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The following tips come from students who have earned an A in past semesters of this course. I think you will enjoy reading the students' advice in their own words, but you might also want to take note of a few simple themes that appear over and over:

• go to class;
• focus on the material when you are in class (i.e. don't goof off, or you're wasting your time);
• complete the assignments; and
• ask for help if you need it

Fall 2008

Student #1:
My helpful hints to the rest of the lucky people that stay enrolled till the end would be to never get behind.  I was one of the lucky people to get to take the LON-CAPA assignments rather then having to take them in lab.  I had a scheduled time I would take them every Sunday night (since they were due the following Tue.)  Also, pre and post lab work I always tried to get done ahead of time.  Pre lab was done two days before because often times you can't trust the computers so you don't want to have problems the night it is due and needing to be turned in.   The same goes for post lab I usually did it the day after I had lab.  Labs can seem long but there are really not that many and most of them are REALLY fun.  I will be honest and say I never read unless I needed clarification on a specific subject.  Lectures are great and if you copy down just about EVERYTHING she says you should be great on notes as well as understanding the material.  It is however, helpful to look over a new chapter to get an idea of what to expect for the next few weeks.  I would say to download the online book because it is easy to use.  Go to every action center (this is THE MOST beneficial thing you can do besides attending class everyday) as well as taking advantage of office hours. Good luck and remember it's interesting stuff that applies to everything! (and no, I am NOT  a biology major!  ha!)   

Student #2:
I would say the most important thing is GOING TO CLASS. The lectures are the richest part of the course and provide the most material when studying for exams. Besides going to class, the action centers helped me both times I was able to go because I've found that studying with other students helps to conceptualize the material. Use the review sheets that are posted and be sure you know everything on the sheet, not just by definition, but also how it all relates. Don't just memorize, actually UNDERSTAND the material. Also, it helps to break the material down into sections and begin studying a few days before the exam so that on the day before the exam all you have to do is review a few things you might still be struggling with. Flashcards are always helpful but again, be sure you aren't just memorizing definitions and are actually understanding how everything is connected.

Student #3:
My first tip would have to be going to class. I went to class everyday and that definitely helped me a lot. You receive all the information you need to know for the test in class and also what information you don't need to know, which is extremely helpful when studying for the tests. I would also say to check her website for the study guides, note layouts, and practices tests. Print out the practice test and take it before you start studying; NO CHEATING. Then once you complete the entire test check your answers and that will help you figure out what you need to focus more of your study time on. Then I would suggest going through your notes with the note layout sheet and answering all the questions on the page; make sure you have complete understanding of the questions, not just a definition. Next I would print off the study guide, read the sections mentioned, and answer the questions it points to at the end of each section. Once all this is complete go back and make concept maps for each chapter; this was one of the most helpful things I did while studying. With the concept maps you can connect the topics and see how they relate to each other rather than just memorizing definitions, which WON'T HELP YOU ON THE TEST! These few things take time though; don't wait until the night before the test to start studying. You will stress yourself out if you try cramming all the material you need to know in one night, so spread it out and focus. The class is only difficult if you don't try, put in some effort and the class will be a breeze. Good luck!

Student #4:
There are two things that helped me to earn an A in the course. The first thing was the correct mental state! A person who believes they can earn an A will be much more likely to earn the A in comparison to one who doubts themself. Second, I looked back at every single question I missed in class, whether it was a clicker quiz, exam, or lab, and learned why I missed those questions. This helped me to look over concepts that I may not have yet understood and prepares me for future assignments. Overall, having confidence in my capabilities, completing every task in the course, having excellent attendance, and learning from my mistakes helped me earn the A in the course.

Spring 2007

Student #1:
One of the main things to do in order to receive a good grade is to go to class. It is very important, not only because of clicker points, but also Dr. Hoefnagels explains things in the best way possible to make it easy to understand. Sometimes trying to learn something from the text can be difficult. I usually started looking over my notes and typing them at least a week before the test. Then, I would go through and type out as many questions from the notes I could come up with and create a separate document that had the answers. I also took the review outline that Dr. Hoefnagels posts online and made sure that I had everything lined up. One thing that I had problems with in the beginning was preparing for the lab quizzes. In my experience, the best way to study for them is to take notes from the lecture your TA gives in lab and look over the lab in the lab book -- pay attention to bold terms! Also, make sure to remember the online quizzes and homework given in lab. They really add up!

Student #2:
The easiest way to make a good grade in this class is to go to class as much as possible and pay attention. I know everyone has heard this a thousand times, but it's true. The one time you slack off in your note-taking or skip a class to go shopping will be the day that the professor covers something that will be on the test half a dozen times. The lectures are the easy part; it's the tests and quizzes that are harder to keep up with. Online quizzes are best dealt with if you make a schedule. For example, if you make it a point to finish your online quiz on Monday evenings, after a few weeks it becomes second nature to get it done at that time, and there's less of a chance that you'll forget about it. Lab quizzes are a little trickier since it takes a couple weeks to get used to the TA's questions and grading. The best thing to do is to read over your lab manual a couple days before you have lab, then to skim the lab chapter again just before class to brush up on anything you may have forgotten. As for studying for exams, the easiest thing for me was to find ways to relate to Biology while I was doing other things. For example, if I was cooking dinner, I would think to myself "Now what is the purpose of this egg - an elmusifier - in this recipe?" By doing that, Biology became more familiar, and therefore much easier to understand. Furthermore, make sure that you are actually STUDYING when you 'study'. It's very easy to go over to a friend's house to study and get caught up watching TV or playing on Facebook the entire time. If that gets to be a problem, chances are you'd be better off studying alone for an hour or so before you go anywhere else to study. During the test, go for the partial credit. Partial credit is your friend. If you don't know all of a written question on the exams, write down EVERYTHING you know that relates to the topic. Chances are some of it will be relevant, and believe me, 1 point out of 3 is better than nothing. Finally, if you have a question, ask it. Someone else is probably wondering the same thing.

