At the start of our fall semester, I was told AP Biology would become my hardest class. I was told that I would spend countless hours studying and reviewing notes/quizzes only to inevitably do bad on the tests. All of this has some truth, however I have unlocked some hacks that help me manage my time well enough to keep a good overall grade and ace my tests! And I know that with these super-doable study tips anyone can do the same.
Tip #1: Khan Academy
First and foremost, Khan Academy. I may sound like a broken record with this one, but it is one of the most helpful tools of our generation. They have full lessons on the exact Biology units that are taught in the AP curriculum (linked above), including practice questions. Doing these questions for every topic and unit immensely helped me prepare for the question styles on tests. Honestly, some of the questions were the same *wink*. This also helps for someone who’s routine is incredibly packed with seemingly no time to study. All I have to do is download the app on my phone and I can study on the go!
Tip #2: Scribble Notes
At the beginning of the year, it was super difficult to process the information while frantically jotting down notes. So, I sort of invented this note taking method that I call “Scribble Notes.” The point of scribble notes is so that I can quickly write down what my teacher is saying without missing out on important information. First, in class, I keep a notebook and pen out (for me, pen is important so I don’t waste time erasing stuff, but any writing utensil works). As my teacher goes through the powerpoint, I listen carefully and only write down things that she/he says that are NOT on the powerpoint. Also, my writing for the initial notes is often very messy and disorganized. That is OKAY!
Tip #3: Rewriting
After I do my scribble notes, I rewrite all the notes from the powerpoint (on a NEW page). Usually I do this at home, a week or a few days before the test. I try to keep the new notes incredibly concise, mostly tricky things or unfamiliar information. Here, I use my scribble notes to decipher topics that confuse me while going through the powerpoint. Doing this actually incredibly helps me (and you) decipher complex information ourself, which leads to a greater rate of retention. And, it helps me figure out what topics I need to work on for the test.
Tip #4: Test Taking
AP Biology is one of the most difficult high school courses. There is an immense amount of information with lots of detail. With that said, my biggest tip is to understand the information. This may sound obvious but most students (including me at the start of the year) tend to try and just memorize it all. But this will only hurt you on the tests, as most questions require analytical thinking. If we fully understand how the topics connect, the tests start feeling less heavy. I like to draw arrows in my refined notes to connect things and please ASK questions during class! Our teachers oftentimes like to over explain and relate topics for us, if we just ask.
Tip #5: Take Breaks!
I’m all for shutting my phone away for 3 hours and raw studying, but I need breaks. So do you. Not 2 hour tiktok doom scrolling (I’m a victim of this), but a nap or a snack. I like to listen to music and doodle for about 30 minutes in between topics (if I have time- check out my comforts). I also find it beneficial to study with a partner or group! It helps me remember information if I’m teaching someone, or having a friend explain in a different way. Studying at a cafe/boba shop also motivates me to study longer, as i’m not around home distractions.
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