Study Techniques for Mathematics

8/3/2019 Study Techniques for Mathematics

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Study Techniques for Mathematics

Your success in your math course depends onhow you study. If you follow the following goodpractices, your success in mathematics willimprove.

1. Study outside of class regularly○

Work on your math homework or study your mathevery day.

○ Study your math at least 2 hours for each hour in theclassroom. For example, a 4 unit class will require atleast 8 hours of study per week.

1. Read the textbook.

1. Take good notes in class.

1. Make summary sheets.○ Make a list of important theorems.○ Make a list of important properties and formulas.○ Make a list of important vocabulary words.○ Make a list of the important course objectives for each

unit in the course (usually a section or chapter of thetextbook).

○ Review these lists every day.

1. Practice all problems until you have mastered the ability to

solve and check them.

1. Be aware of what topics you know well, which topics need more

practice and which topics you don't know at all.

1. Continually review: Review material from the beginning of the

semester throughout the entire semester.

1. Do your math homework first, before your other subjects.○ You will be working when your mind is sharpest.○ If you get stuck on a problem, you can revisit it later.○ You have time to get help on problems that you have

no idea about.

1. Take breaks.○ After a period of concentration, take a break for

relaxation or to work on other subjects.○ Return to problems that you could not complete

previously.

1. Utilize campus resources○ Math Learning Center: tutors, software, videos,

textbooks, study skills○ Your instructor's office hours○ Purchase Winning At Math by Paul Nolting in the

campus bookstore.

1. Study in a proper environment○ Quiet.

You need to be able to think deeply to learnmathematics. A nosiy environment will createobstacles to your concentration and createdistractions to focusing on the problems at hand. Youwill be able to concentrate better with no people, TVsor music in your environment as distractions. Playingrelaxing music in the background can be an aid toconcentration, however.

○ Well-suppliedHave plenty of scratch paper, graph paper, pencilsand erasers handy. Colored pencils are also useful. Ascientific calculator is also useful.

○ Well-lit: Make sure there is good lighting whilereading and studying.



○ Study groupsIf you are the type of person who learns well in asocial environment, try joining or forming a studygroup. The Math Learning Center staff can help you inthis regard.



Reading a Math Textbook

Many students pay a lot of money for a textbook butdon't read it! Before you attempt homeworkproblems, it is important that you carefully read therelevant sections of your math textbook. Study the

examples. Note the definitions, properties andformulas. Study the examples. Note the hints from theauthor. Study the examples!

How to read a math textbook:

1. Look at the title of the section and the learning objectives statedat the beginning of the section.

1. Skim the section to be read.

1. Have a highlighter and pencil handy to mark questions and workout missing steps from examples.

1. Put all your concentration into reading.○ Read in an environment with few distractions.○ Highlight important material.○ Pay close attention to material that the textbook author has

highlighted with colors or boxes.○ Remember: reading a math textbook is not like reading a

novel, you need to go slowly and often re-read material tounderstand the ideas being presented.

1. When you get to the examples, go through and understand eachstep.○ Often the author does not show every single step in order to

save space. If there are missing steps, fill them in yourself.○ Study the examples carefully, as they will serve as models

for homework exercises and test questions.

1. Mark the concepts and words that you do not know.○ Make a list of these areas of confusion.○ Look up unknown words in a math dictionary.

○ Ask your instructor or a tutor about unclear concepts.

1. Make lists of important ideas.○ On separate sheets of paper, keep lists of

• definitions

• theorems• formulas

○ Each time you read a section in the math textbook, addsomething to these lists.

○ Have the lists in front of you as you do your homework.○ Review these lists daily.

1. If you do not understand the reading material, follow these pointsuntil understanding arises:○ Go back to the previous page and re-read the information to

get into the flow of the author's presentation.○ Read ahead to the next page to see to where the author is

leading.○ Study all graphs, diagrams, charts and examples used to

illustrate the concepts.○ Read misunderstood paragraphs aloud to engage your other

sensory organs.○ Refer to your notes from class on the same material.○ Refer to another math textbook. You might find explanations

and/or examples that make more sense to you.○ Use videotapes, CDs and website resources to help with

your understanding.○ Define exactly what you do not understand and ask your

instructor, a tutor or a classmate.

