ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Science => Topic started by: rambutann on February 12, 2020, 09:46:42 pm

Title: Best way to study for chemistry and biology?
Post by: rambutann on February 12, 2020, 09:46:42 pm
Hi,
I'm taking 3/4 chemistry and biology this year. The current study strategies I use is taking notes, revising it ever so often, doing textbook questions and topic tests. Which is pretty standard. Has there been any specific study strategies before a SAC/exam that really helped you?

Also, can I replace the Heinemann textbook for the Atarnotes complete course notes? There's just so much superfluous stuff in the textbook which isn't related to the study design.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Best way to study for chemistry and biology?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on February 16, 2020, 11:41:03 am
Hey!
I liked making mindmaps to show how various topics were connected.

You'd probably be fine to use the atar notes book and then just check the textbook (or another source) for anything that you're having trouble understanding, just make sure that you're also checking the study design to ensure you don't miss anything that you do need to know.
Title: Re: Best way to study for chemistry and biology?
Post by: Sine on February 16, 2020, 05:46:42 pm
Hi,
I'm taking 3/4 chemistry and biology this year. The current study strategies I use is taking notes, revising it ever so often, doing textbook questions and topic tests. Which is pretty standard. Has there been any specific study strategies before a SAC/exam that really helped you?

Also, can I replace the Heinemann textbook for the Atarnotes complete course notes? There's just so much superfluous stuff in the textbook which isn't related to the study design.

Thank you!
Maybe not a "study technique" as such but I think the best way to learn is through understanding via first principals not just remembering a bunch of phrases and definitions.  This way you will be able to properly answer application style questions and also have a better overall understanding of the subject. With this sort of understanding, you will be better able to adapt to changes in subtle changes to common questions.
Title: Re: Best way to study for chemistry and biology?
Post by: ArtyDreams on February 16, 2020, 06:06:04 pm
One of my favourite ways to study for science is to do a light read of notes, and then take short notes on sticky notes etc. This is sometimes helpful rather than directly copying information. Then, I close the textbook, and write down everything I remebered from that session. I will do this every couple of days so information stays in my long term memory. I find that this is helpful for science, as it  really ensures that youve learnt everything properly.

Then, I will always do practise questions. Sometimes, as textbook questions can get repetitive, I use checkpoints/SACs as the questions are usually more difficult and varied.

Before SACs, I just try to do as many practise questions as possible. Make sure that everything you dont understand, you learn, as this will help you maximise your marks. If youd dont understand something, find a solution to it. Keeping a mistakes log also helps, as before SACs you can go through this and make sure youre not making the same mistakes over and over again. Hope this helps!