How do you effectively study without a textbook?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for studying microbiology effectively without a traditional textbook. Participants share their experiences and suggest alternative resources and methods for compiling and understanding course material from various online sources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over the importance of different topics covered in notes from two different teachers, noting discrepancies in what is emphasized and the pace of the courses.
  • Another participant suggests studying everything available but questions why the original poster does not consider obtaining a textbook or free online resources.
  • A third participant shares their experience with distance learning, emphasizing the challenge of studying multiple recommended texts and the importance of using available notes and past exams.
  • Another contributor recommends visiting libraries for textbooks and mentions the availability of free online textbooks, as well as resources like MIT OpenCourseWare and Khan Academy for additional support.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to studying without a textbook, with some advocating for comprehensive study of all materials while others suggest seeking out textbooks or alternative resources.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of relying solely on course notes, including missing explanations and varying content coverage between different instructors. There is also mention of the challenges associated with distance learning and the pacing of courses.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students studying microbiology or similar subjects without a textbook, particularly those exploring alternative study methods and resources.

Edin_Dzeko
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How do you do it?

I'm currently studying microbiology from 2 different sources online. They are both notes uploaded by two teachers at two different universities. What one considers as important the other doesn't. And certain things one of them say it won't be covered in the course. So I've been trying to put my notes together based on these two sources and make one compilation on them both but I get confused sometimes as to what's important to know and what's not.

Also, because they are notes intentionally made for a course and class, certain things are written without much explanation because it was probably explained in depth in the class. When I attempt some of the practice tests that has been uploaded, some of the things in the test weren't in the notes (prob covered in the class). Also, they teach at different paces. What's considered as chapter one is a bit different from the other chapter.

I really don't know what to do. For anyone who studies without a textbook, what do you do? Do you just study EVERYTHING then?
 
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I would say yes--study everything--however, why don't you get a textbook? Or try to download a free online textbook etc...
 
I did 1st year undergrad at a distance university and the situation was pretty much: pick up the 2-3 recommended texts and attempt to study everything mentioned in the course syllabus.

Frustrating and desolate would be a mild description of what it felt like, at said uni the average time it took people to complete their degree was around twice as long. However it did help to have a good stack of exams from previous years.

Imo, if you have notes and classes, USE THEM. And if you have some spare time, be curious and read different textbooks.
 
If you do not feel right about downloading textbooks, you could visit a library. From what I understand, many universities let the general public check out books from their library. Also, many people have written textbooks and have posted them online under some kind of license that leaves it free to use (which is awesome).

If you're looking for more resources, I hear MIT OpenCourseWare is good. It is a collection of MIT notes, lectures, and the such across many subjects. UC Berkeley (and I'm sure many others) also has a website full of webcasts that you may find helpful.

The KhanAcademy is also a website that holds lectures and practice problems covering a bunch of subjects (including biology)
 

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