Student #3:
Studying for Dr. Hoefnagels' Concepts in Biology class is actually pretty simple because she provides you with an immense amount of information on what to study and how to study. The most important thing to do is attend every lecture. Her lectures are interesting and prepare you for everything you need to know for the exams. Another benefit of going to class is the clicker quizzes and pop quizzes. These are really helpful because they show you whether or not you are understanding the material -- plus they boost your grade! As far as studying outside of class goes, I found it very helpful to type up my notes and then fill in the diagrams by hand. After doing this it is also good to continuously go through the notes and fill in the gaps with the book. Fortunately she provides you with old exams on her website. If you take one before you really begin to study and then one after, it will allow you to see where your weak points are. Looking over the online quizzes and discussing the information with friends in the course are also really helpful ways to consider studying! This course if very organized and outlets are available to help you with it, you just have to be organized and willing to take the extra step! -Good Luck!

Student #4:
My study tips more or less follow along the lines of your study minutes in class. I really like to have someone quiz me after having studied for a while. I always took the old exams from your website (including the final ones). I was never very big on flash cards for this class because I tend to use flashcards for more definitions and things, and I quickly found that that wasn't at all what your class was about. The concept maps you had us do in class were very helpful, but hard. I never really did many on my own, though I probably should have. The thing that really helped me the most to study for this class was rewriting my notes before each exam. I would rewrite and consolidate my notes that pertained to the test that was coming up. That was probably the most useful study tip for me personally, and then with the added quiz session at the end.

Student #5:
To study for an exam, I would take a practice exam about 3 days ahead of the exam to see what I knew or still didn't understand. I wrote down the concepts that I had trouble with and looked them up immediately so I wouldn't forget. The next day I would read over my class notes and handouts to refresh all the information. The night before the exam I would take the 2nd practice exam and see what last few concepts I didn't get. Then I would look over my notes once more before bed. The morning of the exam, I scanned my notes to keep all the terms fresh in my head. I'm a vey visual learned and have generally useful photgraphic memory, so as long as I could see the terms several times I could remember what was important about them. I also have a system of memorization that helped me keep lists straight.

Fall 2006

Student #1:
To earn as best a grade as possible, it is necessary to go to class every day. The points that can be earned in class through the pop quizzes were what pushed me ahead in point totals. Don't let their small point value fool you because they start to add up quickly. Also take the online quizzes seriously as well. They seem like they take a lot of time and are overwhleming at first but you get used to them and they get easier as you learn what they are like. Also in preparation for the tests I looked over my notes twice and then took one of the practice tests then looked notes over again really focusing on the topics where I missed questions. Then I took the next test. And did the same to it. For the final exam, I not only used the final exam samples but I also took the multiple choice sections from the earlier tests as well.

Student #2:
I would say the two main things that contributed to my grade would be doing all of the material that was assigned and also doing intentional studying. I think doing all of the in class quizzes, the internet quizzes, the discover assignments, and the lab assignments not only cushioned my grade, but it also forced me to learn concepts that I didn’t grasp as well. When it came time to study for the exams, I did it very systematically. Before I did any studying at all I took the first practice test. Most of the time I did very, very, very poorly on both the multiple choice and the short answer. This was basically a reality check; obviously I didn’t know it. Then I would write out the study guide section by section. After every Roman numeral, I would go back and really study that section by going through the study guide and making sure I knew it. After I felt pretty confident with the material, I would take the second practice test to see the areas I needed to go back to. Then I would study those sections until I felt comfortable with them. The morning of the test I always studied for an hour or so and would go to your office hours if I had any last minute questions. And that was basically it! I think one of the main things, along with studying for the exams, was just to have the mindset from day one that this IS a five hour class, and it IS going to take a lot of work, but I CAN make an A.

Student #3:
I would like to point out that in nearly every one of these tips, there is one thing mentioned far more often than anything else:  class attendance.  There is a reason this is so prevalent, because so much of your grade comes from quizzes, participation, lab grades, and the like.  Trust me, in the end, every little point matters, so going to class is definitely important.  Also, since notes are not provided for you, attendance is the best way to make sure you have all of the information and notes that Dr. Hoefnagels finds important.  If it is important enough to spend time on in class, it's important enough to appear on an exam.  Also, do not hesitate to approach her for help.  She knows exactly how you are doing in the class and for the most part can identify which areas are giving you problems based on your quizzes, exams, and other assignments.  However, she can't help you to understand or work on these areas unless you go and talk to her about them.  Also, be sure to utilize her study tips.  She supplies tips that she perceives are a good way to study for the exams.  In preparing for the exams, the best approach to studying is learning the material, not memorizing it.  Take the old exams one at a time.  After each one, identify areas you missed, or were unsure of, and go over that material in your notes again.  Then take the next exam, following the same approach.  Take advantage of every opporunity this class presents.  It will expose you to many of the different styles of learning you will find in college, and it is absolutely interesting if you really try and explore the topics presented. 

