2.  Textbook:  The required textbook and the laboratory manual have most of the basic information for the course but not all.  Information in lecture, recitation, and lab will sometimes repeat and reinforce what is in the text, but sometimes will go beyond the text.  You will be responsible for all information covered in class.  This is why your attendance at all class sessions is essential to your success.

3.  Scan the reading assignment before coming to class.  “Scan” means to read the chapter outline, section headings, and the first sentence (sometimes the first paragraph) of each section.  Focus on the words that are highlighted in the text.  These are the new terms that are being introduced.  (See item 8 below.)  Look at the diagrams and photos and read their captions.  GOAL:  To get an overview, not to memorize.  Challenge yourself:  Try to learn just two facts or concepts that you could later contribute to the class discussion.  You can make an interesting game of this!

4.  Taking good notes in lecture is a skill you can develop.  The test of “good” in note-taking is not whether you record every word, example, and anecdote but whether you capture the essence, i.e., the stream of thought.  Listen for what the professor emphasizes.  It will not be possible to use the outline method of note-taking because the professor is not lecturing from an outline.  Rather, the professor is using a method of presentation which raises a question and then offers evidence relevant to the question.  Finally, a conclusion or summary is drawn and he moves on to the next question.  This method has been adopted because it most closely resembles the method of inquiry employed by scientists in their work.  Learn how to recognize the question that is being addressed (in the beginning of the course the professor will tell you the specific question he is addressing, later you will be able to do this yourself... depending on how well you have followed step 3!)  Below the question you can list all the points of the discussion, numbering them consecutively.  Be careful about making one point subordinate to another unless that relationship is very clear.  Otherwise you may lead yourself to believe that a very important point is unimportant simply because of its location in your notes.  If you have trouble taking notes, the professor will be happy to help you.  Perhaps it would help to tape record the lectures.

5.  After the lecture, read the assigned pages in the textbook while reviewing the same material in your notes.  Fill any gaps in your notes with information from the text but your notes should NOT have all the information of the text (one main purpose of your notes is to let you know what the professor has emphasized, not to set forth everything that is known about a particular topic.)  GOAL:  To understand the concepts and facts.

6.  IMPORTANT POINT:  If you don’t understand the material at this stage, go to the professor and ask for help.  You may not have done this in high school and may be reluctant to do so in college perhaps because you think the professor is too busy with many other duties.  Not so!  You will notice that professors don’t teach a class every period.  This method of scheduling is intentional:  so the professor will have time to work with students individually.  (Of course, professors do have other duties such as research, reading, committee work, attendance at seminars and conferences, etc.   This is why professors appreciate when you use their posted office hours because that is time they have specifically set aside for you.)  Comment:  Many students hesitate to talk to the professor apparently because the professor will think they’re stupid.  WRONG!!  The professor will think you’re smart for recognizing your problem and seeking help.  The stupid students are those who don’t seek help.

7.  Learn the material.  Learn as you go, day by day.  Don’t postpone studying until the day before the exam.  Is it fair to ask the professor, the day before the exam, to clear up three weeks of misunderstanding?  No!  Besides, it will be too late to learn what he tells you.

8.  Is science a foreign language?  Yes!  That is, there are a lot of terms used in science that are not used in everyday speech.  When many of these terms are introduced in class the professor will tell you the derivation of the word (most have Greek or Latin roots).  Learning the words this way will be helpful when you encounter new words.  Keep a cumulative list of words and their definitions.  Some students do this in parallel columns on a sheet of paper (e.g., words on the left, definitions on the right) other students keep the words on index cards that can be used like flash cards.  With either method you can easily quiz yourself or have a friend conduct a drill for you.  While you’re taking notes in class, write new terms in the margin; at the end of lecture you’ll have a list of all new terms introduced that day!  By the way, many words from common English language are used differently in science.  You will be expected to know the difference.  A good example is the way "theory" is used in the biological sciences.  Can you explain the difference?  Does it mean "hypothesis?"

9.  MOST IMPORTANT POINT:  When you are learning the material do NOT look at your notes or at the textbook.  Work with a BLANK SHEET OF PAPER.  Sure you know the material when it’s right before your eyes!!  But do you know it when there is nothing before you but a blank paper?  YOU MUST DUPLICATE THE EXAM CONDITIONS TO REALLY TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE.  Hint:  Carry blank paper with you at all times (3X5 cards fit nicely into most pockets or a handbag).  When you have a spare moment (eating a meal or snack, during TV commercial breaks, even on the john!!) take out the card and write down the list of parts, define the term, draw and label the structure, write the chemical pathway, etc.  Then compare your work with your notes and textbook.  If you weren’t able to do it correctly, throw away your first attempt, study the material again, and test yourself again.  Keep doing it until you get it right.  (You may find it helpful to break a concept down into small parts and learn the parts separately.)

10.  Study with another student who is (or was) enrolled in the course (hopefully with one who understands the material, one who is doing well on exams).  “Teaching” the material to someone else is the best way to learn; you have to know it before you can tell someone else.  The other person can point out the flaws and gaps in your knowledge.

11.  If you still don’t do well on exams, please see the professor immediately.  Take your exam along.  He can analyze your mistakes and prescribe a remedy.

12.  Have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  Relax and enjoy the material.  Tell yourself that you’re in the course to learn something interesting, not just because OSU says you must take a biological science to earn a degree.  There are a lot of very interesting things to learn about plants.  Do you really believe that you’re too stupid to learn those things?  Of course not!  You CAN learn science as easily as you can learn any other subject.  WOMEN:  Forget everything you may have heard about women not having an aptitude for science.  Some of the best botanists in the world are women.  You can follow in their footsteps.