How to Study for Biology: Tips, Tools & Resources

Figuring out how to study for biology can make learning easier and more fun. Once you grasp the basics, you’ll have the necessary foundation to tackle complex topics in this subject. In this piece, we’ll go over the various strategies, books, and YouTube channels you can use while studying biology.

We’ll also explain how to prepare for your biology exams and improve your grades. Keep reading our comprehensive guide to pick up simple yet effective strategies to learn biology.

Table of Contents

Who This Guide Is For

Our how to study biology guide is for everyone, including:

High school students, including honors, advanced placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) students.
College students, such as undergrad biology, pre-med, and life sciences students
Adult learners or professionals who need a refresher in biology.

If you want to learn how to study biology, this guide has everything you require to learn this subject.

The Key Biology Topics You Need To Know

Here are all the key topics you must know in biology:

Cell biology & Organelles: This consists of learning about the smallest units of life that are everywhere. You’ll understand their structure, how they function, reproduction, and more.
Genetics & Heredity: This tackles how you inherit various gene variations from your parents. The variations can be due to lifestyle, environment, or other factors.
Human Anatomy & Physiology: You’ll learn about a human’s structure and the functions of various parts, from the tiny cells to the large organs.
Biochemistry & Metabolism: Biochemistry is the reactions that occur inside your body and other living beings. Metabolism refers to biochemical reactions that keep you and other beings alive and healthy.
Ecology & Ecosystems: Ecology studies the relationships between various organisms and their environment. On the other hand, ecosystems are about the organisms and the environment within a specific area.
Microbiology: Microbiology is a branch of biology focusing on microorganisms or tiny living beings invisible to the naked eye.
Evolution: Evolution is the study of how various characteristics of a species take place over several generations.
Biotechnology: Biotechnology uses various biological processes to create powerful technologies with applications in the environment, agriculture, and animal and human health.
Ethics in biology: Ethics in biology studies the legal, social, and ethical issues in all biology-related fields like biotechnology, research, and medicine.

The Best Biology Study Techniques (For All Levels)

Here is what you wanted to know all along — how to study for biology. We’ll cover 10 biology study tips to help you tackle this subject.

1. Make a Study Plan

It’s always good to have a study plan or a sense of direction on how you’ll approach this subject. Sure, you can wander around, and you may eventually reach your destination, but it takes a lot longer. With a study plan, you will have clarity on what you should focus on.

For instance, you need to:

Set aside time to go through your class notes.
Read through the topics covered every week.
Ensure there’s enough time to clear your doubts on specific topics.
Have time to prepare for your exams.

Biology is a subject that builds on what you learned previously. A study plan reinforces existing knowledge and makes following your teacher’s lectures easier. It also reduces your stress during exam times because you’ll be ready to answer any question in this subject.

Take your attention span when designing your study schedule because this varies from individual to individual.

2. Use Diagrams and Charts

We’ll be honest — it’s hard to understand biology without any diagrams and charts. Once you read about a topic, describe the process with diagrams. In other words, visualizing various topics helps you make sense of what is going on during a process.

Redraw all the images in your textbook, including cell structures, systems, and life cycles.

Use charts, as they can break down complex topics and processes. For example — what are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration? You can categorize the following processes with a chart — definition, end products, energy released, reaction speed, and more.

3. Try Active Recall & Flashcards

Active recall, i.e., testing your biology knowledge regularly, is the best way to study biology. But what does this mean? For example, let’s say you take notes during your biology class. In passive recall, you go through these notes and write your exam. The chances that you’ll remember various concepts are low.

In active recall, the focus is on becoming familiar with the subject. You keep using your existing knowledge, strengthening your understanding of the topic. You understand the relation between various concepts.

Here are some ways to actively learn biology:

Answer the questions at the end of every chapter in your textbook.
Rewrite your notes (we know this is double the work, but it reinforces your knowledge base).
Conduct small tests and quizzes.