1. Reflect on what you have read. Relate this reading to the courseobjectives.



Memory

Much mathematics is a matter of practicing procedures until they

are understood, rather thanmemorized.However, the learning of mathematics does require somememorization of formulas,definitions and theorems, muchlike learning a foreign language.

Memory involves:• registration: inputting the

information into your mind• retention: keeping the

information in your mind• recall: accessing the

information previouslystored

Pay attention to all of theseaspects of memory as you try toimprove in this area.

Here are some suggestions for memorizing your math:• Decide that you want to memorize something. Your intention and

attention to what needs to be memorized is critical your ability todo so.

• Study math every day. Memory requires repetition spread out

over a long period of time. Studying math only once or twice aweek is usually not sufficient to remember much.

• Make lists: vocabulary, formulas, properties, theorems. Look atthese lists every day. Add to each list as you read through yourtextbook.

• Organize your lecture notes, examples, homework and othercourse materials. Sorting, classifying and organizing informationis important to memorization and academic success in general.

• Make flash cards to carry around with important information thatneeds memorization. Look at the flashcards frequently throughoutthe day.

• To memorize a fact, test yourself:○ Ask yourself the question. For example, "The area of a circle

is...?"○ Then write out the answer, and speak the answer aloud as

you write.○ If your answer is incorrect or if you don't remember, then

write out the correct answer 10 times, speaking it aloud asyou write.

○ Repeat this process a few times per day until you always getthe correct answer. Then practice less frequently.

○ If you are a kinaesthetic learner, then walk around or dancewhile studying your math.

○ This technique engages your eyes, ears, hands, mouth andbody. The more that you use all of your senses, the moreyour mind will remember.

○ Be aware of what things you know and what you things you

don't know.

• Pay attention to detail. Write your symbols and words carefullyand precisely.

• As you work through the math course, look for patterns. The more

patterns you recognize, the less you need to memorize.

• Make connections between new concepts and processes andproperties that you have already learned. Synthezing informationand seeing the "big picture" will help you to remember.

• Explain ideas to other people. Your memory is strengthened whenyou have to teach someone else.

• Practice! Practice! Practice!



Note Taking

When you first enter the classroom, preparing to take notes is essential.By taking careful notes you can:

• Record how the instructor has explained

procedures.• Record what examples the instructor has

demonstrated.• Develop good organizational skills.• Record important class information such as

homework assignments and test dates.

Below are some tips for effective note-taking:1. Listen

○ Come to class with a positive attitude; this will help youfocus, concentrate and get the most out of the lecture.

○ Sit close to the front of class as possible to improve yourconcentration and vision.

○ Stay focused on the content of the lecture.○ Do not be distracted by classmates or daydreams.○ Relate important points to concepts you already know.○ Ask the instructor for clarification, if you don't

understand.

○ Listen for words the signal important information.○ How good are your listening habits?

1. Write

○ Bring pencils and paper to class and take math notes in

pencil, not pen.○ Always use the same notebook to take note for your

math class. Your paper should be 8.5" by 11" in size.○ Date each notebook entry.○ Keep your math notes separate from notes from your

other courses.○ Copy down everything that the instructor writes on the

board. If the instructor takes the time to writesomething, it is important.

○ Take notes, even though your understanding may notbe complete.

○ Develop a good note-taking system.

1. Review○ Review and reorganize your notes as soon as possible

after class.○ Write clearly and legibly.○ Rewrite ideas in your own words.○ Highlight important ideas, examples and issues with

colored pens.○ Review your class notes before the next class period.○ Ask questions during office hours or the next class

period if there are items that are unclear.○ Review all your notes at least once per week to get a

perspective on the course.

1. Reflect○ Think about what you have written and connect it with

other math concepts.○ Begin to remember definitions, procedures, concepts,

theorems and formulas that are in your notes.



○ Compare your lecture notes to the ideas, explanationsand examples in the textbook.

