Pre-Med Q&ACategory: Scheduling and ClassesHow to study for MCDB 310
AvatarAnony asked 1 year ago

I’m not sure what the best way to study for MCDB 310 is and would love some input 🙂

1 Answers
AvatarArjun Batra answered 1 year ago

Hi! Thanks for your question!
So obviously individual people study differently, so take how I studied for MCDB 310 with a grain of salt based on your own study preferences. For me, detailed note-taking was the key to my doing well in Biochem. 
According to the LSA course guide, your instructors this semester are Dr. Nandakumar and Dr. Akey. While I did not have Dr Nandakumar in my semester and am unfamiliar with their teaching style, I can give you some advice on Dr. Akey’s lectures. In my experience with his lectures, everything is fair game on tests, unfortunately, and he may ask you about some obscure molecule or process he covered briefly, so know his lecture slides well. Personally, my exams were online and technically open-note, so my detailed notes on everything he covered in lecture served me well.
Another thing I’d highly suggest is to take advantage of discussions with GSIs. In my experience, the MCDB 310 GSIs are fantastic and they know how to break down Dr. Akey’s complicated lectures into the “Need to Know” concepts. You also can’t go wrong with studying with your classmates; that has only helped me in the past.
Lastly, practice exams. For when it comes time to take the tests, let the practice exams inform you on your weak spots, and hammer them down. Take practice tests like you would a real test, as this will help you feel more comfortable and familiar during the real thing. When I took 310, the practice exams were absolutely integral in showing me what I needed to work on, and practice tests are very similar to what will be covered on the actual tests. 
This may all seem overwhelming, but in the moment, you’ll find your groove. I’m sorry I don’t know your other lecturer’s teaching style, but once you figure out what your best study methods are for Dr. Akey’s sections, you’ll be set for the whole semester. 
If you have any more questions about Biochem, please don’t hesitate to follow up, and I’ll try to answer as best I can. 
Good luck this semester! And know that we advisors are here to support you and cheer you on!
Best,
Arjun, PMH advisor

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