azntennis

Hello everyone.

So the title is pretty self-explanatory. I'm doing so badly in Bio.

I'm a sophomore. It's my first time taking an AP class.
I am having so much difficulty in class. I'm scoring low in quizzes, feeling so lost in class discussions, and I don't understand a single thing in labs
We took our 1st quiz last week and I got a 6 out of 10. Then, we took our 2nd quiz, I scored 7 out of 10. Only 1 point better than the last one. And everyone in my class are getting socres like 9/10 or 8/10 and they would say "It was so easy! It was just common sense." and it just frustrates me!

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.. Please help. Any advice or tips are deeply appreciated!
P.S. I already bought the Cliffsnotes AP Bio book.

CE527M

Don`t think about how the other students are doing.....it just makes it worse. With AP classes, they`re filled with smart kids, and for some AP classes, you`ll do better than most, and others, you`ll just be average. I bet only the kids who are getting 8-9/10 are saying that they`ve gotten that...surely there are other kids in the same spot as you who aren`t saying what they`ve got.

Talk to the teacher and see if she/he might have any extra credit, tutoring available, and make sure to ask questions in class if you don`t understand something! Use your resources!

We have AP Bio-Chem at our school that Sophomores (and Juniors) take before AP Bio....they learn Chem one day and Bio the next. And I have three guys in my AP History class who are doing both APs, and they said they go to tutoring for it all the time.

jam531

I totally understand how you feel , I was in ur position last year but I survived and passed the class and the ap exam so trust me you will to , they wouldn't have let u in if u weren't talented I'm guessing ur quizzes are on the book , you should take reading notes or annotate your book , it really helps the information stick as for labs google them , I know it sounds like cheating but reading over other people's labs will help you understand what's happening and forming lab groups to complete the lab write ups help soooo much and I made very good friends I would recommend the Kaplan ap biology work book for the class and the test and the sparknotes complete package for the test the flash cards did wonders for me lol

jam531

My first post really got messed up sorry its the apps fault

myoliewufan1995

Yea it's a tough class. That's why I spend more time studying for this class than for other classes such as USH and Mandarin 2 which I find super easy. Anyways I read the AP textbook that was assigned to me by the school and it made everything a whole lot easier. We are currently learning about Cells which I find boring. I think its going to get way better next semester because we're going to start learning about evolution and all that which I find totally easy.

FantasyVesperia

^ I hate evolution lol. That and ecology are just....ew....

We have a test on chapters 22, 23, 24 and 25 on Oct. 3rd. For me personally, I find that reading the book is really beneficial. When you're reading the material, make sure you understand the material, I mean really understand the material. I have a studying technique that's fun and it helps you know what topics you need focus/work on, it's called "Playing Teacher" lol. I spit out the information I learnt and read and teach it to my family. If I fumble on a few things or forget things here and there, I know that I need to work on those areas. The point of this is to make sure you know your facts and your ability to regurgitate information.

Another study tool I use in AP Biology is making a concept maps. Out of all the information you've received, at least try to make a concept map. In my class, all of our notes are concept maps. If you keep on making these, the information will start sticking. They do work, and are really easy to look at if you're not a dedicated reader lol. Studying in general really depends on what type of learner you are.

azntennis

@FantasyVesperia We are actually learning about Ecology in class, its a boring subject...We have a chapter test on it on Monday I'm so worried and stressed!

Thank you to everyone who gave me some tips. I'll try all of them and see what works best!