9 Tips to Succeed in Science If You Are Struggling
Are you not a science person? Does that mean you won't be able to succeed in the sciences? Not necessarily. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and that extends beyond just reading, writing, and arithmetic. The truth is that some people are more naturally inclined towards mathematics, while others are better at reading and still excel when it comes to speaking or listening. And while many of us have a natural inclination towards one subject over another—science being one of those subjects for which most of us don't have an affinity—that doesn't mean we can't succeed in science. We all have a unique set of skills and abilities, but if you struggle with science, here are eight tips to help you succeed.
1. Focus on the fundamentals
Whether you're learning about chemistry, biology, or physics, the fundamentals of the science you're studying are important, and if you don't have a solid grasp on them, you'll find yourself struggling in all of your classes. Fortunately, most universities have an introductory course that provides a basic overview of the fundamental concepts of science. And even if your specific school doesn't have a general science course, you can still find a basic science textbook online and use that as a study guide.
Focusing on the fundamentals is important because it will help you develop the fundamentals of critical thinking and problem-solving, which is important in any field, including the sciences. There are countless examples of people who were great at one specific thing, but when faced with a problem that wasn't related to their area of expertise, they didn't know what to do. So by focusing on the fundamentals of the sciences, you can avoid this pitfall.
2. Don't be afraid to ask for help
Unlike with other subjects, like history or English, it's not a bad thing to ask for help in your science classes. In fact, it's a really good thing. While there are some professors who don't like to be interrupted, most will gladly answer your questions, even if you're a little embarrassed to ask. The truth is that science professors have probably seen it all before—and they want you to succeed. So don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's during office hours or in class. If you ask for help, you're also communicating that you're willing to put in the work necessary to succeed, which is something your professors will appreciate.
3. Be an active listener
We've all seen the person in class who's obviously not paying attention to what the professor is saying. While some students adopt this approach out of pure laziness, others do it because they have a hard time understanding what the professor is saying. If you're in the latter category, you might have trouble understanding the concepts the professor is trying to teach. So make sure you're an active listener. Pay attention to the professor's tone of voice, and look for visual aids like graphs or charts. If you're still having trouble understanding what the professor is saying, ask a question. If you don't ask, the professor won't know that you do not understand what they're trying to teach you.
4. Turn to technology
Are you one of those people who's always glued to their phone? If so, you might want to turn to technology to help you succeed in your science classes. There are several different applications that can be used to study, including quiz apps, flashcard apps, and even apps that can read books to you. Create a to-do list using an app like Google Drive if you're having problems getting started on your science homework. This will help you remain on task and finish your job.
If you have trouble organizing your thoughts, there are even apps that can help you organize your thoughts. If you use technology to help you succeed in your science classes, you should also be sure to put down your phone when you need to focus on your work—there's no point in using technology if you're not focused on what you're doing.
5. Find a mentor or role model—and stick with them
If you're struggling in your science classes, it's important to find a mentor or role model—someone who is excelling at what you want to be doing. In fact, it's a great idea to talk to this person and ask them how they got to where they are today. You can ask them what their path to success was like, what they struggled with, and what they wish they had known when they were in your shoes.
If you can find a mentor or role model who is a graduate of your school, that's great, but it's not a deal breaker if you can't. You can find mentors outside of school as well, as long as they're people who have succeeded in the field you want to be in. By sticking with your role model or mentor, you'll be able to see what it takes to succeed and can hopefully apply that to your own education.
6. Commit to practice and persistence
Even if you're a science person, it's important to commit to practicing the skills that you need to succeed in science. For example, if you struggle with math, commit to doing math problems every day. If you find that you keep making the same mistake, find a way to identify the problem and fix it. If you struggle with writing, commit to writing every day. If you don't know what to write about, write out your thoughts and see where they lead you.
The more you write, the better you'll get. If you struggle with public speaking, commit to giving presentations. If you struggle with reading, commit to reading every day. Science isn't a subject that you can master overnight, but with practice and persistence, you'll be amazed at how quickly you improve.
7. Celebrate small wins
It can be easy to get down on yourself when you're studying for science classes, especially if you've always struggled in these subjects. But don't forget to celebrate your small wins. For example, if you commit to reading for 30 minutes every day, don't just pat yourself on the back for reading for 30 minutes—write down what you read. If you commit to writing 500 words every day, don't just pat yourself on the back for writing—pick out the best sentence(s) you wrote that day. If you commit to watching a YouTube video about a chemical reaction each day, don't just pat yourself on the back for watching chemical reaction videos—write down what you learned from the videos. By celebrating your small wins, you'll feel more confident in your abilities and be much more likely to succeed in the long run.
8. Stay organized
Are you always scrambling to find your notes for a test? Do you have an exam coming up and have no idea how you're going to study for it? If so, you might want to work on getting more organized. This can help you feel less anxiety about your upcoming tests and assignments, as well as make it easier for you to find the materials you need when you need them. This can be as simple as creating a calendar where you track your assignments or a bullet journal where you write down important dates and information.
You can also make folders for your notes, create a flashcard app, or find apps on your phone that can help you stay organized. No matter what you do, it's important to stay organized if you want to succeed in your science classes.
9. Find your learning style and use it
Are you unsure of your learning style? This quiz can help you find out. And while some people are more naturally inclined to succeed in the sciences, anyone can succeed if they find the right way to learn. For example, if you find that you don't retain information when you read it, you might want to try listening to an audiobook or recording your professor's lecture so that you can listen to it again at a later time. If you find that you're better at writing than you are at speaking, you can turn your research papers into podcasts or create Youtube videos about your findings. As long as you find what works for you, you have a good chance of succeeding in your science classes.
Conclusion
There are many science majors out there who didn't love science until they found their niche and discovered they had a knack for it. With the right tools, anyone can flourish in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math). When the time is right, you'll feel like you were spending more time memorizing facts about plants, animals, and various ecosystems than actually learning about them. Visit Educationalcraft.com for more information on how to pursue your educational aspirations in the best ways to ensure your success.