Posts (page 2)
Talking with my Chemistry lab partner last night, I found out he takes Latin, and I remembered that most medical terminology is based on Latin and Greek words, and then came my eureka moment - that I take both of those classes to help when it comes to learning medical terminology.
I read up on some great tips at How to get into top medical schools on the importance of Latin and Greek roots, primarily;
- Taking Latin at the college level.
- A course in Greek and Latin roots in medical terminology.
- But the biggest advantage I read was the that these languages provide an understanding of the history of medicine and science as it relates to Aristotle's Biology, Hippocrates, Galen, etc.
I found two books that sound useful; Medical Terminology by Dunmore & Fleischen, and Classical Roots for Medics by Chambers that I will be adding to my collection as well.
My biology lab this week focused on the effects of alcohol and caffeine on the heart rate. Since we 9class) are not qualified to test the hypothesis on humans, the next best thing was the daphnia, a crustacean relative of
shrimp, lobsters, and crabs, was used.
What makes it such a great subject is its almost transparent skin allowing us to view the heart rate when the controls were added.
It was amazing and heart wrenching at the time, since both I and my lab partner were worried about hurting daphnia, I am thankful to report that no micro crustaceans were hurt during the experiment.
Image source:
Davidson, Jeff Alan. (2002). Learning about Drugs and Alcohol through Biotechnology. Your World: Biotechnology and You. 12, 15-16.
I had my first lab (Biology ) quiz today and I scored 5 for 5 I am just stoked with excitement!
Precalculus has been kicking butt, but I am enjoying it so much, much to the neglect of my other classes, so I am quickly learning to create a day-by-day schedule and following it strictly.
Working on my Chemistry homework now in preparation for next week's test, it should be a good measure of how far I have come over the last three weeks. Thankfully Biology is the only class that requires an essay about a living scientist, so I am thing the journals hard to find a scientist I am interested in learning a lot more about as well as their life's work.
Till next time!
Classes have started in earnest, and it has been exciting through and through, there was thvisit from Gustav then Hanna lots of rain, and some minor flooding but thankfully no tornadoes.
Precalculus (surprisingly!) has been my favorite subject so far, I am actually taking a break to write this post, but the squares and polynomials have become quite fun to me now.
Chemistry is not as bad either, my first assignment will be available online next week, and it will hopefully be a great indicator on how far I've come these past weeks.
My Biology professor though is the best! His light banter makes an otherwise dull subject at times worth every minute of it. Had an assignment the first week of class and pulled it off great!
Have a couple of papers due over the term, so there may be longer absences while I get all my school work in order, but I will update over the weeks!
A good ole reminder on what needs to be done to keep those perfect grades!
Academic achievement is not exclusive to genius and really no mystery. Academic success comes from an
observable and learnable set of skills and attitudes that you can adopt and put into practice from this day forward.
Here are some steps to get you started in the right direction.
a) Studies show that students who label themselves as good students and maintain a “can do” attitude
are more likely to succeed academically then those who do not.
2. Keep your goals in mind.
a) Remember why you’re in school and how an education will help you long term
3. Use your time wisely.
a) Maintain a personal planner to help balance your schedule, plan for deadlines, do an assignment
as soon as possible while its fresh in your mind and break large assignments down into smaller
steps.
b) Make use of wasted time by reviewing index cards in the car, in lines, between classes.
c) Review your class notes within five hours each day. Otherwise, we tend to forget 50% in as little
as 1 hour and 80% over 3 days. Taking notes increases retention by 30% and reviewing those
notes within 5 hours increases retention by 60-60%.
d) For more energy and focus take breaks, get your blood flowing, eat fruit – its food for thought,
avoid sugar, turkey caffeine, large meals, take power naps and get 8 hours of sleep, waking up at
the same time each day.
e) Make an appointment or a point to visit with your instructor during office hours before you run into
trouble. As the old saying goes, “Sometimes success is about who you know – and who knows
you!”
4. Make studying your job and do it efficiently.
a) Be comfortable. Try a straight back chair at a table with good light.
b) Clear off the top of your desk or worktable.
c) Assemble needed materials before you begin.
d) Keep regular study hours.
e) Face away from windows and other distractions.
f) Keep it quiet.
g) Consider joining a study group.
5. Take notes in class and while reading.
a) Develop your own short hand system.
b) Don’t try writing everything down. Listen for key words.
c) Listen for clues such as “the 4 causes were…” or “to sum up…”
d) Note any major conclusions after class discussion
e) If your instructor emphasizes a point, such as putting it on the board, put it in your notes.
f) Get the big picture
g) Read summary paragraphs from your text.
h) Then read each chapter, looking for key points.
i) Skim pages for a main idea.
j) Read more slowly for details.
k) Sit in the front of the room.
l) Review your notes after class.
m) Transfer your notes to index cards for regular review. See #3c.
6. Learn the method to writing reports and papers.
a) Know your subject. (Do your research and reading.)
b) Take notes. See 5 and 3c.
Sources:
Bete, C. (1997). How To Study. South Dearfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co.
Tuerack, G. (2000). Student Leaders Are Students First! Paper presented at The Triad Leadership Consortium Conference, Greensboro
If you are like me and crushed under the burden of expensive texts, one option you can try is used bookstore, some who not only carry your needed texts, but will buy back your textbooks you no longer need.
I am thrilled to be heading down tomorrow to get rid of all those heavy books I lug around and hopefully earn enough to get the rest of my textbooks so all I have to worry about are lab manuals.
Yesterday was orientation day at school, and what a flash of gold and blue it was!
It started off with me leaving around 7am to be there by 7:30, followed by the customary signing in, breakfast and a series of informational sessions.
Most of the information I had already found on my own visiting the school webpage as well as information sent by the school, but all in all it was an interesting day especially since I got to meet my department head, received my ID (the picture which I will hate till the day I leave), and met some of my classmates.
While my current classes only include Biology, Chemistry and Precalculus, I am looking ahead to the other prerequisites such as organic chemistry and physics,
Using Stumbleupon tonight, I found a great site that breaks down Organic Chemistry points into slide show. While not a substitute for studying, it serves as a refresher.
I am halfway through with getting ready for classes, I have my classes picked out for the term;
General Biology with lab,
General Chemistry with lab, and
Precalculus
Tuition is taken care of and now the next big issue are books, I am now at a point that buying books is not an option, if it is in a library I will borrow it even through the Inter library Loan (ILL). Even if I were to go for used versions, I would be looking at $362. 15, ugh not a fun thought.
Looking over my bill I was a bit annoyed that Student Government gets the least amount $0.06, now I realize they may be thinking in terms of the number of students, but if we as students have to pay all these fees for services I probably will never use, why not give back more to the Student Union?
Thought I'd get that off my chest and now I'm off to the library to scour for texts.
Last night I had the opportunity to certify in Cardiopulmonary and Resuscitation (CPRcertification last night at my town's local activities center. A class that normally runs at $90 a head, it was free, I was amazed there were not more participants (only four of us showed up), but it was eye-opening especially to me looking to go into the medical field, it is sinking in that life's will be depending on me, up to this point I had always approached it as helping patients and not having their lives in my hands.
But I passed with flying colors and will receive my card in the mail soon, next its off to find a medical related volunteer position, or go for a research position next summer.
