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Dr. Lidya Salim, PhD

@stemthusiast

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Study Blogger x SciCommer x STEM Educator
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〰️ Free study notes, planners and resources
〰️ YouTube, website and freebies 👇🏻

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Wishing you a happy new year ❤️

So much to be thankful for. A week ago, I married my best friend in a small ceremony and we're off to celebrate the end of an amazing (although quite hectic) year.

Despite some ups and downs, I reached another health milestone recently: I'm 3 YEARS CANCER-FREE! 🎉

I know I haven't been too active on this platform lately, but I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy end of the year and a prosperous 2023 - full of health and happiness.

Hope to be back with new content soon 🫶

xo, Lidya by @stemthusiast

Recognition vs. Recall 🧠⁣
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👀 When we “recognize” information, we are comparing one or more provided cues to the information we have stored in our brains. ⁣
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💭 When we “recall” information, we are retrieving it from our memory with few or no cues. ⁣
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Consider these two questions:⁣
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1. Which of the following scientists published the book “On the Origin of Species”?⁣
𝘢. 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘯⁣
𝘣. 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘳 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭⁣
𝘤. 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘭𝘪𝘯⁣
𝘥. 𝘓𝘰𝘶𝘪𝘴 𝘗𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘳⁣
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2. Who published the book “On the Origin of Species”?⁣
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To answer the first question, you just have to recognize the correct information from the list provided. To answer the second question, however, you have to try to recall that information from your memory without additional cues. ⁣
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When you recognize information, you may 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 like you know it but… do you really? In order to fully understand a concept, you have to be able to recall the information from memory. ⁣
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Do you want some tips on how to incorporate active recall into your study sessions? Let me know 💬 by @stemthusiast

Study tip: what you do AFTER class matters!

If you read my last two posts, you have learned what to do before and during class. Although these are important parts of the study cycle, how you study outside of the classroom is also critical.

Here are 3 things you can do *after* class:

1. Schedule time to review your notes every week, even if you do not have an upcoming exam. Make sure you compare your class notes with supplemental materials (readings, textbook,etc.) and make corrections/fill in the blanks as needed. Reviewing regularly will promote content retention, but make sure you are engaging actively with the material. Try solving practice problems, explaining the concept to a friend, writing a summary or using flash cards.

2. Not all studying is equal. Try shorter, intensive study sessions (no more than 30-45 minutes at a time) that include active study strategies! This will help you stay engaged and productive.

3. Do NOT chunk content when studying. It may be tempting to review one chapter or topic at the time because you may perceive them as distinct units. However, there is usually overlap, and it is much more effective to mix them up. This is how you would see problems on a test (and in real life).

What do you normally do after class? How do you usually study 💬 let me know in the comments 🫶 by @stemthusiast

Study tip: what you do DURING class matters!

We have learned what to do *before* class to preview content and start our study cycle. If you missed it, check out my last post.

〰Now, we will explore 3 things you can do in class:

1. Attend class and be active. This may seem obvious at first, but how many times have we been physically in a classroom but mentally elsewhere? Try to actively listen to your instructor and participate when possible.

2. Sit at the front of the class and minimize distractions. Put away anything you do not need, like your phone, before the lecture begins. Avoid sitting at the back of the classroom, where it may be easier for you to get distracted.

3. Take GOOD notes. Do not write down every word that your instructor says. It is recommended that you take notes by hand (either with pen and paper or a tablet and stylus). This will force you to summarize and paraphrase what is said, which allows your brain to process the information at a deeper level. When you type, you are more likely to write down verbatim notes, which is not an effective note taking strategy.

What do you normally do during class?

〰 if you're looking for note-taking tips and templates, go to STEMthusiast.net/note-taking 🫶 by @stemthusiast

Study tip: what you do BEFORE class matters!

The study cycle does not start after you've attended lectures or when you are preparing for exams, it actually starts *before* each class.

〰Here are 3 tips for you to try this semester:

1. Spend 20-30 minutes previewing lecture material (preferably a day before class) and identify the main topics and objectives.

2. Apply the 3R method: Read the chapter/notes/materials; Recite what you remember aloud without looking at your notes; and Review it by reading it again to fill gaps and correct anything you got wrong.

