By Heather Bench/reporter

Science classes are much easier when students know a few tricks for learning the concepts, a TCC professor told students who attended the Buffers, Basalt and Bones seminar Sept. 16.

“Science requires a different kind of thinking, and some students aren’t used to that yet,” said Dr. Janice Smith, biology, anatomy and physiology professor who has taught on NW Campus for 20 years.

Smith has offered the seminar three times in the last four years because she believes it helps students, she said.

A handful of students attended the seminar, including NW student Teresa Williams, who said she wanted to get good study tips to help her with her science major. She said she loves science and wants to hear anything she can about it.

Another student, Lisa Brizan, said she attended because she needs help in science and wants to develop good study habits.

Smith told the students they need to make time if they want to succeed.

“And you have to practice, practice, practice,” she said

The key to learning how to study is to play to one’s strong skills, Smith said. Students need to figure out if they are visual learners or do better by doing, for example. 

“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe you can do it, you probably won’t,” she said.

Smith said she tries to teach students how to think. Students need to be inside the box not outside the box to “get a 360 point of view” because students have to think more than one way in science.

Some key strategies Smith offered included starting early, learning the lingo, repetition and brainstorming.

“Consistently plan,” Smith said. “You can’t wait till the night before to study.”

Attitude makes a tremendous effect on how someone learns, Smith said.

“Students need to enjoy learning and want to learn something new everyday,” she said.