Fall 2005

Student #1:
Unlike many entry level courses, if you want an A in this class, you will have to work for it. Do not expect to skip every other class and make an A. So first and foremost, GO TO CLASS! Lecture is actually interesting almost every time and Dr. Hoefnagels makes it interactive and funny. I am a political science major, about the farthest from biology, and even I thought this class was interesting---even more interesting than some classes in my major. Additionally, the pop quizzes are practically FREE POINTS. You get to work with a neighbor for the answers. But if you skip class, you automatically get a zero and those zeros ADD UP. Second, follow Dr. Hoefnagels' study tips. She's not giving you study tips hoping that you secretly fail. These study tips WORK. And if the person who writes the tests is telling you the correct way to study to get A's on the tests, then you should listen to her! Third, NEVER EVER EVER skip lab. There are at least 10 points possible every lab, if not 20 or 25. That doesn't sound like a lot but 0/10 points = 1% off your final grade automatically and when you're sitting at an 89 at the end of the semester, you're going to wish you had gone to lab. Plus, the quizzes the next week in lab are on the previous week's material, so if you skip one week, you're probably going to fail the quiz the following week. Finally, stay on top of all of your assignments. Nothing in this class requires you be Albert Einstein, but it does require that you complete things on time. There are online quizzes, pop quizzes, discover assignments, and e-mail quizzes. Just make sure you get it done on time and you should get all of the points which will set you on the path to an A.

Student #2:
First of all, I went to class! Then when studying for the biology tests I started about a week in advance (I am not good at studying for long periods of time so I did a little bit each day). First, I rewrote all of my notes, which takes a while but it is helpful when trying to remember everything. Then I would do the old exams and see how I did, and go back and find the answers to the problems I got wrong and go over those topics again. Then mostly I kept going over my notes and comparing them to the book, and just making sure I understood everything.

Student #3:
I went to every single class, took good notes, and made sure I understood the lecture. I used the old exams as a diagnostic. I also typed up my notes after each week (ideally) of lectures using the outlines provided on this website. I used the insert picture feature to add diagrams and pictures, and pasted in handouts. Using the outline form helped me to see how all the topics were related. Also, actually typing the notes in -- rather than just reading over the handwritten ones -- forced me to make sure I understood the material. I typed in what was on the slides in class, and for difficult concepts explained it to myself in my own words. Although it did take me some time to type all the notes, it was very helpful. The notes were easy to use as a reference when I was studying for the tests and the final. If you study hard and do well on the midterm exams, there will be no need to worry about the final. Your class grade will be high, and you will retain much of the material from previous tests. Good luck!

Student #4:
First, go to class. Make sure to read the textbook, but learning the material in class is vastly easier than trying to learn it primarily from the textbook. Second, take thorough notes on what is discussed in class. Third, make use of the online material; the websites and practice tests are a huge help. Finally, ask questions.

Student #5:
Always try to maintain a positive attitude. When in class (hopefully always), try to stay positive about being there and also about the material being presented. This will keep you focused on taking good notes and learning the material. It is extremely easy as a non-biology major to get lax in your studying and note-taking skills in this class. Fight the urge to slump down in your chair, and always focus on what is being said. The more you pay attention in class, the easier the material will come to you when studying for the exams. Also, try out the ideas that Dr. Hoefnagels presents in her "Study Minute" segments. Some you may like, some you may not. I found that if I tried them at least once, I probably have either used them to this day or have adapted them in some way to use in my studying. Lastly, always do the Discover assignments to the best of your ability and think twice on all of the H-ITT quizzes; there's no use in giving away easy points.

Spring 2005

Student #1:
ALWAYS attend classes. Try to never skip a class. Take really good notes (I always brought my laptop; it was quicker and my notes were a lot neater). Make sure you always do the pop quizzes and HITT questions in class. Write down the HITT questions as you do them with the correct answer. Mark on your calendar the days when a new Discover Assignment or WebCT quiz is up and promptly do them the day they are available -- do not wait until the last minute.

Student #2:
Attending class every time is imperative to doing well in this course. Just being there and taking down what is off the screen and paying attention does wonders. This was my hardest class last semester and did not think I would be able to make an A in it. The best way to do well on the exams is to print out the study guide she puts up on her website. This allows you to see what you need to cover to be prepared for the exam. The old tests are a great way to test your knowledge before actually taking the exam. I only used the study guides once before finals because for some reason I just never thought of using them as a study tool, but the one time I used it I got the highest of all my three exams. Go to the lab. If you are making alright grades in the class, the lab can bring up a grade level as it did to me. Try not to miss any because the points will add up if you do. Keep studying and working hard for finals. I know it is the end of the semester and you are wanting a much needed break, but if you can focus your grade will reflect the hard work. The improvement policy probably put me into the A range. Just enjoy the class, there are some really cool things you get to see.

