Studying things by yourself is one of the best ways to learn about the natural world. When studying organisms in their natural environment, the knowledge you have acquired from books and biology classes is combined with your own experiences, observations, and thoughts. When studying things yourself, you will also be able to remember it better. Observing the natural world also makes you receptive to details of the natural world that are often left unnoticed. 


If you do not recognize a plant, take pictures of it! A student taking a picture of interrupted club moss, which is a relatively common spore plant.