Biology Summer Preparation Thread!

[polkadot]

I haven't done Biology units 1 & 2, so any tips on how to get a head start during these holidays for Biology units 3 & 4 next year?

thanks

[Russ]

Develop a very good understanding of the intracellular environment - what are all the organelles called, what are the sites of interest, where do particular functions occur. Make sure you know this for both animal cells and plant cells, especially where there are major differences (eg photosynthesis)

Just about everything you learn will be based off that framework

[Roah26]

If you have the spare time read over parts of the Biology text book so you can be familiar with terms and concepts. Have a look at the study design too [http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/biology/biologyindex.html] but don't stress about the things you don't know - it will all [hopefully] be covered next year. Try reading for enjoyment rather than trying to remember things.

For the basics, try covering these points;

- Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
- Photosynthesis [you'll go into more detail in Unit 3]
- Enzymes
- Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Water etc
- Cell replication
- Also, read about Evolution if you wish to.

We were asked to make a website to help us for revision in 09' but the idea became too hard to keep up with so here's the link to mine if you need some further reading:

http://roahsbiology.pbworks.com/w/page/4321009/FrontPage


Good luck! Bio is a great subject.

[Greatness]

What everyone has said so far and you should start learning and studying the biomacromolecules, enzymes and organelles.

[ruchika5]

have a listen to douchy's biology podcasts they're pretty good

[herzy]

biomacromolecules

lol pretty sure vcaa made up this word. but yeah, good advice from all. i didn't do 1/2, got a 47 which was a bit disappointing, but a decent score is doable... no stress

[stonecold]

What everyone has said so far and you should start learning and studying the biomacromolecules, enzymes and organelles.

Yeah, this is the key.  

Nahh, I don't think you need much summer prep.  Other than having a read of the textbook maybe.  

I switched from physics to bio like a week before school started, and was massively worried about not having done prep and not having done 1/2.  but just work at a good pace and you'll be okay.

also, i should not be saying this, but bio really is one of the those subjects which you can neglect for weeks at a time and not really miss anything which can't be caught up in 1 solid day of study.

i may do a Biol tips thread, similar to mavisgibbons, if i have the time and will and can remember stuff.  

[Christiano]

Please share your wisdom with us stonecold

I've already begun reading, not sure whether to do notes for each AOS - Is writing your own notes recommended for biology? I kind of lack note taking skills ....

[pi]

How to prepare? Do everything that I didn't!

I only put in ~20 hours of work throughout the year into bio, only did a total of 10 practice exams, did 3/4 of biozone, did half a Neap U4 book, didn't write notes, and didn't read ~7 chapters in my textbook at all... + I didn't do 1+2.

Hence, only got a 42.

If you would want to aim higher, this is what I should have done through the year:
1. Do the start of 3+4 (cells, organelles, polymers, etc.) in the holidays
2. Actually finish biozone (either reading or doing questions, or both)
3. Read the whole textbook
4. Write notes
5. Do other resources (checkpoints, NEAP, etc.)
6. When exam time comes, do prac exams
7. Do work throughout the year, and not just study the two days before an exam (like me -although I just rocked up to the Unit 3 exam with next to no studying -big mistake)
8. Good luck!

[HERculina]

stonecold did you make notes. and if so, how long as in page numbers, did they end up being? =D

[Drunk]

Is doing summer prep for the guys skipping ahead to 3/4 REALLY essential for a high score?

[pi]

Is doing summer prep for the guys skipping ahead to 3/4 REALLY essential for a high score?

What is a high score by your opinion? I know a lot of guys with 40+ with little or no summer prep (not advisable though -see my above post of disgrace...)

[pi]

^^Thats more than what I did in the whole year... I think you're set for 47+!

[polkadot]

thanks so much this should be an interesting year, good luck everyone !

[Allygator]

wow! people are so crazy doing exams before school's even started!
I did the 3/4 bio jumpstart book but I don't think there was much point because you really aren't able to learn the stuff in enough detail for it to be worth it
I think it would be good to learn the cell components and their functions before school starts - you'll end up learning everything anyway!