Student #3:
Make biology a priority. Remember to take weekly quizzes online and don't blow them off, because they are easy As that really can contribute to a good grade. GO TO EVERY CLASS. The lectures are far from boring because the professor is always upbeat and smiling and funny. She seems to put a lot of work into her lectures - you can tell from her powerpoints. Think of your work as giving back the effort that she has put in to teach you. Make notecards weekly over your notes. KEEP your notecards so that you can just look through them for the final (although you will have a stack about 6 inches tall of notecards!). When there is a chart that has information that needs to be memorized, such as the phylums of the animal kingdom, trace over the lines, leaving the phylums and info blank. Then make a lot of copies and test yourself until you are confident you could redraw the whole thing. (When you get to your test, draw it on the back before you even start!) Write down the H-ITT questions. They make for good notecards. Participate in lab - it's really not that hard, just time consuming. Be personal with your professor - she really seems to want to help and is an amazing person!

Student #4:
I think the best advice is to go to class and take detailed notes. Keep reviewing your notes during each week so you will not be overwhelmed when it is time for an exam. Also, ask questions during lecture or actually visit Dr. Hoefnagels during office hours if you do not understand the material.

Student #5:
Keep all your notes and at the end of a section staple them all together and keep for the final. When it comes to studying for the midterms I printed them off and kept them in my back pack about a week and a half before the midterm, then when I was sitting in class waiting for class to start I'd go through and look at them. First I'd answer all the questions I knew. Then I'd go through and put a square around the questions I could answer but only because I could do process of elimination but not necessarily because I understood the material, and I'd put a circle around the questions I just didn't know. Then I'd go back and read through my notes paying particular attention to the areas that were either squared or circled on the old tests. Also use the office hours. Either have specific qustions already outlined to ask or just go in and explain something to her and see if you're understanding it right. It will keep you from wasting your time on material you already understand or don't need to go over. It's not impossible to make an A in the class; you are provided with every opportunity to succeed if you just keep up.

Student #6:

• Go in with a positive attitude!! It CAN be done!
• Go to class and actively listen -- draw the diagrams and everything
• Take quick notes that you can go back and re-write neatly later -- this helps because if there is something that you forgot to put down or can't read in the notes you can get it answered before test time arrives
• Ask questions to make sure that you really understand
• Go into office hours -- Dr. Hoefnagels is there help and will do whatever she can to help her students understand!

Student #7:
My best advice is to show up every day. I missed a few days and those were the parts of the test I didn't do as well on. You can get notes from someone else, but it's not the same as being there and listening to the stuff that generally doesn't get put into someone's notes. And find someone who is willing to listen to you explain stuff to them. It's so true that if you can explain it to someone, then you've got it down. And last never say you know something if you know you're not answering a study question right. You may think you'll get it on the test, but you won't.

Student #8:
I guess the best way to study for this class was to go to class!! Nothing is better then getiing the information directly from the professor who can clarify any doubts, and the points from the HITT were a huge help in earning points and helping me think about the material just covered in class. If I got a HITT wrong, I knew right then that I had to work on that specific topic and took note of it. (I kind of made an outline on what I needed to study the most). Another way I was able to get an A in this class was by talking about the material with friends from the same class. Once I was able to tell the story, of say cell division without looking at my notes, I knew that I had mastered the material and taking the midterms was simply a matter of retelling the story in my head, a piece of cake! Finally, professor Hoefnagels' office ours are a gold mine. She is more then happy to help and not going to see her is a big mistake. The list of topics and things to know seems way too long and hard, but with a good organization it's not that bad (it's still a lot of work, but hey that's what college is all about).

Student #9:
What helped me study was really going to class, and taking clear, neat notes so that when I reread them it is as if I were in class, and imagining you telling them . Because I am a bit lazy rewriting them takes too long! Since I have a visual memory, as I reread my notes I write the important parts on a different sheet, and make sure I learn the material and understand it . The most important is to understand. Studying with someone is always helpful if you don't understand a concept! Doing all the assignments and pop quizzes is also really important because it is a different way to approach the material you learned in class!

Student #10:
I attended all of the lectures (except for maybe one). This was very helpful because the information was presented in organized, entertaining powerpoints which made it much easier to remember it. Taking notes on ALL of the information, including details, also helped a lot. I definitely recommend taking the practice tests from the website because that allows you to see what topics will be prominent on the test, and to realize which subjects you know a lot about and which you still need to study.

Student #11:
The best thing that anyone can possibly do is GO TO CLASS! She is a great teacher and will make the material interesting so that you DO pay attention. Also, there are so many points to be earned in class and in lab that if you do miss them, it'll hurt anyway. Use her study tips, use the old exams that she posts. In the end though, I would have to say that I learned more in this particular class than any other class that I have taken at OU (and this was an intro class!), and it is all applicable to life, so it is such a fun course, just take it with an open mind, go to class everyday, and listen!