A flashcard is a learning aid. It is a card containing tiny bits of information about a specific topic. These cards reinforce what you learn and make it easier to recall what you already know about the subject.

For example, you’re studying about osmosis. The flashcards can contain “membrane” and “low to high.”

With these cards, you can say osmosis is moving particles from a lower to a higher concentration through a membrane.

Remember, if you’re not actively using what you learn in class, there’s a higher chance you’ll eventually forget about it. In other words, your brain may assume this information is unimportant.

Use tools like Anki and Quizlet, as they are powerful active learning apps.

4. Teach the Topic Out Loud

What’s a quick way to find out how well you understand a specific topic in biology? Simple — you teach the topic to someone else, like your friends or family.

An easy way to do this is with the Feynman Technique. The physics Nobel laureate Richard Feynman came up with a powerful learning method that uses the following four steps:

Select a specific topic in biology and study it: For example, you pick osmosis and learn about this process.
Explain the selected topic in a way that even a child can understand: Since you need to simplify the topic, you’ll learn how to organize and present your thoughts. This step also gets you to think deeper about the subject.
Review your explanation to see where you need to improve: When you analyze your explanation of the topic, you’ll identify knowledge gaps. Or, it shows you what you need to still understand about the subject.
Simplify your explanation and try again: After working on simplifying the topic, explain the process again.

When you use the above steps, complex topics will no longer be confusing.

Feynman Technique works best when you have to explain to someone. You can also use this method as though you’re teaching to an imaginary individual.

5. Watch & Learn Visually

Sometimes, detailed explanations and diagrams just aren’t enough. For example, how cellular respiration takes place in living beings. If you find it challenging to grasp a specific topic, try searching for videos about the concept.

Platforms like YouTube are excellent resources for students because they have tons of educational videos.

Another option is to look for animations that show how a process takes place. For instance, if the citric cycle process is going over your head, find an animation that represents it accurately.

6. Solve Practice Questions Regularly

Answering practice questions is a part of active learning and shows how well you understand what you studied. Moreover, revisiting older topics is always good for reinforcing your knowledge base.

Practice papers help you become familiar with the types of questions you’ll see in your exams. Lower scores in specific topics show that you need to hit the books again to improve your understanding.

You can even use Smodin’s AI Chat to generate biology practice papers.

7. Use Mnemonics for Memorization

Mnemonics is a memorization technique that uses various cues to recall information from your memory. It’s helpful for remembering various biological terminologies and concepts.

They also make learning fun because you can use the following memorization techniques:

Create acronyms where each letter represents a specific terminology or process.
Use the first letter of each word in a biological process or terminology to form a phrase or a sentence. For example, you must remember the taxonomic order, i.e., Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. In this technique, you can say — Dear Kevin Porter Came Over For a Giant Spacecraft.
Match song lyrics to what happens during a specific biological process.

8. Join or Create a Study Group

It’s often better to learn together with a group of friends or your peers. Ask others in your class or your friends if they’re up for learning biology or joining a study group.

There are several ways to make learning through a study group interesting and fun. For instance, you can ask everyone to explain a topic using the Feynman Technique.

Or, see if other people in your group use different methods to study biology. You’ll come across various ideas that you can try to see if they work for you.

9. Organize Your Notes

Organizing your notes ensures you can find what you’re looking for when using your notes as a reference. It provides a logical structure for understanding a specific topic or subject.

You can highlight what’s important so you can focus on these concepts during revision. Another option is to use colors to organize your work based on specific topics or chapters. If using an app, categorize your notes into different folders for easy access.

10. Focus on Real-World Applications

The last tip is using real-world applications, which helps form a deeper understanding of various biological processes. This can also give you motivation to learn because it invokes your curiosity.

Let’s take one of the previous examples, i.e., osmosis. You can see osmosis in action if you soak several raisins in a glass of water overnight. When you check on the raisins in the morning, you’ll notice they are full of water.

