read ahead?

[newbie16]

As the title suggests how do u learn a textbook by urself? Any advice?

[cosine]

As the title suggests how do u learn a textbook by urself? Any advice?

I recommend you to read a few pages/topics a day, and complete all the questions at the end of each chapter for each topic. Just read and explore, biology is about exploration, if you want to excel, you must be willing to explore different resources and be willing to learn new things. For example, if your textbook is confusing you, do not stop there, ensure you explore online and search for more explanations, ask forums (like the Biology Units 3/4 Question Thread) and do NOT be afraid to get something wrong! Watch videos on YouTube about the topics at concern, and try to do extra exercises/questions to aid your knowledge, like Biozone or Exam pro!

As for how to learn a textbook by yourself, the one thing I used is reading for meaning, that is, every word used in the textbook is used for a reason. For example, when it says 'cellular aerobic respiration', some books neglect the cellular, but this is important because it describes on the molecular level how cells respire, and not just the organism as a whole. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions, ask, ask, ASK! Do not worry if the question is plain simple, if you never ask, you will never know! Even the smallest spec of detail that you are unsure of, ask!

So in short, dont just read; explore the topics learnt, try to connect everything and I promise you that when you do this, everything will make sense to you, because biology is a subject where almost everything interconnects!

[heids]

Pick a chunk, and then:

1.  Scan it - check the headings, bolded sections, and chapter overview or review at the start and end.  Through this you should know what you're going to be learning about - maybe take a note of it or turn the headings into 'questions' that your reading is going to answer (e.g. turn the heading 'Ribosomes' into 'What are ribosomes and what do they do?').  Get out the study design key knowledge, and figure out what dot-points you're reading about.

2.  Read it - ... self explanatory.  Quickly skim any irrelevant bits (e.g. off topic or far too much detail, case studies and stories, etc.) and really focus on anything that's bolded or highlighted.  Remember: you're not reading it like you'd skim a Facebook feed.  It's not for random entertainment.  You're reading to understand and remember.  So don't just run your eyes down the page - pay attention, question it, think about it, make sure you're really getting it.

3.  Summarise it - after each paragraph, try to summarise the key points of what you've read.  I like to do this verbally (out loud) without looking at the book (tests my recall) and then after reading a larger chunk, take written notes.  The more concise you make them, cutting out 'fluff', the better.  But make sure they're accurate to what the book said, and you understand them.

4.  Test it - go back to the questions you wrote at the start ('What are ribosomes and what do they do?' etc.)  Then try to answer them without looking!  If you can't, then you need to go back - because there was no point reading if you haven't actually got the answers to those questions you were reading for anyway.

I can't emphasise enough that the important thing is to
UNDERSTAND
what you read.

No point reading if you're going to have to reread again in two minutes.  Read with purpose, and you'll kill it.

[heids]

Every word used in the textbook is used for a reason.

I agree with all but that.

2/3 of NoB was just fluff - if I had bothered spending time on it, my score would have instantly halved.

Don't expect to get everything at once - you're sure to focus on unimportant things and miss important things at the start, but once you expose yourself to more resources over time you'll get your footing.  For now, just make sure you understand what's going on wherever possible - and as cosine says, when you don't get it, ask.  (Google is your first port of call.)

[newbie16]

Thankyou Cosine and Bangali-lok.
Just one question why do people say Bio is hard? Pls explain as I havent yet delved into the course.

[pi]

"Hard" is subjective. Some may say it's hard because there is a lot of content, there can be application questions that one can't specifically study for, etc.

If you work hard, you'll make the subject easier

[OutstandingInDivination]

as previously mentioned, its entirely subjective. I found bio easier than hhd, and correspondingly got a higher mark in the former. I know other people who felt the reverse also. Just try your best Popular consensus means very little, but if that's what you're looking for, biology is considered doable yet meticulous, and there is a fair amount of content to learn.

[skybluemaniac]

As the title suggests how do u learn a textbook by urself? Any advice?

Reading ahead is great! I'd also recommend douchy's podcasts which are entirely free and you can listen to him teaching the whole course

[TheAspiringDoc]

Reading ahead is great! I'd also recommend douchy's podcasts which are entirely free and you can listen to him teaching the whole course

Agreed. Although I've found it's best to learn the content using something like A+ notes, then listen to douchey, as it sticks better that way (at least for me)

[newbie16]

guys can someone pls tell me the website for doucheys website? I cant find It!

[TheAspiringDoc]

guys can someone pls tell me the website for doucheys website? I cant find It!

http://biologyoracle.podomatic.com