Fall 2004

Student #1:
Going to class is probably the best way to stay on top of things; and it's fun too. I think it's important not only to go to class,but to actively pay attention. I's easy to get all the H-ITT and WebCT points. Those points are important in the end. I missed a WebCT quiz once, and my grade plummeted a couple of percentage points, but only because I hadn't missed any points earlier by keeping up with the quizzes and H-ITT points. For tests, I looked over the outline and made sure I knew about each of the points. For one of the tests I had a study party and we played biology charades with different terms and ideas. Yep, so go to class, pay attention, do all the quizzes, and play charades.

Student #2:
I highly advise you to go to class! Not only do you get points (which do add up) but, go figure, you actually learn a lot and then you are not left cramming at the last minute! As far as studying for tests goes, I would always go over my notes and then take one of the practice tests, only using my notes if I had to. Then, I would take the second test with no help from my notes, grade it, then find out what areas I needed more help in, and focus studying those. I would finally take the last test without having looked at my notes for awhile, so I would know if I was truly prepared. Right before the test I read through all my notes so everything would be fresh in my mind. Just don't slack...go to class, do your assignments...all will be good!

Student #3:
*Go to class and pay attention.
*Take awesome notes.
*Think about how everything relates to everything else. Try to visualize how and why things happen and what it would look like.
*Take lab seriously.
*Take the quizzes and the H-ITT quizzes seriously.
*Give yourself enough time to study, just go over the awesome notes you took earlier.

Student #4:
Go to class! You wouldn't believe how much easier it is to understand when she explains it than when you are reading it from a textbook. Also, it really helps if you take good notes (notes that are broken up into specific topics with headings and sub-headings) and read over them for ten or so minutes a day.

Student #5:
I found that going to (and paying attention in) class was most beneficial to my success. The discover articles are also very helpful in seeing how the subjects we are learning about actually fit into the world of biology. I sometimes read more than one discover article than I needed to, and if interested I looked up more information on the topic with a quick google search. I ended up learning more than is taught in class however that extra knowledge reinforced what we were supposed to be learning about and many times on exams I found that my looking deeper into things helped me. Previous tests on Dr. Hoefnagels' website were helpful in preparing for the final.

Student #6:
My suggestions are more simple, general, and kind of abstract because I think that studying is very different for a lot of people, so all I really think that I can say without personally describing my methods would be to say 1) figure out for yourself what works and what kind of a learner you are closest to (visual, audio, kinesthetic), and develop tricks that help you to retain information; and 2) keep in a positive environment that's not too distracting.

Student #7:
First, I made it a priority to attend every lecture. Second, I do everything I can to comprehend what was said during that lecture (some people attend without focusing, and instead waste their own time). Third, take comprehensive notes. Copy at least everything in the powerpoint presentations with side notes further explaining what was in the slides.

That's about all that I did right. Now for the things that I did wrong and regret. If I had attended all the lab sessions, then I would have made a higher A. Granted, an A is an A, but I was sweating the final nervously and I would not have had to worry if I had the extra 35 points that I lost due to absences. So I recommend that people attend every lab, and do every assignment. Even if they don't do well, a D on any given assignment is better than a zero.

Student #8:
You must go to class to earn a good grade in this class. In class the lectures are easy to follow, much more so than if you are trying to teach yourself at home with your book. If you are in class and have a question, you can ask it, another luxury you don't have on your own. Most of the test material is taken straight from your lecture notes, so if you have well organized notes, you are likely to do well on tests. I always typed my notes on the computer to make them more organized and then made an outline of the things I needed to concentrate the most. It's much easier to flip through a couple of typed papers than a whole stack of notes. It's also very important to turn in every assignment because everything helps!

Student #9:
Well, first of all I WENT TO CLASS!! But, I'm definitly not perfect and when I did miss class, I was sure to immediately copy notes from someone. Secondly, take advantage of all the easy points there are to be earned. Go to lab... do your best on H-ITT questions... remember to do your 5 point quizzes every week (write them in a planner)...get your Discover assignments in on time. All these things aren't hard at all and give a good foundation. Third, take advantage of office hours if you don't understand something, it really helps a lot. For the tests, I just studied. I didn't do anything great, I honestly just started to study a couple of days before the tests. Just make sure your study time is quality...that is that you are really understanding the material because a lot of Professor Hoefnagels' test questions have to do with concepts.

Student #10:
I think the best thing to do is go to class!!! And you should really take notes. Draw all the diagrams unless she provides them on one of her helpful sheets. The notes aren't hard to follow if you understand the material and if not, you should take advantage of office hours. Make sure you ask questions and participate. Sitting near the front helps as well; it keeps you involved. The old tests help. Fill them out with what you know first and mark what you're unsure about. Study what you don't know. If you're confident about a subject, move on. Also, cramming doesn't help a whole lot.

Student #11:
The most imporant thing to remember is that every point counts. It may seem as if the lecture quizzes or the extra points in lab aren't imporant, but in the end it all adds up. As far as studying for the exams, I would write my own exam as if I was giving it to the class, and through choosing questions and coming up with appropriate answer choices I learned so much. At the beginning of the semester when I got the syllabus, I made a calendar for the entire semester that included the due dates for Discover assignments and a study plan for every test. I gave myself small study deadlines every Friday, so that when the week of the test came around all I had to do was a general review of the notes. Good notetaking is important, and if you can it helps to write the different examples that Dr. H gives for various concepts, because when you go back over your notes and see those examples you'll be able to relate to and remember the concepts better.

