Author Topic: How to study for biology? :(  (Read 3840 times)

**RoRo**

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How to study for biology? :(
« on: November 20, 2010, 08:15:09 pm »
Hey guys,

I have a question, I don't know how have I survived my IGCSE Biology and got an A* in that, I mean of course I studied and hence the A*, but what I mean is that Biology is the only subject that I haven't been able to figure out a proper way to study for it.

And now that I'm doing AS Biology, things can't get any better!

I need someone to tell me a way - how can I study for biology?

I've got my own lecture notes, teacher's notes, textbook, a simplified notes book and last but not the least - internet!
Is having all these resources too much and very distracting?
If yes, what would you suggest that I do?

Any help, ideas or suggestions are most welcome!! :)

Thanks a lot in advance!

elemis

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2010, 12:51:38 pm »
The problem is you and not the resources.

You're probably way too distracted with other stuff.

http://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/index.html

^^Best site for bio help/revision.

Offline Master_Key

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2010, 01:12:06 pm »
It must not be distracting if you are a strong minded person. You may feel that studying biology is boring if you have too many resources, so if you feel like this then select out the best ones.

Hope you get on track!

Offline M-H

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2010, 07:29:51 pm »
Look. First, it's all about constructing your revision in an organized manner. Chillax  8)
Second and most important, you have to know the basic points of all the chapters. Yeah, I know what you feel with a load of resources. But they're all really basically just to explain the fundamentals. For example- in the case of human physiology- you'd have to know all the organs involved, their roles to carry out the main function. Like in the circulatory system-you'd have to know about heart, the blood vessels and all of that. What are their roles? How is it done? How is it carried out and etc-are really the basic things that your revision should be able to answer.
And then of course, you should know how to apply this knowledge. That depends upon the pattern of the Q paper. For the quantitative analysis- you should know certain formula or whatever that would be needed for the experiments.
I hope you got what I meant. Practice your papers, never fear any part of the chapter or questions. It's okay to make mistakes but remember not to repeat them once you know them. Learn more about the things the examiner would be looking in a particular Q-it just makes you smarter cz you don't have to beat about the bush-you know what to write to get your marks that way. CZ...using your ATPs to write all that should be really worth it innit :D ;)
Take care!!!
Nid is missed for answering BIO Qs :D
« Last Edit: November 21, 2010, 07:31:59 pm by M-H »

Amelia

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2010, 07:53:30 pm »
Firstly, I congratulate you for achieving Grade - A* in you IGCSE.  ;)

Biology is an interesting and vast subject. But their is nothing to worry about it. You dont need that many resources to study biology. A good text book and an attentive mind are the only things that are required. (The book Biological Science 1 & 2 by D.J. Taylor is sure to get you an A* in your GCSE's. ;))

Here is a link to good study tips for biology - http://biology.about.com/od/biologyhomeworkhelp/a/aa120705a.htm

I think, M-H has said everything worth knowing for this topic. :P

P.S - Any doubts or questions, we are here to help. Good Luck!
 

Offline M-H

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2010, 07:59:30 pm »
Hi 5 Amy!!! Another Bio luver ;D

Amelia

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2010, 08:06:07 pm »
Amy? or Amelia? :P

**RoRo**

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2010, 12:22:06 pm »
The problem is you and not the resources.

You're probably way too distracted with other stuff.

http://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/index.html

^^Best site for bio help/revision.

Okay...I don't think I'd be way too distracted for 3-4 years! LOL :D

Thanks for the site anyways, and yea, you could be right about being distracted, but why is it only for bio? Math and chem go pretty well with me!

**RoRo**

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2010, 12:25:04 pm »
It must not be distracting if you are a strong minded person. You may feel that studying biology is boring if you have too many resources, so if you feel like this then select out the best ones.

Hope you get on track!

I am PLUS a moody person too at the same time, in the sense I'd do something only if I'm in the mood for it, otherwise, no!
Except if I have a test and then, it's just like I don't have any other option but to actually study!

I find biology very lengthy and full of details and each book/resource has a part of the information!

I think I'd have to make a summary of all the points in all those resources and form a new book for me then!