During coagulation, your blood, which is a liquid, becomes a gel. A real-world application is cooking eggs. Initially, the egg is liquid. When you apply heat, it becomes semi-solid or solid.

Best Biology Books by Level

Here are our recommendations for different biology books to dig deeper into this subject.

High School

If you’re in high school, Campbell Biology is a must. It gives an excellent introduction to the world of biology. This book is also handy because it ensures you have the necessary knowledge and tools to learn biology in college. Principles of Life by Hillis is another top-notch book if you’re looking for an introduction to biology.

College & Pre-Med

If you are a college or pre-med student, give Molecular Biology of the Cell by Bruce Alberts a go. Lewin’s Genes by Krebs, Principles of Virology by Flint, and Fundamentals of Biochemistry by Voet provide in-depth explanations.

You can also go for Vanders Human Physiology by Widmaier if you want to specialize in this field. If you’re looking for an introduction to biochemistry, we recommend The Machinery of Life by DS Goodsell.

Advanced Learners

We recommend Carl Zimmer’s Microcosm for advanced learners because it does a deep dive into E. coli. He is an excellent writer and can easily immerse you in various biology topics. Evolution by Doug Futuyma and Evolutionary Analysis by Herron and Freeman also contains extensive information about evolution.

Best YouTube Channels To Learn Biology

Videos are an excellent learning aid because you can visualize what you learn in class. If you want to learn biology, here are our recommendations for the best YouTube channels.

Beginners

If you’re new to biology, a high school student, or want a refresher, Amoeba Sisters is an excellent starting point. They introduce you to biology and provide adequate information, which is useful for advanced courses.

Kurzgesagt — In a Nutshell is another excellent recommendation. The explanations are simple, and they provide extensive animations to make it easier to understand various topics. However, they don’t always cover biology, as they also focus on other subjects in science.

We also suggest watching Bozeman Science because the channel has plenty of educational videos on biology. He has multiple playlists covering various topics to ensure you develop a strong understanding of biology over time.

Intermediate

PBS Eons will always be on top of our lists if you want to learn about evolution on Earth. They have several educated hosts that will walk you through the various ages of this planet.

When you need to learn biology as soon as possible, you must check out CrashCourse. There are multiple videos on biology that ensure you get a solid grasp of this subject. You can also look at Real Science since it extensively covers several biology-related topics.

Advanced

Robert Sapolsky’s HUM BIO 150 may be over a decade old, but it still contains relevant information about biology. What if you’re in the medicinal field? In this case, Ninja Nerd is an excellent YouTuber because he produces excellent resources that students and doctors can learn.

How To Study Biology for Exams

Use the following study tips to ensure you’re ready for your upcoming biology exams:

Have an exam preparation schedule: If you start preparing the day before the exam, it’ll feel like an impossible task to cover your syllabus. Instead, you should start studying for your tests several weeks in advance. This way, by the time the exam is around the corner, you’ll only be revising what you studied.
Practice diagrams, vocabulary, and older exam papers: Drawing various organs should become second nature. You should also be familiar with the extensive vocabulary of biology. These things can only happen if you practice regularly. Moreover, you must complete as many older exam papers as possible because they ensure you’re ready for the real test.
Time yourself: When writing older exam papers, you must time yourself. It helps identify how long it takes to complete the test. You can also identify where you’re wasting time and become efficient in answering various questions.
Find weaknesses through quizzes: Quizzes are a lifesaver because they show where to improve. Work on your shortcomings, take different biology quizzes, and see your knowledge base expand.

Use Smodin’s Biology AI Solver To Learn & Solve Faster

One of the biggest problems in studying biology is the lack of personalization for each individual. After all, everyone learns at a different pace. What if you understand the topic or want to clarify your doubts, but it’s too late to contact your teacher?