Student #12:
I took an old test, studied what I missed and then took another. Everything else I did involved going to class and taking good notes.

Student #13:
First of all, it is so important to attend every class and take very thorough notes. Even if you do have a friend in class that you can borrow notes from, it is so much easier to understand the material if you are actually in class listening to the lecture. Secondly, what really helped me was recopying my notes. Rewriting all of my notes really reinforced my comprehension of the material. I also recommend actually reading the material in the textbook before you take each WebCT quiz, instead of just looking up the answers. That way, you have some background on the lecture material, which really makes lectures easier to follow and understand. But don't use that as an excuse to blow off lecture! Even if you've already read the material, having someone actually teach it to you really helps you understand it.

Student #14:
The most important thing is to understand what's going on with the material, which allows me to do well on the exams ... For most classes, I briefly read everything ahead of time ... Then, I always go to the lectures, where I can ask questions about what I didn’t understand from the readings. If the material is new or difficult to grasp, I re-read the readings and my notes ... If I still can't write volumes on the subject, I search the internet, call up knowledgeable friends, and I review the readings again. If that still doesn’t work, then I stare off into space for a while until things start coming together (by far, this is the most effective method of learning) ... When the exam arrives, I usually know everything I need to know, so I make sure that I am not stressed out. I'll glance over the material briefly, go skateboarding, watch a movie, get enough sleep, possibly consume 100mg of caffine, eat a good breakfast, search for the pencil I don't own, and arrive at the exam fairly early (make sure to bring a good eraser if you don't own a pencil!).

Student #15:
I know everyone says goes to class and I agree. If I missed a class, I got notes right away from someone from the class and studied them. Then if I had a question I went to Dr. Hoefnagels office hours and asked for help. As for office hours use them if you do not understand something. I found that going to office hours answered questions that the book or my friends couldn't answer. Also, study the "stuff" you don't know!

Student #16:
I made sure I came to class. If you aren't there and something important was explained (which usually happens) you may never understand the concept. I typed my notes, and when Dr. Hoefnagels posted her outline, I would take my notes and plug them in under her outline! I made sure I didn't miss anything because sometimes even when I was there I would notice that I didn't get something on the outline. Also by typing the notes you are keeping it fresh in your head and it helps you know what you do and don't understand. A few days before each test I would make note cards by going through my notes and making a note card for everything possible. I think that just making the note cards helped the most! Don't rely on others to contribute to your studying. I had a study group and they weren't as dedicated as me, in fact they missed class a lot, but they didn't make A's either. This class is time consuming, but it's fun. Also, lab is imperative. Just go. I know it's long, but the extra credit points and HITT questions make it important.

Student #17:

[Note that this student did NOT earn an A; but he/she did do something that some of you might wish to do: raised his/her grade from a D (at mid-semester) to a B (final course grade). I thought some of you might want to see how his/her study habits changed]

The biggest diference in my studying was how many days prior to the test I started going over everything. For the first tests, I would stay up all night and cram the best I could and take the test with no sleep and an overly crammed brain. I have found the more time you give yourself, the better you will feel going into it. The first couple days of studying, I just sort of skimmed over all my notes and then I broke up all the material into 4 sections and intensly studied 1 section per day and then the day before the test I skimmed over everything again and I gave my notes to my friend and he tested me over everything for a long time. A lot of hours, but it definitely paid off!

Spring 2004 (Dr. Hobson taught)

Student #1:
My number one tip for students would be to go to class - I learn best when I can see examples of the topics and have something in my memory to refer to as we went over it in lecture. Also, in preparing for exams, I always took advantage of the past tests. They really give a good idea of what information will be on the test. For the final, I studied with a classmate - sometimes it's easier when you hear another student's way of understanding, and helping someone else learn makes things more concrete in your own mind. Other than that, I just studied my notes from lecture and completed the quizzes, which were also a good indicator of test questions.

Student #2:
I feel that the largest reason for my success was going to class. Pop quizzes end up being a large portion of your final grade [instructor's note: 10%], and I found that I did not have to spend as much time studying because I retained the material from lecture.

Student #3:
(1) Type the lecture notes at the end of each week. This way, you can organize and review your notes at the same time. This also prepares you for the study guide -- all you will have left to do is cut and paste. (2) Work out all old tests and check with a study buddy. Highlight the ones you have trouble on and find out the answers. (3) On test day, wake up early, eat a good breakfast and do some last minute reviewing before you take the exam. (4) After the exam, keep the multiple choice questions. This is good for two things: to check your answers and to study for the final later.

Student #4:
The thing that definately helped me the most in studying for tests in this class were the old exams. I answered and studied all of those, as well as looking over the practice quizzes at the back of each chapter in the book and main points from the notes taken during lectures. Good advice -- never procrastinate! :)

Student #5:
To get an A, I made sure to finish all the online assignments on time and used the webct quizzes to get the main idea from the week's readings. Then, to study for the test, I simply read through my notes and would glance at the previous tests to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

Student #6:
I would advise students to study old tests, review their notes weekly, and really understand everything that is on a power point slide during lecture!

