N100 Help Page
January 2004

Here are a few things that may help you get started in this course:

I. What is your learning style? Take this 44-question web quiz by Richard Felder and Barbara Soloman and find out how you may learn best -

II. How to use this to your advantage during class.

N100 Tips, from a former N100 student, Tim Hensley. Tim offered to write a few tips, based on his experience as an N100 student in 2001. Like most of you in N100, Tim was not a science major and in the beginning of the semester, was not familiar with most of the terminology or concepts we discussed in class. However, he ended up doing really well in N100, and was among the best students in the class!!

Miscellaneous tips from Dr. Marrs on how to succeed in N100
*********
A very important tip: It is definitely to your benefit to look at the notes and do the readings before class. Once we are in class, things move quickly. If classtime is the first time you have even looked at the lecture notes, you are going to feel left behind. Because of the way this class is set up, as detailed in the syllabus, I come into class expecting that you have read the notes and the pages in the book. I do not expect you to understand it all, but that you are familiar with new terms and concepts for the day. If you have not gotten into this habit yet, please do so now.

There are very few professions you will enter where you will be able to walk in in the morning without any idea of what your day is going to be like. If you are college educated, you will most likely end up in a profession where you take work home and prepare things for the next day or week. (If you're lucky, and end up in a profession you love, you will actually enjoy doing this!!!) College is no exception! Remember - protect your ~$450 investment in this class - put the effort in both before and after (and in class!) "OK, mom....."

*********
Time Management: Remember to put at least 3 hours of effort OUT of class to prepare and study for this class. That means about 45 minutes BEFORE EACH class to prepare and about 45 minutes AFTER EACH class to review and clarify. Take a few minutes right before class to make sure you know what will be discusssed on that day. Do this with someone in class!

*********
OK, last one: Try and enjoy the class. Again, you just spent $450 big ones to take this class, when you could have bought playoff tickets to the superbowl or front row tickets to your fave concert! Make it worth your money! It will be over before you know it, and then you will find yourself checking the webpage wistfully, hoping some new material has been posted just to get you through the long summer months without Biology..... But seriously, since you have to be here anyway, you might as well come to class ready to roll, with a good attitude, and a strong cup of coffee if needed! See you in class!

Are you eager (OK, maybe anxious?!) about how to study for N100 exams?
Don't know where to begin? Here are some tips direct from Dr. Marrs:

1. Lecture Objectives. This is where you will want to start! Most test questions will come from material presented in class, from the lecture notes. Could you answer the objectives on a test? I have grouped the objectives below for your convenience:

2. Readings: If you don't understand something in the notes, or would like more clarification, the textbook will probably have what you need. The figures usually contain a LOT of information, and are good for visual learners. Try and answer the quiz questions at the end of each chapter.

3.. Vocabulary: Feel like you're learning another language? Well, you are! Don;t forget that the book has an excellent glossary (see the gold pages at the end), as does the CD-ROM. Write down the words that are new to you and their definitions, have a classmate or willing family member quiz you.

4. CD-ROM: Great animations and low-stress quizzes. The quiz questions should give you a good indication of possible test material !

5. If you don't understand something, ask me! I am usually in my office, furiously typing notes to post on the web for N100 at all hours of the day or night : ) ! Just kidding. I have a life, too - just like you! Call or e-mail to set up an appointment 278-4551, kmarrs@iupui.edu . Don't wait for the exam to find out you don't know something important that could have easily been solved by a quick e-mail.