Overcoming Math Anxiety Do you feel nervous about math? Do you dislike math?Do you have fear of doing math? If so, you are not alone. You may have "math anxiety."Math anxiety is not unusual. You might be experiencingsome symptoms of math anxiety such as:

• negative self-talk• lack of motivation to work on math• not studying regularly• putting off math homework until the last minute• panic when doing math homework or tests• difficulty remembering math facts• relying on memorization rather than understanding

Math anxiety is a condition that you have the power to change, if you sodesire. Math anxiety is a learned behavior; you can change it!Here are a few suggestions to help overcome math anxiety:

• Do math every day.. You will need to work on your math course

each day, if only for a half-hour. You must avoid doing all yourmath homework and studying on one or two days per week.Schedule quality study time throughout the week and stick to yourschedule.

• Study smart.. Read the information on study skills, timemanagement, note-taking and textbook-reading on this website or

in one of the math study skills books. The more you try differentapproaches, the more you will discover what works for you.

• Attend class. You must attend class to keep up with the fast paceof a college-level math course. You will also get informationregarding tests and instructor expectations. You will see examplesthat are not in the textbook. You are responsible for all informationand concepts presented in class, whether you are present or not.

• Get organized! You need to keep good class notes. You need tokeep a good math notebook with lists of vocabulary, properties,formulas, theorems and procedures. Must anxiety is caused bydisorganization.

• Continually test yourself. Be aware of what you know and of

what you don't know. Keep practicing the concepts and problemspresented in the classroom and in the textbook.

• Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. Having anegative attitude is an obstacle that does not need to prevent youfrom succeeding. Be mindful of what you are saying to yourself.Develop positive affirmations such as "I will succeed in thiscourse!" or "I love math!" to counteract any negative feelings youmay have about your abilities or about math itself.

•

Utilize all your resources. The Math Learning Center,videotapes, textbook, friends, study groups, your instructor, theinternet....all are available to help you succeed. Only you can takeadvantage of them, however.

There are a variety of other proven techniques and activities that willhelp to to conquer math anxiety. There are a variety of resources thatwill address these techniques and activities in more detail than ispossible here.Talk to your instructor or a tutor in the Math LearningCenter about your feelings toward mathematics. Acknowledging your



feelings is the first step in conquering them. Your instructor and tutorscan help direct you to good resources and practices that can help youreduce or eliminate the emotional blocks to learning mathematics.

Learning Styles

Different people learn differently. As a student you should be aware of your own learning style. There is a good computer program in the MathLearning Center that can help you to assess your own learning style.See a MLC staff member for assistance.

Types of learning styles

1. Visual Learners: These people learn best through seeing and

○ like to view diagrams, charts, videos, pictures, andexamples.

○ pay attention to body language, and facial expressionsof tutors.

○ Tutoring advice for visual learners:• draw diagrams or sketches when setting up math

problems.

• use color to highlight important points in thetextbook and lecture notes.

• use multimeida resources in the MLC (internet,videotapes, CD-ROMs,graphing utilities)

• study in a quiet place with little noise andconversation.

• visualize information as a picture to aidmemorization.

1. Auditory Learners: These people learn best through hearing and○ benefit from oral lectures, discussions and listening to

others.○ interpreting the underlying meaning in tone of voice,

pitch and rate of speech.○ are sensitive to unclarity of speech.○ Tutoring advice for auditory learners:

• work in a study group.• create musical jingles to aid memorization.• discuss and explain math concepts to others.• read the textbook aloud.

1. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners: These people learn best throughmoving, doing and touching and○ prefer a hands-on, exploratory approach.○ like to manipulate objects.○ may find it difficult to sit still for long periods.○ Tutoring advice for tactile/kinesthetic learners:

• take frequent study breaks.• move around or stand up while studying.• use bright colors to highlight important points.• listen to relaxing music while studying.

The KWL Strategy (adapted from Mission Readinginstructor Aaron Malchow)

K : What we Know already.W: What we Want to find out.L: What we Learned from the reading.

Before Reading



• Identify what the specific topic is that you are going toread about. In a math textbook, the objectives areusually stated at the beginning of each section.

• Write down 5 to 9 things that you already know aboutthose specific topics.

• Write down 5 to 9 questions about what you want toknow about those specific topics from the section youare about to read.

After Reading• Write down 5 to 9 ideas that you learned from reading

the section.○ In your own words, describe what you learned.○ Make reference lists to use when doing homework

exercises and to study for exams. You can clarifyyour lists with examples.• Make a list of definitions.• Make a list of properties.• Make a list of formulas.• Make a list of theorems.

