To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.

                                       - Chinese proverb

When students took the final exam in Bio 205 (Microbiology), I posed this question to them: What would you tell future microbiology students about this course if they asked you? What do you wish you had known when you enrolled in this course?

A representative sample of their responses are shown below.

Go to class! The lectures are enormously helpful. There is a lot of information and you cannot afford to get behind. I had so much fun in this calss. I loved all the interesting ways we learned microbiology. The use of visuals and activities helped me grasp some very complex principles and processes.         L.

There are some pointers that I learned early to help me. First, always be in class. The info the teacher gives you is so valuable. Your understnading of the concepts in this coursse is 90% increased when in attendance. Secondly, when in class make sure you ask lots of questions and try to understnad the underlying themes. When in doubt, shout it out, well figuratively anyway. Any concept that has to be re-explained will benefit all who listen anyway. All the more reason to obey the first rule and be in class. Without it you have already missed two easy ways to pass the class. Third have a friend. It is crucial to have someone to talk to and explain things to on your own. Although I did not have a study group, I regularly discussed the principles taught to the students around me that we all understood what was going on. It is much easier and lifts the load of explaining on tests if you have already done it previously. It also takes away study time becasue you have already learned the concept in discussion. Fourht, study for tests as if it were all essay. This way you won't miss any points that are crucial.         N.

Like any other class, especially in the science department, you must study. This class definitely requires the student to be self-motivated. It is not a class that you can go and fall asleep in and expect to do well. It isn't even a class where you can just go and listen and even take notes and do well. It requires a lot of outside study time and dedication...        G.

...Also use the CD that comes with the book to visualize processes. Review daily what was gone over in class and try to read ahead and you will do okay...        L.

...I found this class to be extremely challenging. However, I learned an immense amount of useful information I can apply throughout my career. The hands-on applications in lab were especially helpful. Time and dedication are key to your success in this class!        T.

If someone asked me about this class I would tell them to definitely take it, even if science wasn't their major, because the things I learned this semester I think everyone should definitely know.         S.

The class wasn't too difficult as long as I followed a few habits. Always come to class. The packet she provides is extremely helful but only if you come to class and pay attention. Her tests were geared toward success but I was often surprised at how many questions were mentioned in lecture and not emphasized in the book. ..I not only learned a lot, but I really enjoyed this class.         D.

Dr. Johnson is an entertaining professor who will do her best to help you through, regardless of the effort you put in! Going to class is one of the most over used cliches on the website but it is advice that should be listened to! By not going to class (and reading ahead for lab) you will lose out on A LOT of points that will make a difference in the end! And by the way every nurse does need to know what micro has to offer; you'll see!" C., EMT-B

Take advantage of the CD-ROM and microbiology on the internet. Use it often. Do not miss any days, especially lecture. Know that this course will make you paranoid for the first few weeks. Study hard!         L.

I would tell a student taking microbiology to take advantage of all the resources available to study for microbiology. The MicroVision CD is wonderful. I would highly recommned using it...Make sure you read the chapter being discussed before you come to class. It will help make the material clearer. Study hard and you will succeed. J.

Organize the lab material very well. Utilize Peggy's website - practice tests, lab tools, etc. They are very helpful. I found them to be the most helpful thing for me to prepare for lecture and lab tests. Review the material for each lab exercise and make notes of key points and concepts. It will make it easier when it comes to studying for the practical.        T.

One of the most important things in completing this class successfully is to not miss even one day of class. When in class, put everything in your mind aside and only concentrate on the material being taught...Ask questions. When you ask questions the professor has the opportunity to go into detail about a subject and really explain things. Regularly review material. It will amaze you how well you can keep things in your brain if you just review what was covered in class every day. Get plenty of sleep. Don't stay up all night studying because when you are taking the test, you will be too tired to think.        S.

I would encourage other incoming students to (1) quickly form study groups (2) not take another class with a lab at the same time (3) concentrate on lectures and (4) most importantly make time to review frequently in between class time.         C.

I hope you are ready to devote a lot of time to this class to study because you will need it. Before I began this class, someone told me that it is a fun class and I thought they were crazy - but they were right. Even though it is hard work and a lot of information coming at you, the labs are very interesting and fun to do, especially towards the end. Just be prepared to study a lot, learn more about bacteria than you thought there was to know, and relax, because there is light at the end of this tunnel.         A.

...Plan on putting some time into learning the course material - whatever is brought up in lecture will be on the exam. Follow Peg's advice - study as if you were answering all essay questions - it really helps. Use the course packet.         M.

You are lucky to have Peg Johnson as a teacher (and she didn't pay me or give me an "A" to say that). The most important thing I can tell you is to be prepared for class. Read your chapter or lab before going to class. The lectures will make much more sense if you are familiar with the information being presented. Equally important is to use all the study resources available to you! MicroVision, practice test questions, and chapter quizzes on the internet are very useful. ...In lab when you get to the point of identifying unknown bacteria, don't get frustrated or nervous. You will know how to do the necessary tests, just get to work on it right away and it will all come together.When you get Peg's syllabus it looks overwhelming! Keep up with the work, don't let yourself fall behind, and it's really not so bad!         K.

Challenging course that makes you think about the connections that exist between all living things. It is amazing to me that an organism or virus so small that you can't even see it can hold the key to our survival or demise. It is truly mind-blowing.         S.

As an MCC student in Dr. Johnson's microbiology, I discovered that there is more to "Micro" than the average student would expect. Dr. Johnson is an experienced microbiologist devoted to education (as expressed in the merits awarded her). Her class is very structured and not recommended for the student looking to put forth little effort. It is recommended for the serious student seeking clinical education in the medical field...Dr. Johnson uses many educational tools to aid in comprehension, and her lectures are usually accmpanied with a phenomenal Powerpoint production, Guided Group Discussions, Case Studies, a Course Packet to follow with in the Powerpoint production, current and past medical technological advances and discoveries in the media, as well as a comfortable personality, that makes questions easy to ask (even dumb ones). Don't let Dr. Johnson's hair color fool you; she is among the most technologically advanced mentors you will ever encounter. Aside from the aids listed above, she has developed computer programs and web pages to assist in microbiology eduction, filled with voice pronunciations and remarkable visual aids. In addition, any questions you misssed in class are just an e-mail away (even quicker than the phone!). And for up to the minute grades, just look to the web... Don't wait, enlist today, it's not just a class - it's an adventure.         M.

This course is very interesting and intriguing...Exchange phone numbers with the people in lab and class and use them. Keep communication open with the instructor if having any form of difficulty in life (i.e. illness, child care, etc.)         A.

Study! Study! Study! It's much easier if you study a little every night. It is much easier than studying at the last minute. Also read ahead in lab. It really does help and it pays when you have quizzes. Buy the CD-ROM. It helps a ton. Also do the practice tests on the internet. They can be very beneficial.         M.

I always dislike surprizes when I am taking a course. Hopefully these words of wisdom from previous microbiology students will prove helpful to you. Microbiology is a fascinating world - I look forward to sharing it with you.....Peg Johnson