Do you dread your biology test? Or simply want to rake up higher marks in it?

HAVE a mindblock studying biology? Here are ten tips to get you to ace the very same subject.

1 Use two or three colours of your choice to highlight difficult words in your textbook. You might think that using colours or stationery is a waste of time and money. But, it comes in useful at the time of your exams. If important points are already run over and highlighted, it makes the task of revising easier.

2 Keep a pencil and paper handy. Biology becomes easier if you read and look at pictures. It is still simpler if you draw and remember diagrams in your own way. Try to do this on the same page as the text. This will help you to associate concepts correctly.

3 Write down and practice difficult answers. It is a known fact that writing improves concentration and helps to memorise things faster.

4 Please read through each and every word and try to understand concepts instead of blindly learning by rote.

5 No matter how bored you are, study this subject in a sequence, ie starting from the first chapter. Do not jump pages or chapters.

6 Biology is easier studied point-wise. Try to formulate the sentences on your own. Reading more on the topics will make you naturally develop the language of biology.

7 An effective way to learn definitions is to write them on flash cards. Memorise these flashcards while travelling or idling around. An alternative is to make a small list of these words and hang it on a wall in your room. This increases memorising capacity and helps retain them for a longer time. Try to be creative and invent your own shortcuts and methods to learn.

8 A good method for remembering answers is to associate them to a movie, place, object, etc. Draw diagrams and write down difficult words wherever possible to reinforce them. For example, jot it down on a bus ticket and stick it to the page you are reading. Or when studying parts of a human body then, remember kidneys as bean shaped, liver as a triangular leaf and the like. This will jog your memory faster.

9 Make a habit of studying biology right from day one. A systematic approach is the key to success. It is well known that, every human being is at his peak productivity during certain hours of the day. Try to devote this time for biology and see the difference.

10 If you love to study in groups, then do so with likeminded friends. Teach and learn from each other and try to stay motivated.

A good approach to this innovative subject is to study it amidst nature’s beauty or in a silent spot like a library. These places tend to ignite that spark to study. A healthy start will encourage you to carry the task further and boost your confidence.