Fall 2003

Student #1:
I did four things which I think helped me on the tests. The first thing is that I never missed class; just going to the lecture is the easiest thing you can do to help your grade. Second, before tests I printed off the outline and used it to help me go through my notes. Third, once I knew the outline I would have a friend go through it and ask questions, and I would explain each part of the outline. Fourth, I printed off all the old exams, took them, and tried to determine why the wrong answers didn't fit. Like if one wrong answer had more to do with DNA than lipids I could understand both concepts better.

Student #2:
I went in there with an open mind knowing that if I had a negative attitude about the class then it would be a bad class, but if I had a positive attitude about the class then the class would be great.
Second I made sure to go to class and do the WebCT quizzes. The most important thing though was ... put[ting] the effort into the class so that I could walk out learning as much as I could. The A was just a bonus; I didn't really care about the grade as long as I know that I did my best.

Student #3:
In order to make an A, you should make sure to do all the little assigments. The WebCT quizzes and pop quizzes in class add up to a lot of points and they can really help your grade if you do them all. Also I suggest that you study the lecture notes for at least two days prior to the test. [Note from MH -- studying them a couple of times a week would be even better!] Don't wait until the night before the test to start studying. Also the online chats are very helpful.

Student #4:
GO TO CLASS. When it comes to test time you will be surprised at how much information you retained just by going to class and listening to lectures. This in turn will cut down on the amount of time you need to study.

Student #5:
Early on in high school, I realized the best way for me to study. I think that it is important for everyone to discover their own style and stick with it. The biggest thing that helped me in this class was "coming to class." Really that is the key. Also going to lab is a major key because every little point counts. Be careful not to consider assignments and quizzes to be insignificant because they are not worth many points. Also WebCT chats are like the coolest thing since lined paper. They are so helpful if you go and inquire about material you do not understand.

Student #6:
My advice to students looking to get an A in your class would be to simply go to class and take good notes. Before every test I also summarized all of my notes and read them over 2 to 3 times. It is very time consuming, but pays off in the end.

Student #7:
To earn an A in this class stay on top of the online section of the course and also the lab points, these are easy points to get but also easy ones to lose and they add up. As far as the tests go, make sure you set aside plenty of study of time to understand the study guides and use the practice tests.

Student #8:
The best way to have success in this class is to take advantage of all the free points. It would be pretty easy to give away points early in the semester which you later wish you had back. Do well on the WebCT quizzes, Discover Assignments, pop quizzes, and all the lab stuff and you're set. I made an 85, 85, 82, and 86 on the tests and still made an A in the class because of all my other grades (plus improvement points). As for the tests, I'd say the best way to study is to use the practice exams to evaluate where you are. It's really easy to just fill in the answers on all three exams and think you're ready when you're really not. Trust me, that approach will end in disappointment. Study up to the point that you'd feel comfortable taking one of the practice exams as if it were the real test. Those are the tips but in reality the way to succeed in this class is the same as it is in all classes, show up and work hard.

Spring 2003

Student #1:
The one piece of advice that I do have for your next class is to keep up with all the online quizzes, pop quizzes, lab quizzes and other possible points. I cannot stress enough how important those points are. They are easy to get and they help you learn. I did not make an A on any of the four tests but I was able to make an A in the class because I kept up with my other points.

Student #2:
I think the best thing for me was going to class, because I learned a lot of information every class, which helped me to do well on quizzes. Earning as many points as possible on each assignment is the key, and even if science isn't your subject (like me) and you pay attention in class and spend time on each assignment, not last minute, you should be fine. I also studied for the final for an hour each day for a week, so that made me feel good about the final. This is the first time I've ever taken a science class and actually enjoyed it and made an A.

Student #3:
I found that taking the old tests and looking up all of the answers you don't know was the best way to study. And going to class because not everything covered is in the book.

Student #4:
First, I made sure to read the material on time and take good notes. To study for tests, I glanced over my notes first. I also studied the old tests to make sure that I understood major concepts. If there was a question that I missed, I went over that again in my notes.

Student #5:
Well, besides going to class every day and making sure to take all the WebCT quizzes because those plus pop quizzes in class equals easy points... I would say definitely take advantage of the old exams. This means not filling them out using the book and your notes, but actually sitting down and taking them. And when studying for the test, read the chapter summeries of each of the chapters covered. They're great reminders.

Student #6:
First, DON'T blow lab off. Yes, it is the most labor intensive group of points you will earn, but it is what will get you a 'C' if you get 100% credit on everything else in the class. I know it is hard to get motivated to spend 3 hours of your time each week for a few points, but remember -- each point in lab is weighted the same as each point earned on a pop quiz or an exam. Lots of work, lots of points! Secondly, be honest with yourself about how much you are REALLY studying. Staring at your notes or the books isn't studying. If having friends around keeps your mind on BIO like it did for me, invite them over. If they distract you with talking and complaining about the exam, don't invite them next time. Also, keep in mind that Dr. Hoefnagels really does mean it when she says her job is to help you understand. Study early and often to get an A.

Student #7:
I would recommend going to class all of the time because I used my notes to study from. Also, make sure you do all of the quizzes and assignments. I also used the old exams to study from.