Thanks Master_Key! :)

**RoRo**

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2010, 12:28:04 pm »
Look. First, it's all about constructing your revision in an organized manner. Chillax  8)
Second and most important, you have to know the basic points of all the chapters. Yeah, I know what you feel with a load of resources. But they're all really basically just to explain the fundamentals. For example- in the case of human physiology- you'd have to know all the organs involved, their roles to carry out the main function. Like in the circulatory system-you'd have to know about heart, the blood vessels and all of that. What are their roles? How is it done? How is it carried out and etc-are really the basic things that your revision should be able to answer.
And then of course, you should know how to apply this knowledge. That depends upon the pattern of the Q paper. For the quantitative analysis- you should know certain formula or whatever that would be needed for the experiments.
I hope you got what I meant. Practice your papers, never fear any part of the chapter or questions. It's okay to make mistakes but remember not to repeat them once you know them. Learn more about the things the examiner would be looking in a particular Q-it just makes you smarter cz you don't have to beat about the bush-you know what to write to get your marks that way. CZ...using your ATPs to write all that should be really worth it innit :D ;)
Take care!!!
Nid is missed for answering BIO Qs :D

mmmm... I like the last part about looking for what the examiner wants, I need that DESPERATELY!
Thanks a lot for your tips! :)

**RoRo**

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2010, 12:30:37 pm »
Firstly, I congratulate you for achieving Grade - A* in you IGCSE.  ;)

Biology is an interesting and vast subject. But their is nothing to worry about it. You dont need that many resources to study biology. A good text book and an attentive mind are the only things that are required. (The book Biological Science 1 & 2 by D.J. Taylor is sure to get you an A* in your GCSE's. ;))

Here is a link to good study tips for biology - http://biology.about.com/od/biologyhomeworkhelp/a/aa120705a.htm

I think, M-H has said everything worth knowing for this topic. :P

P.S - Any doubts or questions, we are here to help. Good Luck!
 

Thank you! :D

I have another text book by Mary Jones, it's pretty good too. I'll check the book you suggested in our school library then!

Thanks for the link, it gave me a few ideas to work on! :)

I know, that's one thing I love about StudentForum!

Thanks a lot!! :)

Offline Master_Key

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2010, 12:53:03 pm »
I am PLUS a moody person too at the same time, in the sense I'd do something only if I'm in the mood for it, otherwise, no!
Except if I have a test and then, it's just like I don't have any other option but to actually study!

I find biology very lengthy and full of details and each book/resource has a part of the information!

I think I'd have to make a summary of all the points in all those resources and form a new book for me then!

Thanks Master_Key! :)

You are welcome.  ;)

REMEMBER IF YOU FIND BIOLOGY VERY LENGTHY THEN INSTEAD OF READING TOO MUCH, UNDERSTAND IT!

I ADVICE YOU TO SEE MORE OF VIDEOS, FLASH AND ANIMATIONS IF YOU FIND BIOLOGY LENGTHY. IF YOU NEED LINKS THEN ASK.

Offline M-H

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2010, 01:19:31 pm »
Matey, for A-level Biology, Advanced Biology by Jones and Jones (i.e. Mary Jones and Geoff Jones) is like THE BEST. Also, if you're doing your exam under edexcel- Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology is great too. These books are the best I ever read. They're so cool :). They explain very very well. The book by Jones and Jones can be used by anyone anytime! And that's because it's follows the CIE syllabus-which's international.

It's not necessary for you to study thru videos and stuff like that always. It would just make your studying more interesting. But if you haven't done that ever, don't do that all of a sudden. For those who don't study that way, it can often be difficult to start and then continue. Anyway, you're good in any case, I mean hello an A* (By the way-congratulations :P :D). And about knowing what the examiner wants, go thru the mark schemes thoroughly and the Examiner reports-if you'd like to. Don't go thru a lot of them- the examiner reports. Remember you're doing that only to form an idea about what they're looking for-which is pretty much obvious from the mark schemes anyway!

Offline M-H

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2010, 01:20:19 pm »
Amy for short, ain't that okay?? :P :)

Offline Master_Key

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Re: How to study for biology? :(
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2010, 01:22:07 pm »
Matey, for A-level Biology, Advanced Biology by Jones and Jones (i.e. Mary Jones and Geoff Jones) is like THE BEST. Also, if you're doing your exam under edexcel- Salters Nuffield Advanced Biology is great too. These books are the best I ever read. They're so cool :). They explain very very well. The book by Jones and Jones can be used by anyone anytime! And that's because it's follows the CIE syllabus-which's international.

It's not necessary for you to study thru videos and stuff like that always. It would just make your studying more interesting. But if you haven't done that ever, don't do that all of a sudden. For those who don't study that way, it can often be difficult to start and then continue. Anyway, you're good in any case, I mean hello an A* (By the way-congratulations :P :D). And about knowing what the examiner wants, go thru the mark schemes thoroughly and the Examiner reports-if you'd like to. Don't go thru a lot of them- the examiner reports. Remember you're doing that only to form an idea about what they're looking for-which is pretty much obvious from the mark schemes anyway!

I agree with you. Its totally on the student. No one can explain in a better way if the student doesn't like that way.

I just advised because it was too lengthy for him.