SIX SECRETES TO SUCCESS IN AP BIOLOGY

(and other classes too!)

By Barbara Beitchfrom AP BIOLOGY 7th edition

by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece© 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall/Benjamin

Cummings

Be an active learner IN class

•Showing up is not enough.

•Don’t sit passively in class and just “take notes”.

•Think critically

•ASK QUESTIONS

•Participate in labs and activities

Be an active learner OUTSIDE classThere is a correlation between academic success and study time BUT . . .

it is QUALITY not QUANTITY that matters!

•Teach someone else

•Find students you are compatible with and form a study group

•Avoid “host-parasite” interactions• Working with a study group doesn’t mean “group answers” ! DO YOUR OWN WORK!

Be an active learner OUTSIDE class•Create your own test questions

•Include some “Compare and Contrast” ?’s

•Then write out answers and verify with book

•Include 5 plausible answers

•Make correct answer the same length as the distractors.•Avoid: all of the above, always, and never•“Facts” are important, but also look for major themes and connections•Try to make connections by integrating different topics into some ?’s

USE YOUR RESOURCES•Use Concept Headings in chapters to help you organize•Complete ?’s at end of chapter (even if not assigned) and check answers in back of book •Use CD and online textbook to review concepts and quiz yourself

•Don’t skip over figures and tables in chapter

•Other AP review resources can be purchased

•Use Activities, flash cards, and other review tools on your CD and online textbook

Don’t rely on memorization!

• Yes, vocab is important (You need it to communicate what you understand) BUT . . . DON’T STOP THERE!

•Integrate the terms you know into “BIGGER IDEAS”

•Tie concepts together with each other and to the THEMES

•SEE THE BIG PICTURE

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED!

Hone your time management skills

•Strive for a balance juggling classes, extracurriculars, work, and relaxing time•MAKE A SCHEDULE including study time and due dates

•AP assignments are more open endedYou must keep up with the reading AND plan time for long range assignments such as lab reports

•Be responsible for your own independent study requirements (You know what topics need refreshing)

MAKE CONNECTIONS. . .Relate what you learn to real world

• Connect topics discussed in class to what you hear on the news

Practice making connections helps when you encounter unfamiliar ?’s on AP Exam

•Learning to recognize themes can help you make connections