Using the Study Guides for Lecture Exams

I provide you with Study Guides for each of the four (4) lecture exams and the final exam.  They are NOT outlines; they are lists of important items you WILL need to know to do well on the exams. 

The PowerPoint slides in lecture correspond to the Study Guides because I indicate the most important items (that are also in your Study Guides) in red on the slides.  Therefore, the lecture slides (which you can view/print from our class Web site) are important for completing your Study Guides, and ensuring that you understand those things that you have to understand, rather than just memorizing them.  (This applies especially to anything related to physiology.) 

Here is how I suggest you use the Study Guides for Lecture Exams:

a. Prepare for the next day's lectures.

1) Read the sections in your textbook that apply to the next lectures.  BUT before you start reading your textbook, look carefully through the items in your Study Guide so you'll know what to look for when you're reading.

2) Try to fill in your Study Guide as you are reading through the material in your textbook, and jot down anything else you feel is important from your reading, even if it's not in your Study Guide.

3) Put question marks next to items you can't find, or you don't understand.  Look at your question marks just before lecture so you'll know when (if) I answer those questions.  If I don't, please ask!

b. Bring your Study Guide with you to class EVERY day. 

1) Fill in those items you couldn't get from your textbook reading as soon after the lecture as possible. 

2) ASK if you still are unsure about what I want you to know. 

3) Time permitting, we will go through the Study Guide for the upcoming exam and I will review with you during our review sessions.

c. Use the Study Guides to, well, guide your studying!

1) If I think the points included on them are important, and if I make up the exams, I would say you should pay attention to the items on them.  Of course, if you need some clarification, or you want more information about something, go to your textbook or to the lecture slides.

2) Review that day's slides and CORRELATE them to your Study Guide, i.e., check to be sure the information on your Study Guide corresponds to the info on the slides.  And, if there's something on your slides in red that is not on your Study Guide, put it there.

d. Use the Study Guides when preparing for an exam.

1) Memorize those items on your Study Guide that should be memorized.  Also, be sure to understand those items on your Study Guide that should be understood.  Most of the times you will know the difference.  Items that require understanding have to do mostly with physiology, rather than anatomy. 

2)This is critical: After you are sure you have memorized the material on the Study Guide and understand it:

a) Print a blank study guide and try to fill it out - from memory, without looking at your notes.  Besides having someone quiz you, this is the ONLY way to find out what you don't know!  Reading over your notes a zillion times will NOT tell you what you don't know. 

b) If there are items you couldn't complete from memory, refer to your notes and repeat the process until you can complete your blank Study Guide without referring to notes.