An optional electronic resource (e-resource) that requiring subscription was offered to 2nd year students studying university cell biology. An online survey attitudes identified cost, the relative (lack) ease of use, and a "general preference", as primary reasons for not utilizing the e-resource. The ability to access graphics, videos, and animations, as well as practice questions, was all seen as positive features. Of the 44 e-resource students, a performance increase of 10% (73%, and 63%, p-value = 0.004) was seen compared to those that did not (90). Within the e-resource cohort, academic performance in the previous year, when other online resources were not optional, less of a differentiation was apparent, suggesting difference were not attributable to individual academic aptitudes. Overall, an increase in academic performance was seen in students that used the optional e-resource. These findings will be presented to assist new students in deciding how to approach their learning in cell biology.