Biology is killing me

[Arthiel]

I really need some help here. This is my 10th week studying for Bio and I'm just now feeling like I'm starting to "get it." I studied Bio two years ago in 10th grade, I did...ok...mostly got C's and the rare B's on my tests. But now trying to go at it again at college level, having barely grasped HS Bio... >.<

I'm just feeling SO overwhelmed at the amount of info I need to know. It's SO discouraging after having spent my morning studying ATP from various resources and then stepping back and seeing that it's just one tiny topic I need to know for the test. And even though I'm starting to be able to recognize words, like when I see Adenine and Thymine I know it goes with DNA, I don't think I can go a step further and be able to answer questions on it for the test. Cause I hear that the questions on the test are more like scenarios . So I wouldn't be able to just find the answer that has DNA in it. If that makes sense...

I have found the Kahn Academy videos to be really awesome and I've watched the first 1/3 of them so far. I'm hoping they'll teach me enough to get me through the test. I have two books - the Apologia textbook and Biology Demystified. But reading works better for me after I already understand a topic. I've been slowly chipping away at the FreeClepPrep links. Some of them are so long though and I get confused and bored. Sparknotes is the same as reading, I understand it better if I've already gone over the topic. The IC flashcards...I'll do a few here and there but I can usually answer only 4 or 5 and then it goes into things I don't know. I tried a Petersons pt but I got 15 questions in and had only gotten like 2 right and most of the rest I had absolutely no idea.

So...I'm feeling incredibly slow and stupid and wish I could just take this test already. I really really really want to take it before Christmas so I can spend my break in freedom and relaxation and peace and joy and carefree happiness!!! My current schedule looks like...well, this week I wanted to have finally finished all Kahn, FCP, SN things but that hasn't happened so I'm a lot behind. But next week I wanted to do practice tests and the next week do last minute study and then take the test. I could try to take it the week after that if my testing center will still be open. But if it's just not possible for me to be ready by then......then I guess I should study a few more weeks to be able to pass it. But any advice on how to study, or just some reassurance would be much appreciated! : )

[jackbanta]

Arthiel,

Biology is an overwhelming subject. There's a lot there and frankly, the CLEP seemed to skip around various areas. So, it's not like I could say "drill this one section" and that'd work. I found that studying broad helped me, which you seem to be doing as well. I never watched the Khan videos, since I took this CLEP a couple years ago and I didn't know about them. I did watch the Hippocampus videos, but you're probably just as well off using Khan Academy, since I know from the quality of his other work, they're quite good.

Don't worry if you feel like you aren't getting it. You're probably retaining more than you think. I can't speak to the Peterson's for Biology, I actually never took them (I wasn't in my hardcore testing mode back when I took the Bio), but I would bet that they're tougher than the actual exam. That's generally the case and I can imagine them getting into great depth in Biology. I did take the official CLEP test and scored a 68 % a couple days before the test, but I did do some more studying after that. I ended up with a 70 on the actual exam and believe me, I honestly thought I was possibly failing it during it.

Basically, bottomline, I think you're on track and from a time standpoint, I think taking it before Christmas is a great idea. Just try to finish up the Khan videos and use IC more! I know it's frustrating when you don't know them at the beginning, but they absolutely do work. Outside of Hippocampus, they were just about all that I used. And once you've completed the Khan videos, I bet the cards will make a lot more sense ("oh yeah! I remember something about that before").

I wouldn't suggest trying to do anything more than that. There are a ton of IC cards and I know videos take a little bit of time to watch. It sounds like you might be spreading yourself too thin with resources. Multiple resources is definitely good, but there can be a point of diminishing returns. Look at the last ten weeks as your introduction and now just focus on Khan and IC. A couple dedicated weeks and I think you'll be absolutely ready. Hell, like I was saying, you're probably pretty close already. And don't feel bad for the time that you've taken... it's a six credit exam. It's taking the place of A YEAR of Biology. That's not easy.

Good luck, hope some of this helps!

[HorseManiac]

Hi Arthiel,

First of all, let me say that I can understand your frustration. Biology is very broad and can be very intimidating. It's not something that you can just pick up right away! I was a nervous wreck when I took it last year. So first off, don't worry too much. You can do this! And I can totally understand wanting to get it done before Christmas. I just finished up a test so I could be done too.

