Most important - do attend!  Grades from students who took this class in previous semesters show a strong relationship between class attendance and final grade for the course.

If something during lecture is confusing - ask the instructor!  Questions are always welcome during lecture.  If speaking up in front of a large group is not your style, see me after class or during office hours.  You can also jot down your question(s) and hand it to me before or after class,  I'll try to address your point during class.

Staying focused for long class sessions can be a challenge.  If you're having difficulty, try sitting closer to the front of the classroom (a simple concept that really works!).

Consider reading the chapter in the following order:
(a) "Chapter at a Glance"
(b) "Summary" (at the end of each chapter)
(c) Skim the figures making sure to read the captions
(d) Read the assigned pages
(e) Re-read "Summary" 

Please note that not all topics presented in the book are covered during class.  Focus on topics discussed during lecture.
 

Before the exam:
(a) Manage your time - don't wait until the last minute to study the material!
(b) Experiment with studying at different times of day to find out when you retain information most effectively.
(c) Use the on-line study questions - these cover the most important concepts from each lecture (a substantial fraction of each exam will be based on these questions).
(d) See the instructor of something doesn't make sense.

During the exam:
(a) Read each question carefully.  Because exams are multiple choice it may help to circle important phrases in the question or highlight words that are differences between the multiple choice options. 
(b) Answer all of the questions that you "know" the answers to first - jot down your first impression of the harder questions.
(c) Go back to the harder questions - draw pictures and diagrams on the exam sheet, if these will help you work through the concept. 
(d) Answer every question - there is no penalty for incorrect answers.  Make sure that the number of questions that you answered is equal to the number of items on the test (this is listed on page 1 of the exam).
(e)  Re-read each exam question and answer and double check your computerized score sheet for accuracy if time allows.

Some students learn best by listening, others by writing, others by hands-on activities.  Many students learn best using a combination of these strategies.  If you are not aware of what works best for you, experiment with different approaches (e.g., jotting down notes as you do the reading, drawing pictures and diagrams as you're listening to lecture) to see what gives you the best understanding of the material for your time.  Click here to assess your learning style online..
 

Use the online study questions as a guide to the most important concepts covered in each lecture.  Try to understand why the correct answer is what it is, rather than just jotting down the correct answer from the book or notes.   Meet with the instructor to discuss any study questions that are giving you trouble. 
 

Study groups are a very efficient way to use your studying time.  Participating in a study group can help point out topics that you don't understand and help you work through concepts that are giving you difficulty.
 

See http://www.thomsonedu.com/earthscience/garrison
 

To enrich your experience, visit a beach, river, lake or aquarium.  Read a novel about the sea, view some artwork or listen to music inspired by the sea (see Nonfiction, Literature, Art and Music Inspired by Sea for some suggestions).