How to study for A&P Adapted from “get ready for A&P” By Lori K. Garrett

Some questions Why do we study A&P? What did we hear from others about A&P course? Does the reason/what we’ve heard influences the way we study? May it affect our grades? If the answer to previous is “yes”, what can we do to change it? Can we change study habits?

How do we start? Write a commitment to yourself: I am going to be a _________________ Put the statement in a place where you can see it often (car, study area etc.)

Taking notes in class or do you try to write down everything in class? The instructor can not wait for you to copy from board/screen Usually, you have class notes/slides on website – Use time in class to listen and ask questions – Underline/color main ideas and key words/terms If you do not have the notes – Write main ideas in your own words – Use abbreviations As soon as possible after class read notes and improve them (if needed), write down new terms

Study at home or do you review what you’ve learned in class? Too many students study when they have to! Memorizing notes without understanding Don’t study only “ when get around it” Don’t make your studies the first thing you drop from your “To Do List)”

Schedule study time or Take charge of your time Decide when during the day you are going to study and STICK TO IT Write it down Plan minutes break for every hour of studying DON’T FORGET TO SLEEP

What to do when studying? First thing to do – specific assignments (lab reports etc.) Go over today’s notes Read corresponding section in textbook/lab manual Quiz yourself (use website of textbook/instructor) Review notes again and write down a list of things to clarify with instructor

What to do when studying? Long-term memory – active learning Take notes while reading Develop and answer questions Check yourself on the meaning of key terms (use definition list) If you have a study partner quiz each other

Not just memorizing!!!! Don’t just memorize – UNDERSTAND When memorizing: – If a question is worded differently than the way you memorized it you might not realize that you know the answer – You might give a definition that is incomplete if you forget words you memorized ( hormone/chemical messenger example )

Concept maps A good way to understand relationships.

No cramming allowed! Cramming is like pushing stuff into a full closet and slamming the door – what happens when the door is open? Same happens when you open the door of your brain after cramming – everything “falls out” Can result in mixed up information

No vampires allowed… Studying all night before a test is a marathon cram session held at the worst possible time! It is NOT EFFECTIVE You need to rest your body and brain the night before a quiz/test/practical For your brain to be kind to you, you have to be kind to it: –Eat Sleep –relax

How to read a text book or science book is not a novel

Survey the chapter Read – Chapter title – Goals – Introduction – Headings – Bold/italic items – Summary That gives you a road map of where you will be going

Make up questions Look at the heading of each section and form as many questions as you can regarding what you think should be covered by the section Write the questions down By having a set of written questions, you’ll automatically search for the answers

Read the chapter in details TAKE YOUR TIME After reading each section – Think about your questions – Try to answer them Read and recite

Review Go back to each section and see if you can still answer your questions

Test taking Read each question thoroughly before answering In multiple choice questions, cover the answers until you finish reading the question. Try to give your own answer before uncovering the answers If initially you do not know the answer – Think of all you know about the words in the question – Use a process of elimination and narrow down your choices After answering a question – Read your answer to make sure it says what you want – Than, LEAVE IT ALONE

Test taking Don’t worry if in multiple choice test you chose the same letter several times in a row Note the wording. Some key words to look for: – Always, never, most, some, all, none, is, is not Look for questions in the back of pages Be aware of point values of questions

Study groups When studying alone you may not be aware to your weaknesses In a study group you can: – Quiz each other – Split up material and than teach each other – Discuss – Help and support each other Best time to meet – when you are already in campus – after class

Individual accountability or “ I don’t know how I got C!” When we get frustrated we often look elsewhere for the cause You must do everything you can to guarantee your success (no cheating!!) Accept responsibility for you own effort No excuses – Think of any possible obstacle and plan around them (car problems, sick kids etc) – Have at least 2 solutions for each

Think positive Surround yourself with supportive people who are happy and proud of you – It may be friends, family, kids(!!!) or your study group Stay in track and you will soon be LIVING (not LEAVING) your dream

(Anonymous Student in Structure of the Human Body Course) "Make the notes your own. Draw them out right after lecture, and then draw them out again later." "Find a study group and study (with your notes) IN THE LAB. Discuss, make a game of it, whatever!" "STAY IN THE LAB; Dissect out as much as you can. Don't allow yourself the excuse "we couldn't find that". YES YOU CAN. Once you dissect something out for yourself, it's yours, you won't forget it." "You are going to use this information for the rest of your career, so remember to look at the big picture. You are learning this information so you can practice as a physician. You are not learning this information to pass an exam." "Be encouraged! This course is doable."