You can always leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in Smodin’s Biology AI Homework Helper. It explains topics in any way possible so you understand the subject strongly. Want to explain osmosis as though it’s a Star Wars episode? Our AI tool can do it instantly.

It can also answer any questions you have about biology in seconds. Plus, it lists all the resources to dig deeper into the topic. Our Biology AI Solver can also scan images and provide solutions.

Our tool can provide simplified and extensive answers to help you understand the complex world of biology.

You can generate sample exam papers and quizzes to test your knowledge. Our tool can also create a study schedule based on your grade. It’s like having a biology expert by your side who’s always ready to help you with anything.

Final Study Tips To Stay Motivated

Staying motivated is hard, especially as it gets closer to your exams. The stress, anxiety, and pressure can feel overwhelming, making it challenging to study. It can often feel like a huge weight you need to carry.

The good news is that there are several ways to avoid these issues and stay focused, as highlighted below:

Use multiple formats to ensure you have a strong grasp of biology: A mix of videos, quizzes, exam papers, and AI tools can ensure you’re ready to write your biology paper. Why limit yourself when you have tons of powerful learning aids at your disposal?
Set realistic and achievable weekly goals: Set weekly goals and work towards achieving them. However, you must ensure you can achieve them in the given timeframe. Setting unrealistic goals can be demotivating and affect your grades.
Track your progress and reward yourself: Studying is as important as rewarding yourself for all the hard work. You need something to look forward to, or you’ll lose interest. Have a journal or checklist to make notes and track your progress. When you reward yourself after putting in the work, it’s deeply satisfying and motivating.
Join online forums for biology learners: Look on forums like Reddit for biology learners because these platforms are a wealth of information. Students can share helpful tips that will change how you approach biology.
Rest is essential: Staying up late to cram may seem normal so you can do well in your exams. After all, everyone is doing it. However, lack of sleep will affect your performance, so always get adequate rest. Go to bed around the same time and get sufficient sleep. Sleep improves how much memory you retain.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s how you approach biology that determines your level of understanding. Cramming may seem great in the short run. However, you’re less likely to remember what you memorized in the long run.

Break up what you want to learn into chunks because it makes learning biology manageable. As you slowly complete each chunk, you’ll notice your understanding of this subject also grows.

Stick to high-quality resources and use active learning techniques to ensure you can successfully recall information from your memory. With Smodin’s Biology AI Helper, you can generate several tests focusing on active learning.

This handy learning aid for biology will forever change how you view this subject. Try Smodin AI today to see how technology is becoming an indispensable tool that makes learning enjoyable for students!

Frequently Asked Questions

After going through the above guide on how to learn biology, is there anything else you’d like to know? This section answers questions from thousands of happy students, teachers, and professionals.

What are the most efficient ways to study biology?

The most efficient way to study biology is with active learning techniques. These methods focus on reinforcing existing knowledge so that you can recall relevant information quickly. Our AI Biology tool gives you everything you need to learn biology quickly.

How much time should I dedicate to studying biology each week?

You should dedicate at least 14 hours each week or a minimum of two hours every day to study biology. However, studying in intervals is always better, giving you time to process the information. For example, give yourself a 15-minute break after a two-hour biology study session.

How can your biology AI tool help me with homework and studying?

Yes, our biology AI tool can help you with homework and studying. If you have any questions about any topic on biology, just ask our AI-powered tool. It will perform extensive research before providing a simplified and detailed explanation.

Do you offer tools for other science subjects like chemistry or physics?

Yes, we offer tools for other science subjects like Chemistry and Physics. As of April 2025, our tool provides high-quality information with relevant sources in:

Geography
Maths
History
Economics
Astronomy
English

How can I use your platform daily to improve my biology grades?

You should use our platform as a learning aid to improve your biology grades. Ask our tool to use the Feynman Technique to simplify complex topics in biology. It can also generate quizzes depending on your level of understanding to test your grasp of biology.