Suggestions for Success in Your Math Class

  1. Keep a positive attitude. Optimism is a great motivator and motivation is the parent of effort. One cannot set goals in a pessimistic frame of mind, much less actually accomplish them. An aid to a positive attitude is to become involved in what you are studying.

  2. Set realistic goals.

  3. Come to class and participate in class. There is no substitute for regular attendance.

  4. Read your textbook before class. Come to class with your questions.

  5. Do your homework regularly, NOT just before it is due. Research has shown that if you review new material within 24 hours, your retention will be greatly improved.

  6. Meet your fellow students, exchange phone numbers, introduce yourself, join or create a study group.

  7. Make a notebook containing your syllabus, first-day handouts, class notes, homework, quizzes, and exams. Use dividers to separate these categories. File all your papers in this notebook.

  8. Get a scientific or graphing calculator.

  9. When you need to memorize formulas, make flash cards using 3x5 cards.

  10. As soon as you feel yourself sinking, come to my office hour so we can figure out how to help you succeed in this class.

  11. Study for the exams by practicing on the problems in the chapter review and from the sections we covered in class, doing the problems NOT assigned for homework.

  12. Use your instructor's office hours for questions you may have or a private conversation.

  13. Use the Math Learning Center (MLC), in Room 1074, to get answers to your questions as you work on your homework.

  14. Keep track of dates of tests.

  15. On a weekly calendar, block out each known school activity as well as other activities in your schedule. Write down your work schedule, the hours you attend class, when you are going to study (8 to 12 hours per week outside of class for this class alone!), when you are going to write reports, visit instructors during their office hours, go the Math Learning Center, visit your relatives, go out socially - write down everything. Include new information as it becomes known.

Reference: The College Survival Guide: Hints and References to Aid College Students, Third Edition by Bruce M. Rowe. Published by West Publishing Company.

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