Study Tips for A215-Basic Human Anatomy

One of the challenges with studying anatomy is the amount of material that is required to learn for each exam.  Students oftentimes use different techniques to learn and retain material depending upon their preferred learning styles.  Some may learn better by viewing pictures or images whereas others learn better by listening or using their hands to touch objects, such as the anatomy models.  Many students learn by employing a combination of these learning styles.  You can find out more about the different learning styles and study strategies specific to anatomy in the M100 Improving Learning Skills in Anatomy course. This course is only 1 credit hour and is taken concurrently with A-215 Basic Human Anatomy.  If interested in this course, please contact your instructor and advisor.

Following are study techniques that have been used successfully by former anatomy students.  You might want to consider using some of these techniques as you learn more about the human body this semester.

Organization is Key

One of the most important study tips is to be organized.  In order to study for your classes and be successful in this course, organization of your class materials is key.  If you are organized, you can save valuable time when preparing for exams.  Hopefully, you will be able to use the following suggestions to remain organized and improve your study habits.

• Place a copy of the tentative schedule from your syllabus in the plastic cover on the front of a 3-ring binder. This will allow you to see the upcoming assignments and their due dates.  Highlight due dates in different colors.  Staying on top of assignments and their due dates will also prevent you from losing points for late submissions.

• Organize your notes, structures to know, and reviews according to your chapters so that you can easily access them when studying. Again, you can save time through organization.  Imagine the time wasted when looking for missing material.  We have all been there and done that and felt the frustration when in this situation.  This wasted time could have been better spent learning the material.

• Add assignments and test dates to a paper calendar or use the “View Calendar” located on the right side of your “Home” page. You can add assignments and exams scheduled to your class calendar. This will keep you from missing due dates for assignments and exams.

• Use the Syllabus tab on the left navigation pane and click on “Jump to Today” to review assignments that are due for the week.  This will help keep you on track for class and prevent deductions for late penalties.

• Use the Sticky Notes app for your computer or phone. I use this app by listing the module items that I need to compose for each of my classes during the week.  Every time I turn on my computer, the notes pop up on the center of my screen.  I have found this reminder app to be very helpful as I am preparing multiple modules, worksheets, instructional videos, and quizzes throughout each week.  I believe it would also help you to organize your study time and due dates for upcoming assignments.

Study Tips from Book:  Make it stick: the science of successful learning ₍₁₎

This book addresses many ways that can be used to learn material and to retain information. Please review the list of a few important lessons from this book.

• Do not cram for an exam-Rereading the chapters or the notes over and over is an unproductive method of studying.

• Using retrieval practice refers to recalling information from memory. This is a much more effective study strategy than rereading material. Some examples of retrieval practice are:

• • Flashcards:  The use of flashcards is an example of this kind of practice. Retrieving information using flashcards will strengthen your memory!

• • Short and Simple Quizzes:  Assessments, such as quizzes, taken after reading material is extremely beneficial.  Retaking the McGraw Hill Connect quizzes through the Recharge option within Connect or taking the Quick Check assessments multiple times is recommended.

• Spaced out practice where one studies the material for an exam, does something else for a period of time and then comes back to study the material. This type of practice helps with long term memory.

• Interleaved practice or varied practice involves leaving the subject that you are studying and going to a different subject.  For example, you might study the axial skeleton for an hour or two and then study the appendicular skeleton for another hour or two before returning to the axial skeleton.  Interleaved practice or varied practice is beneficial when compared to studying one topic for hours on end.

Other Study Tips

• Problem solving involves solving a problem before you are taught a solution. Once you research the problem and solve it on your own, it is unlikely that you will forget the material.  We use the problem-solving method in M100 Improving Learning Skills in Anatomy in the form of Problem Based Learning Units.

• Concept map diagrams are easy to construct, and aid in making connections between anatomical structures and their functions. These types of maps allow one to connect concepts with knowledge to enable a better understanding of the material.  Please read the material at the following link:  Concept Mapping₍₂₎.  Joseph D. Novak, a researcher at Cornell University, developed the idea of concept maps in 1972.  In a short time, concept maps became a popular way of connecting knowledge and ideas. Today concept maps are used all over the world as a visual means to connect ideas and topics in classrooms as well as many types of business concepts.

• Drawing and coloring diagrams or pictures of anatomical structures can be a powerful study tool to help you learn.  Do not worry about how well you can draw; that is not important.  The simple act of drawing and coloring activates a part of our brain, which enables us to store concepts in our long-term memory banks.

• Color-coding or highlighting your notes will allow you to quickly review important material.  Many of us used this method in high school. This study technique is particularly helpful for visual learners!

• Using red ink on yellow paper for important notes has been shown to help with memory. An article discussing this concept can be found at the following link: Using Red Ink on Yellow Paper for Memory Enhancement₍₃₎

• Listening to music while studying can have a negative impact on learning. Turn down the volume if you like to listen to music or the television while you are studying. If used correctly, there can be benefits to learning.  Please read the article at the following link:  Benefits and drawbacks of listening to music while studying₍₄₎

• Study Logs-Maintain a study log for several days noting the time you spent studying, where you studied and your perception of the quality of your study time. Review the log and compare that information to the grade that you earned on the exam. This review will help you to determine how long you need to study and the best study locations so that you get the most quality study time possible.

• Study with a friend-One can be very successful learning the material by studying with a friend. Teach a friend the class material, which can and will increase your retention of the material.

• Take a break-If you are losing focus while studying, take a coffee break or go on a walk. Your brain will reset, and you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the material again.

• Always review feedback from your instructor-Comments from your instructor should help you to improve on future assignments. Take your instructor’s feedback seriously and try to incorporate some or most of their recommendations.

Now that you have some great study tips, let’s get started with the laboratory material for your first exam!

Bibliography

1.  Brown, P. C., McDaniel, M. A., & Roediger, H. L. (2014). Make it stick: the science of successful learning. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
2. Complete Concept Map Diagram. All-In-One Cross-Platform Diagram Software for Flowchart, Org Chart and Mind Map. https://www.edrawsoft.com/complete-conceptmap-guide.html.
3. Online, D. V. (2010, November 27). Using Red Ink on Yellow Paper for Memory Enhancement. Rants & Raves by Dyslexia Victoria Online. https://dyslexiavictoria.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/using-red-ink-on-yellow-paper-for-memory-enhancement/.
4. Is it Good to Listen to Music While Studying? Study.com. https://study.com/academy/popular/is-it-good-to-listen-to-music-while-studying.html.