Look at the end of any chapter and note the organization of the review, self-quiz, and challenge questions. Before class, skim the assigned chapter, looking for general concepts and topics rather than getting lost in the details. Look at the figures and read a few figure captions. Don't just assume that, because you read the chapter, you will remember. Active reading requires that you stop, frequently, ask yourself questions, and answer as best you can without looking back at the book.
Successful students come to lecture and lab alert and motivated to learn.
Listen for the main points in lecture and organize the details around them as you take notes. Generally, good note- takers make better grades. Lectures make you select what is important and put the information down in your own words, which is very important in the process of learning. The lecture will cover the key topics that are important for understanding some of the basic principles of modern biology. Have blank paper handy, and draw your own version from memory of some of the important figures.