Science Study Skills
An important component of most science courses is tables and illustrations (including graphs, charts, photos, and diagrams.) To help you study science, the Harvey Center provides some tips for summarizing numerical data which is often found in tables, and studying illustrations which provide graphical representations of terms and concepts. Check out the science study tips below.
NOTE: When tables or illustrations are used in class, sometimes it is difficult for students to copy both the illustration and tables, in addition to taking notes on the instructors explanations. To deal with this problem, students should try photocopying and taking to class the tables and illustrations presented in the readings.
- You should find out from the syllabus or instructor what readings will be covered in the upcoming lecture(s).
- Important tables and illustrations from those readings are then photocopied. Small visual aids may be enlarged.
- Cut out the visual aids (including the captions and keys) so that the surrounding text may be discarded.
- Then center and recopy the cut-out illustrations to yield a 8.5 x 11 copy of each visual aid.
- The extra space around the table or illustration may be used for recording the instructor's explanations, labels, and other notes.
If you use three-ring binders for your science coures, it is easy to integrate lecture notes and photocopies illustrations.