1. Becoming A Successful
Science Student
Learning & Studying More Efficiently and
Effectively

2. Introduction
o Learning science is a process of mastering science concepts.
o In science each new concept builds on a frame of ideas you
mastered in the previous chapter.
o Effective science learning means acting directly to insure you
master each course unit.
o The high level of mastery required in science demands that
you must be or become an active learner.
o Efficient science learning means mastering the material and
maximizing the strengths of your unique and personal learning
style.
 What is your learning style and how do you learn best?

3. Introduction
o You need to take a systematic approach to learn science—find
a system that works best for you.
o People who do well in science work hard.
o There are a few tips and tricks that can help master science
concepts.
o We will identify key learning tasks for mastering science units.

4. Learning Strategies
Step 1 Motivate Yourself to Study
Step 2 Develop Readiness for Every Lecture
Step 3 Review Your Notes After Every Lecture
Step 4 Make and Use Flow Charts to Understand Key Physical
Processes
Step 5 Construct Comparison Charts to Master Important
Distinctions
Step 6 Prepare Systematically for Exams

5. Step 1
Motivate Yourself to Study
o Your attitude toward learning is the single most
important factor in academic success.
o Motivation is a process that goes on inside the
learner.
o You have to motivate yourself!
o Start by assessing your level of motivation.
o Complete Assessment

6. Step 2
Develop Readiness for Every Lecture
o Deciding “what’s important” is your first and most
important learning task.
o If you don’t begin with an understanding of the key
question the lecture will address, you miss the main
points.
o Without the main points the details are meaningless.
o Previewing begins with skimming text and lecture notes
for clues to what is important.
 “What do I think are the three most important
concepts of this unit?”
o Chapter outlines are provided in some textbooks
o Study outlines are your personalized overview.

7. Step 3
Review Your Notes After Every Lecture
o Having a good set of notes is essential to success.
o Information is often presented in lecture that you will not
find in other class materials.
o Schedule an appointment with yourself immediately after
class. Go back over your notes and fill in missing
information.
o Review your notes in ways that support your learning
style.
 Visual learners-draw charts and diagrams
 Auditory learners-review with a partner or use a
recorder
 Kinesthetic learner-rewrite your notes, take
advantage of labs and hands-on activities
o Note Review Checklist

8. Step 4
Make and Use Flow Charts to Understand
Key Processes
o Learning science is based on developing a deep
understanding of physical processes and how each
process works.
o Apply the power of visual organizers to increase your
understanding and memory of complicated scientific
processes.

9. Step 5
Construct Comparison Charts to Master
Important Distinctions
o Mastering science is based on mastering distinctions.
o Botanist must master differences between plants;
geologists must master subtle differences between rock
and strata.
o Comparison charts are two-dimensional tables that
summarize important distinctions.
o It provides a handy overview, facilitates review and aids
memory by reducing a lot of material to just a few items.

10. Step 5
Construct Comparison Charts to Master
Important Distinctions
Lava Types
Magma Magma Eruptive Volcano Volcano
Lava Composition Viscosity Style Type Shape
Types
Basaltic High iron Low Gentle lava Shield Gentle slope
Low silica viscosity flows Volcano covers a wide
(“runny”) area
Ryolitic Low iron High Highly Strato Steep slope
High silica viscosity explosive Volcano covers a
(“sticky”) small area

11. Step 5
Constructing a Comparison Chart Step-by-
Step
1. Skim lecture notes and text. Make a list of the
concepts you will compare. (2 lava types)
2. Skim again. Make a list of comparison characteristics.
3. Draw a table outline.
4. List the concepts you will compare (step 1) in the first
column.
5. List key words for each comparison characteristic in the
top row.
6. Fill in the cells in the table using your lecture notes or
text.
7. Self test by covering one or more columns. Utilize
learning style techniques.

12. Step6
Prepare Systematically for
Exams
o Get organized by blocking out a schedule for how you
will divide your time before the exam.
o Allow at least 1 week for exam preparation.
o List the units to be covered on the exam and give
roughly equal time to all units.
o Cramming is inefficient and should be used only as a
last resort.
o Be sure to be clear about the test format-multiple
choice, essay, etc.
o Mastery occurs as the result of asking yourself
questions & answering them.
o Finally organize your time to allow for a good night’s
sleep.

13. Resources
o Take advantage of all the resources available free to
Bluegrass students.
o Study Skills assistance is available through SSS and
the Career Development and Counseling office.
o Free tutoring is available at all BCTC campuses.
Check to see if science tutoring is provided at your
campus.
o Check the science department websites for resources
and tips: “How to Succeed in BIO 139 (While Really,
Really Trying!)”