[...] advice so far. Here’s another one: Study Hacks Blog Archive How Allison Used Her iPod to Ace Biology I’ve had the same issue as you. Subjects like Sociology are interesting to me and natural to [...]

[...] have read something about recording the stuff you need to learn. Call it mini-lectures. After I have read that, I [...]

[...] How Allison Used her iPod to Ace Biology @ Cal Newport [...]

I am not sure if you are in a Biology major or if you only took a couple of courses but most of the Biology students I know tend to memorize the pictures rather quickly. I know this from first hand experience, I only have to look at the picture once, read what its about and I usually am so amazed at the beauty of the system or structure that for some reason it just sticks in my mind. Now, it is true when it comes to the details (such as the exact names of each figure – it does take a while but maybe only an hour).

Also, if by the time of your test, you do not know all the images and structures without looking at them then you are not going to do so very well on a test/exam (especially the topic 21 on her list, which is considered the central dogma of molec. bio).

But who knows, maybe I might be an exceptions (as are the people I know) and others can not do this so well.

@Cal,
Thanks for this tip – I have been wondering how else to use my iPod and this sounds like an amazing way for auditory learners. For visual learners I would recommend those that can to try and make video podcasts – so that you have the images on screen of iPod while listening (this though does depend on the iPod screen size you have).

Any suggestions on how to diminish this fear?

After the first exam, go back and evaluate about what level of summary would have been sufficient to score well. Then trust that as you study for the next.