course material, particularly before an exam. Go over confusing concepts or problems, review study questions and course topics, and pitch potential exam questions at one another. Often people think that they understand something, but having to explain it can point out angles that were not fully understood. Also, if you think that you've got it but you really don't, others in the study group will catch you and prevent you from stumbling on an exam. 4. White Rabbit Principle of Unnecessary Point Loss. Come to lab on time, and be punctual with assignments so that you do not forfeit points. 5. T.A. Use and Abuse. DO use your T.A.s! If you have a problem or do not understand a particular concept, meet with your teaching assistant. Don't let yourself fall behind because this course keeps building on material covered in previous lectures, and you will tend to slip further behind. DO NOT expect your T.A . to rearrange his/her schedule to meet with you at the last minute before an exam or before a lab report is due. T.A.s think that they have a life too.
Terrific Tips from your helpful, inspiring, and dedicated T.A.s: o highlight and complete your lecture notes the same day while things are fresh in your mind o form study groups; they work best if they're not too big; make sure that everyone contributes o go to every lecture and sit in the first 5 rows; use the book as a complement to the lecture, not vice versa o try to explain what you're learning to someone who's relatively clueless about the topic, like your parents - if they get it, you've done an ace job with the explanation and you really understand it o that "big picture" thing again - know where things fit in and how concepts connect to one another o keep up with studying so you're not cramming 10 lectures worth of material the night before an exam o please ask questions - they are always welcomed and will always be respected as important
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