BIOL 2213  HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Effective Study Habits for This Course   updated see test skills

Our 1st premise is that you have matured sufficiently 
1] to have personal and professional goals and know that you
will work hard to acheive them;
2] to accept responsibility for learning;
3] to commit time and energy required to master the material;
4] to enhance your learning experience by attending class, 
taking notes, forming study groups and asking questions.

That being said,  
A. Before Each Class
1. Budget 1-2 hours of time. Get your schedule and text.

2. Identify the upcoming topic in the schedule and the corresponding 
textbook chapter.

3. Scan those parts of the book chapters indicated. The goals at this 
point are
a. to survey the upcoming material
b. to become familiar with the key terms [make use of website for text] 
c. to make a topical outline of the major points in the text
d. to understand the figures and tables: read the legends carefully; they 
should be intelligible, independent of the text.

4. If something is unclear, don't get hung up on it; mark it -  pay 
particular attention in class.  Email question if not covered in class.

Note: This first step is critical. It will save you much unnecessary note 
taking (because you know what is in the text), and it will help you to 
focus your attention in class (because you already know which parts were 
difficult for you). If you cut the preparation before class short, all 
subsequent steps will become so much less efficient.

B. During Class
1. Take notes on those issues that you do not remember being in the text 
and on those items that are emphasized.  Topical notes are a minimum.

2. Be especially attentive when those parts are discussed that seemed 
difficult during your preparation.

3. Ask questions when the opportunity arises.
Note:  Attending class can be an enjoyable experience. For the most part, 
things should be clicking into place right then and there. If you feel 
overwhelmed in class, you need to invest more in your preparation 
(step A).

C. After Class
1. Budget 1-2 hours of high quality working time. Get your notes, web 
materials, and textbook.

2. Go over your class outline point by point. Check whether you remember
a. key definitions
b. major phenomena and concepts
c. related experiments (design, controls, results, conclusions)

3. Read any textbook and underline or make notes in the margin for 
emphasis

4. Study and review topics on text website.  Practice answering the 
questions found there.

5. If anything is unclear check your notes and the text (there is good 
index). If an item is still unclear, mark it for clarification in 
discussion section or study group.

D. In Study Group
1. Form a group of peers who are interested in learning. 
2. Come with questions prepared.  Participate - this is not the time to be 
modest or shy.
3. If anything is still unclear discuss it with the instructor or 
assistant instructor after class or during office hours.

E. Before Exams
1.  Familiarize yourself with the various formats of exam questions. We 
will discuss a few sample questions before the first test. 

2.  Repeat steps C and D.
 
TEST TAKING SKILLS

Budget time.
Read and FOLLOW directions.
If short essay, analyze what you are asked to do -
The following words are commonly found in essay test questions. 
Understanding them is essential to success on these kinds of questions. 
 Know these words and answer appropriately:
 
 ANALYZE: Break into separate parts and discuss, examine, or 
       interpret each part. 
 COMPARE: Examine two or more things. Identify similarities and 
     differences. Comparisons generally ask for similarities morethan 
     differences. (See Contrast.) 
 CONTRAST: Show differences. Set in opposition. 
 CRITICIZE: Make judgements. Evaluate comparative worth. Criticism 
         often involves analysis. 
 DEFINE: Give the meaning; usually a meaning specific to the course 
       of subject. Determine the precise limits of the term to be defined. 
       Explain the exact meaning. Definitions are usually short. 
  DESCRIBE: Give a detailed account. Make a picture with words. List 
         characteristics, qualities and parts. 
 DISCUSS: Consider and debate or argue the pros and cons of an 
          issue. Write about any conflict. Compare and contrast. 
 ENUMERATE: List several ideas, aspects, events, things, qualities, 
            reasons, etc. 
 EVALUATE: Give your opinion or cite the opinion of an expert. 
           Include evidence to support the evaluation. 
 EXPLAIN:  Interpret, include definitions, give reasons systematically 
           and thoroughly
 ILLUSTRATE: Give concrete examples. Explain clearly by using 
         comparisons or examples. 
 INTERPRET: Comment upon, give examples, describe relationships. 
            Explain the meaning. Describe, then evaluate. 
 OUTLINE: Describe main ideas, characteristics, or events. (Does 
         not necessarily mean *write a Roman numeral/letter outline*.) 
 PROVE: Support with facts (especially facts presented in class or 
        in the test). 
 STATE: Explain precisely. 
 SUMMARIZE: Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions. 
            Avoid unnecessary details. 
 TRACE: Show the order of events or progress of a subject or event. 



GOOD LUCK