It sounds like you have lots of great resources, but I'll second what Banta said above. Maybe you should try not using so many and focus on understanding the ones you have. I would recommend that you finish the Khan Academy, IC flashcards, and maybe the HippoCampus videos. I know the IC cards can seem overwhelming, but just keep going over them and reading the explanations. You'll get the hang of it soon. Another good resource is the REA book. I don't know if you want to spend the money on it or if you will have enough time for it, but I thought it was good and several others on this forum do as well. It also comes with 3 practice tests that I thought were more like the actual CLEP. It's up to you.

One site I would recommend is Rader's Biology4kids. It's written for kids so it makes it easier to understand. I see you have the Apologia book as well. That's good because that is the same curriculum that I used in HS. I took Biology about 5 months after I finished Apologia. So I had to refresh my memory, but I felt like Apologia gave me a good base.

About Petersons...they are harder. Don't let them scare you! When you get closer if you want to take one, go ahead, but don't let the score get to you! I only scored a 50 on the 3rd on and got a 65 on the CLEP. My suggestion is use them as a study tool. Read the answers/explanations to the questions you don't know. With the FCP links there is a lot of information. Don't overload yourself. If there is something you feel like you need help with, see if there is a link, but I don't think you need to do every single one. I didn't.

Well, I hope this helps you even a little. Just remember there are lots of people who are here to help! If you have other questions, you can send me a PM and I'll try to help you! Or just post them here! Good luck and just remember you CAN do this!

Horsemaniac

EDIT: One other thing. You really should read everything in the Specific Exam Feedback section on biology! It is sooo helpful!

[clep3705]

Search for CLEP Biology Wikipedia links on this site. It's not in the Specific Exam Feedback section, so anybody can get to them. Study the links and you'll be fine.

[cookderosa]

I remember signing up for my first college biology course. I was SO EXCITED because I LOVED biology!!! Uhhh, or so I thought. What I loved (still love) is what they call exploratory grade school biology lol. I love gardens and animals and space and bones and butterflies and looking in microscopes and nutrition....uhhhh that's not college biology. College biology, for me, was dull vast and theoretical! You could have been teaching me sci-fi because I couldn't grasp the reality of inter-cellular stuff. Throw in a dash of chemistry and I glaze over. I Still have a hard time wrapping my brain around all of it after 8 biology classes. Allllll that being said, I'm still in love with the idea of biology and the study of living things. I continue to take classes, even grad classes. <gasp> But I still struggle with the subject. I'm intensly interested in subjects like childbirth, cancer, antibiotics, nutrition, AIDS, genetics and others issues. Because of that interest, I continue to try and grasp the details.
My point at telling you all this, is because I understand the difficulty you might be experiencing. You can try the other suggestions people are offering, and you should, but seriously, you might do better in a class. Sometimes it helps when a person can filter information or repackage it or rephrase it for you. I will say that the one thing I HATE about classes, is that I'm rushed and stressed to worry about assignments, so much so that I can't really enjoy the class- that said, when it's over I'm always amazed at what I learned.
So, I'm motivated to study the details because I'm interested in the big picture. General biology covers the whole friggin universe of life, so if this is too overwhelming and just to vast, you could try a specific subject and you might gain more ground. I found the BIO201 nutrition to be very doable, also classes I've enjoyed in bio were anatomy, genetics, and microbiogy. Good luck!!

[ryoder]

Take the free Peterson's test. If you can't find it, search the forum, I posted a link to test 1 online. If you do well on it, you are good to go. Find my old post and see how you do. It has been a while since I took it but I assure you that if you read the CLEP BIO, take the practice tests, and then supplement with Khan and Petersons you will be fine.

[Arthiel]

You. guys. are. awesome. Thank you so much! Your encouragement just about made me cry. ; ) I feel much more confident and motivated now.

Banta - I think you're right. Maybe so many resources is just giving me unrealistic expectations that leave me feeling like a failure each day. I think I will just focus on the Kahn videos right now and try to stick with IC.

Horsemaniac - Thanks, I think I will see about getting the REA and it's good to hear that about Apologia. And yes, I looked at the Specific Feedback and got really excited at all the info on there.

clep3705 - Yep I have those links saved somewhere.

Jennifer - Haha I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who feels this way. It does seem like sci-fi. I do find most of it interesting...it just takes a while to wrap my mind around it all.

ryoder - Yes I'm planning on taking the Petersons tests soon.

[ryoder]

Hey, there is no crying in CLEPPing

[Arthiel]

Believe me, I've shed many tears over this whole college experience. But I wouldn't want to do it any other way.

[ryoder]

I guess if you are a female it is ok to cry about a CLEP test but don't let me here any guys crying about taking US History