3. Make note of any concepts that you are still confused about + any questions you may have, so you can get answers in class.

Do you want tips on what to do during and after class? 💬 let me know🫶

〰 don't forget to check out STEMthusiast.net for study resources, templates and freebies 🙌 by @stemthusiast

How to start scheduling your study time 🗓

Want to get organized this semester? Grab a planner or calendar, and add your classes and activities. Don't forget to schedule weekly prep/review sessions. Here are four things to include/consider:

1- Preview relevant materials before class 📚

2- Review notes from last class (within 24 h. if possible) 💭

3- Complete homework, assignments and readings 📝

4- Plan short, intense study sessions ⏲ by @stemthusiast

Looking for FREE #STEM study notes and diagrams? 📚✨

Check out STEMthusiast.net for freebies and resources 〰 link in bio!

I spent the summer creating new content which I'm excited to share soon 🤍 - hint: anatomy and chemistry resources will be up next!

Do you have a specific topic request? Drop it in the comments 💬🤍✨ by @stemthusiast

When in doubt, check the syllabus! 📖

The syllabus or course outline is your roadmap to success! Go through each syllabus and highlight key info like expectations, assessments, due dates, and resources. Make sure you note what support available like office hours, drop-ins or tutoring services. Use this info to plan for the semester ahead + refer to the syllabus as needed throughout the term 🙌

Do you always read the syllabus? 💬 by @stemthusiast

How to read a scientific manuscript? 📄⁣
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It's back-to-school season, so I wanted to share some tips on how to effectively read scientific manuscripts.
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Before you dive into the details, you should understand the big picture. Carefully read the title of the paper, the abstract and introduction. This will give you an overview of the topic, why it matters, and what the authors are doing about it. ⁣
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Next, you should skim through the rest of the paper and carefully read the conclusion section. At this point, you should be able to identify the specific research question(s) and the main experimental approach. ⁣
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Once you are comfortable with this, read the methodology in more detail and review the figures/results. Write down key points and take note of relevant references that you may want to check out. This part can take some time, as the goal is to understand the content of the paper. However, it’s okay if you still do not understand it completely at this point. Just make note of what you didn’t understand so you can fill in these knowledge gaps with additional research! ⁣
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Now that you have dissected each section, it’s time to go back and read the whole paper. Be meticulous and don’t be afraid to question the details. Why did they use this specific approach? Did they use appropriate controls? Were the results clearly illustrated? ⁣
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Lastly, I like to write a summary of the paper. Taking notes helps me understand and remember what I’ve learned ✍️⁣
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Do you like reading papers? What's your favourite section? 💬 by @stemthusiast

Procrastination may be a familiar concept for some of us. Here are some practical strategies to build better habits ✨

〰What is procrastination? Procrastination is defined as the action of delaying or postponing a task - it could be a project, an assignment, or even a household chore.

We procrastinate for MANY reasons. Sometimes a task may seem difficult or stressful, so it is easiest to avoid it. When you notice that you are putting off a task, ask yourself: "what am I *really* trying to avoid?". This question was a life-changer for me and has helped me put procrastination into perspective.

Oftentimes, we are not avoiding the task itself but the potential (negative) outcomes of completing such a task, rooted in our fears - fear of failure, rejection or negative feedback, for example.

It is also helpful to reframe your perspective by highlighting why the task is meaningful. This can help you find the motivation you need to complete it. Once you have completed the task, make note of what went well. Did it help you make progress toward a goal? Did you solve a problem? Did you feel good about getting it done? Celebrate your small wins!

Do you procrastinate often? What strategies do you use? 💬 by @stemthusiast

Looking for additional study tools this term? ⁣
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I am sharing STEM-related flashcards sets and practice tests on my @quizlet page! 👩🏻‍💻 I currently have Biology, Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology content 〰 link in bio ✨
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You’ll find a variety of questions in the practice tests, including multiple-choice, true/false, short-answer and even some bell-ringer style questions with pictures.⁣
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I’ve been using this app for a long time and wanted to share! You can review my sets, explore new ones or even create your own ✨⁣
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If you have a topic request, drop it in the comments 💬 by @stemthusiast

Still soaking it all in 🎓#PhDone by @stemthusiast