[xxForgedxx]

I am currently taking a Bi-Sci class (environmental science). The prof is a nice guy and all but people are doing horrible in his class. We had our first exam a week or so ago, his grade scale is as follows:

A = 88%
A- = 85-87%
B+ = 82-84%
B = 79-81%
B- = 76-78%
C+ = 73-75%
C = 68-72%
D = 60-67%
F = 60%

Here are the exam grades:

A = 1
B+ = 2
B = 4
B- = 6
C+ = 3
C = 4
D = 15
F = 27 (ranging from 25%-57%)

I got a D... and I was pretty upset considering my friend and I studied to the point where we went through every single page of the notes asking each other questions to try and stump each other and we either knew the answer cold, or we had a solid idea of the concept...

This professor talks, has notes we copy down and tells us to read... he does not give a study guide, and he says everything in lecture and in the book is fair game. I'm not a bad student but I need some advice/pointers on how to study for a class like this. Usually we're given something to go on a bit less ambiguous than "everything is fair game" I read this stuff and it seems to go in one ear and out the other.

[mpimping]

tape the class?

[TiAg335i]

Try to read for concepts. Don't memorize the shit word for word, you're just wasting your time. And taping the class is worthless IMO. Just take good, concise notes.

Remember, study smarter, not harder.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Try to read for concepts. Don't memorize the shit word for word, you're just wasting your time. And taping the class is worthless IMO. Just take good, concise notes.

Remember, study smarter, not harder.

He puts the notes on the board and speaks/jumps too fast for me to pick out word for word things. He explains things horribly... he is one of those teachers that knows it himself and how HE understands it but sucks at making it make sense for students that aren't obsessed with science.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

He puts the notes on the board and speaks/jumps too fast for me to pick out word for word things. He explains things horribly... he is one of those teachers that knows it himself and how HE understands it but sucks at making it make sense for students that aren't obsessed with science.

In the case, you're fucked man. All the advice in the world won't help you. Sometimes you just get screwed over with a bad professor, happens to everyone.

[ejazbmw]

suck up to the kid who got the A lol but i would seriously consider forming a study group...it helped me in my classes.

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

suck up to the kid who got the A lol but i would seriously consider forming a study group...it helped me in my classes.

Study groups only help if u don't mess around half the time like I did in some of mine AND if you have smart people in the group.

I think the OP's only other option is to kiss ass to the smart kids.

[xxForgedxx]

Or maybe if people fuck up another test like this he will stop being an idiot and start making study guides instead of expecting us to soak up a PHD's worth of BiSci knowledge in a fucking class.

[dth656]

seems like the prof is goin for a nice grade distribution (w/ it skewed towards the F end of hte scale, ha ha).

you should probably focus more on conceptual understanding rather than just memorizing class notes.

[DevJ]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

He puts the notes on the board and speaks/jumps too fast for me to pick out word for word things. He explains things horribly... he is one of those teachers that knows it himself and how HE understands it but sucks at making it make sense for students that aren't obsessed with science.

hahaha i know the feeling! My AP Calc teacher is the same way...oh well i have a 100 in his class

[Kev]

To tell you the truth, in a class like this, you probably have to remember everything in the book plus his notes to do well. Also, in state schools, the professors' performance is usually not tied to their teaching quality (i.e. how many people ace the class), so he probably doesn't give a flying fuck if the entire fails. He'll still have the job at the end of the semester.

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by Kev

To tell you the truth, in a class like this, you probably have to remember everything in the book plus his notes to do well. Also, in state schools, the professors' performance is usually not tied to their teaching quality (i.e. how many people ace the class), so he probably doesn't give a flying fuck if the entire fails. He'll still have the job at the end of the semester.

+1

[radix]

I've never been to college, so forgive me if this question is ignornant, but have you considered and/or made an attempt at asking the professor what he deems necessary on your part in order to earn a better grade? Perhaps your understanding of his expectations is lacking. Of course, I'm assuming you can get his attention before or after lecture some time, and that might not be the case.

[magmd]

Drop the class while you still have time.

[xxForgedxx]

Originally Posted by anmcguire

I've never been to college, so forgive me if this question is ignornant, but have you considered and/or made an attempt at asking the professor what he deems necessary on your part in order to earn a better grade? Perhaps your understanding of his expectations is lacking. Of course, I'm assuming you can get his attention before or after lecture some time, and that might not be the case.

He says... *ben stein voice* well, as you can see in the course syllabus *pause* there is no extra credit *pause* but what you can expect to see on the test is *pause* anything that we've covered in lecture or in the book *pause* *wtf look from me to him* anything covered in either is fair game for the test *wtf look from me to him again*

I then say... Ok

pause and walk away

[radix]

Originally Posted by xxForgedxx

He says... *ben stein voice* well, as you can see in the course syllabus *pause* there is no extra credit *pause* but what you can expect to see on the test is *pause* anything that we've covered in lecture or in the book *pause* *wtf look from me to him* anything covered in either is fair game for the test *wtf look from me to him again*

I then say... Ok

pause and walk away

Then there are only two options as I see it if you don't want this class bringing down your GPA.

1. Find a way to drop the class.
2. Buy yourself a pair of rubber pants, and break out the slide rule and pocket protector.

Good luck.

[boymonkey]

Examine the test you just took and think about how the prof picks the questions. Does the test have questions on every major topic covered? What level of detail of knowledge/understanding is required to answer the questions? The key here is to know the prof's expectations, and determine a pattern of behaviour. (You could also ask the prof directly what his expectations are and how to succeed in his class; it's a fair question to ask. Play the good student and tell him that you'd like to do your best in this class.)

Now studying smart only helps you to be more effective. You still need to put in some work. Bio and Science courses generally require lots and lots of memorization. You might have to make summary notes that you can understand, and memorize those.

[BMWE90]

You should have checked www.ratemyprofessor.com before signing up for that class. But honestly like others have said, you should know the concepts and think of questions that he might ask on the exam. We've all had difficult professors but all got through it.

If he passes back the exam then you should compare it with those that got the A's and B's. Also, if the professor stresses a point make a note so you know it's important. Another thing is that you guys might be subjected to groupthink. Perhaps you should study with people that actually know the material and are not afraid to "think outside the box." Sometimes you would have people in a group that just go along with what everyone else says. If that's the case then what you know (or think you know) is limited to what was discussed. When I study I would always stop and think when I see a new concept or something that I might have been confused about. Tying it all together helps tremendously.

Going back to your original post, I noticed you said "the prof is a nice guy but everyone is doing bad in his class." Could it be that those that got the bad grades thought he would be easy since he's nice?

[JME]

The best advice I can give is to go to him, and instead of asking "what can I do to get a good grade in this class?" ask him about specific topics. If you show interest in the subject area he will probably give you much less dismissive answers. And definitely talk to the kids who got the high marks. Find out what they did to get things right. I have never had a student fail a class because the subject matter was too hard. Either they didn't study at all, didn't study the right material or brain-farted during the exam.

[asdflkijd]

doesnt sound so much like a nice guy lol... This sounds just like my econ professor, your best chance is just to keep your memory fresh by studying/ reviewing it every day.. also a study group might help.

[just4kickz]

haha nice. can't ride a curve?

i remember the days of ochem when the average was usually 50/100. then one day the average was a 27/100... lolers

[IrateSpeed6]

Have you thought about spending more time studying? I know for a fact that almost 98% of your class doesn't put in as much time as they should...