..... allthooooouuuggghhh ....

I just remembered: some texts come with CD Roms, or links to web-sites that offer interactive lessons, self-tests, etc. Also, ask your professors if they can recommend anything in particular, either a work-book they have successfully used in the past, or a study technique that has worked wonders.

Sometimes we have discussion groups outside of class for particularly difficult readings we might have, so we can be sure we have a handle on the important concepts before we actually have to face the professor and talk like we know what the hell we're talking about ...

Another studying trick I use is to make outlines of the chapters I read - kind of like doing a reverse research paper - I take apart what the writer wrote, and just set up the main points and arguments. A tremendous amount of seemingly complicated readings are really pretty basic ideas: it's just the argumentative and supportive elements that can bog you down, especially if the writer isn't very good at being succinct.

Finally - sometimes it's useful to try and explain complicated ideas/theories to another person (you might have to bribe him or her with dinner, however) - if you can successfully explain ideas to a person who has no knowledge of the topic whatsoever, then you're golden!

wonderful...wonderful.
(scribbling madly)
Yes, I suppose it really does matter that I'm studying Biology!
Lots of tiny bits to digest and reassemble and branch off on.

But I loved the idea of re-writing the chapters and also explaining it to people the general concepts...though you're right it would take a special kind of person to listen to me spout off about Adenosine Triphosphate and The Calvin Cycle Etc. Gee maybe they have a Tribe for that? The Teach-Me-Something-New Tribe!
Anyways,
Thanks!