Student #8:
I guess the most advantageous technique was to go over my notes every day. I can definitely tell which test I did this on because I received 10 points higher than the one I kind of slacked on. Also on my highest scoring test, I actually read through the chapters thoroughly and highlighted the things in the book you emphasized the most in lecture.

Student #9:
* Always come to class and pay attention in class...studying will be much easier and less time consuming
* Take thorough notes...try to memorize AND fully understand the notes
* The night before a test you should study your notes, book, and review sheets. Afterwards, highlight anything that you don't understand or have not learned... only study what you have highlighted. By doing this you won't be wasting valuable time reviewing things that you already know
* Complete the online review sheets and type your answers...you'll be creating your own study guide
*Take advantage of the professor's office hours...before you go write down all the questions you want to ask
* Don't wait till the night before a test to study....skim over your notes weekly

Student #10:
I think what I did was actually read the readings assigned to the class before coming to class. It gave me a good grasp of what the lecture was going to be about, so that if I already had attempted to wrap my head around it, seeing the PowerPoint the next day would just work wonders for helping me visualize what actually happens -- the stuff I read about the night before.

Student #11:
I would start studying for exams about a week in advance by printing off the old exams off your web site. That REALLY helped! Then I would answer the questions on the exams and look up the ones I didn't know. When we finished lecturers, I would print off the outline and go back through my notes and highlight all of the important concepts and review all of those (looking back through the book if more explanation was necessary). Regular class attendance made it easy to learn the concepts.

Student #12:
The only thing I would say to your future students is never miss a class. It is rare to have a professor so well prepared and it would be a waste to miss lecture. Also take advantage of office hours. Your book and CD-ROM are great but nothing can answer questions like a living, breathing, human being (especially one who happens to write the tests).

Student #13:
Most Importantly: GO TO CLASS! Every day! Dr. Hoefnagels explains things better than any book can. Actually read the part of the book that she assigns for each quiz, BEFORE you go to class. When I read the material ahead of time, I already knew about what Dr. Hoefnagels presented in lecture. She helped to fill in the blanks and explain more thoroughly. Use the old tests on her website to study for your tests. I printed off the test and answered all the questions. I put a star next to any question that I wasn't sure about. Then I went back and studied only the questions that I didn't know. This helped me to realize which parts of the lecture I needed to study so that I didn't waste time studying what I already knew.

Fall 2002

Student #1:
The tool that helped me to best prepare for the tests was the old exams on your website. I would print off all three and go through the first one question by question and look it up in the book. It helps to read the entire section in the book pertaining to a question, not just finding the answer and moving on. It's also a good idea to write the page number beside each question so you can go back over sections you're still uncertain about. On the second and third tests, I would try to answer everything I could without using the book. Then I would look up the answers to double-check. This method helped me to better actually understand the concepts instead of just memorizing the material for the test. You'll be glad when the final comes around, because you'll pretty much already know the material. Oh - don't study with friends...it never worked for me. I scored the lowest on the one test that I "studied" with friends.

Student #2:
I would say to study every day. After class each day, just review your notes and do not let any material slip through your fingers. If you do not get it the day we learn it in class, then go see Dr. H. right then. Also take every point seriously. It is easy to convince yourself, "hey what's ten points out of a thousand" but be point selfish and do not let any just get away. Also, go to class!

Student #3:
What helped me the most was talking about the stuff I was learning with my friends and family. My boyfriend and I 'discussed' evolution; my father and I talked about chemistry; my friends and I talked about animals and plants. Even though this didn't cover everything I learned in the course, at least it kept my brain in gear while I wasn't in the classroom. Studying became just a question of filling in the gaps in my working knowledge, rather than having to learn everything all at once.

Student #4:
I took notes IN MY textbook. I had it open, following along in class as you were lecturing. When you covered something in the textbook, I highlighted it. If you mentioned something that wasn't in the book, I wrote in the margins (there's a lot of space, especially if you write small.) Obviously, this only works if you don't care about maximum book value afterwards, but it facilitates extremely efficient use of study time...I homed in on exactly what you covered, and didn't waste time learning all about the "Krebs cycle" if you didn't talk about it in class.

Student #5:
My best advice for new students is to first, and most obviously, GO TO CLASS and TAKE NOTES. The second would be to use the old tests to study with, they are a tremendous help! The best way I found to study for the exams was to read through all my notes once or twice, then sit down with a classmate and go through a couple of the tests using notes to answer any questions I didn't know, read through my notes again, and then go through the last old exam on my own.

A Plan for Academic Success

(adapted from an article by William J. Higgins, University of Maryland)

1. Go to class, sit up front, and speak to the professor. Just because you're physically present, doesn't mean you're there!
2. Recopy your lecture notes after each class. This yields a complete set of notes rephrased in your own words. Use the "double column" method: leave space in one column to indicate corresponding pages in the text, identify material given special emphasis in lecture, and refer to specific questions in exams from previous semesters.
3. Use exams from previous semesters to test your understanding.
4. Practice. No one runs a marathon or learns to play piano without practice; why should learning about biology be any different?
5. Get help early.
6. Manage your time well.

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