• Compare and contrast what you learned to what youknew and what you wanted to learn.



Math Tests Your math instructor will be assessing your knowledge in a variety of

ways. You can help yourself become more successful in your math course bythinking carefully about different aspects of these

assessments: develop skill in taking math tests.

Success on tests is not just a matter of knowing thematerial or good luck. Please look at the following topics

regarding math tests.

Preparing for a Math Test

Your success on a math test can be maximized by proper preparation.

1. Practice good study techniques throughout the semester.Read the section on study techniques for mathematics.

1. Begin studying for the test at least one week ahead of

time.1. Work out all practice tests in the textbook and those given by

your instructor.1. Review your study lists.1. Find out from your instructor:

○ on which topics or objectives you will be tested.○ what materials are needed for the test: calculators,

rulers, etc.○ what materials are prohibited from the tests:

calculators, cell-phones, etc.1. Prepare yourself physically

○ Get proper exercise weekly.○

Eat properly prior to the test.• Avoid overeating just before the test.• Eat a good breakfast and/or lunch before the test.• Do not drink too much before the test: you do not

want to have to use the restroom during the test.• Avoid too much caffeinated beverages before the

test; this may cause nervousness.• Do not use alcohol or recreational drugs before

the test. These will impair your concentration andbrain functioning.

• If you are taking prescribed medications, beaware of their effects on your concentration andthinking. Adjust your intellectual activityaccordingly.

○ Get a good night sleep before the test. Staying up latecramming is not productive and can reduce yourmental sharpness.

1. Read the section on doing well on a math test so you know what

to do once the test has started.

1. Do not study the day of the test. Relax and be confident thatyou have done your best to prepare. Additional studying will onlymake you more nervous and reduced your confidence. Before thetest, take a nice walk around the campus and think positivethoughts.

Doing Well On A Math TestBeing successful in taking a math test is not just a matter of studying. There are many factors that that affect a person's ability to do well on amath test.

• First, prepare for the test properly. Look at Preparing for a Math Test for helpful hints.

• In order to minimize mistakes on a test, look at six types of test-taking errors to avoid and how to prevent them.

• Bring all necessary materials to the test:○ At least 2 sharp pencils.○ Good eraser.○ Scientific calculator, if allowed.○ Ruler (or straight edge) and compass, if needed.○ Turn off cell phones during the exam.

• Look over the test for length and difficulty of problems.○ Determine the average time to devote to each problem.○ Manage time during the test

• Limit the time spent on each problem.• Know how much time is left until the end of the test.

○ Work on the easiest problems first.• Do a "data dump:" Write down all formulas and important ideas

when you first get the test, while your memory is fresh and so youcan refer to them during the test.

• Read all directions carefully. Follow the directions.• Show all steps of your work on the test. You can get often get

partial credit for solving part of a problem correctly.• Check your work!

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○ Are your answers accurate?○ Did you complete the problem?○ Did you answer all the questions?

• Do not leave the test room early! Use the extra time to check yourwork again if you finish early.

• Relax. If you feel anxious or frustrated during the test:○ Stop working, put down your pencil, close your eyes.○ Take slow, deep breaths.○ Think positively and remove all negative thoughts.

○ Open your eyes and get back to work.

The Final Exam The final exam in your mathematics course is animportant milestone on your journey through themathematics curriculum. The final exam is a good opportunity for you tosynthesize the topics, processes, techniques and

vocabulary you learned in the course. You can get an overview of whatyou have done and see the relationships among the different topics andsee how these are related to your previous math courses. You can alsoanticipate what may arise in your next math course. Therefore, studying for the final exam is a great academic pursuit, agreat learning opportunity, and a great chance to move your mind to anew level of understanding.

Tips for studying for your math final• If you develop good study habits throughout the semester, then

studying for a final exam is mostly a matter of review.○ Review your previous tests.○ Review your class notes.○ Review your homework exercises.○ Review the summary sheets that you have made.○ Review the highlights in the textbook.

• Begin studying for your math final exam at least two weeks beforethe exam.○ Get all your tests, notes, homework, etc. in order.○ Schedule times each day to review the course material.○ Free your schedule from other responsibilities as much as this

is possible.○ Do not cram! If you wait until the last minute to study for a

final exam, your studying will not be effective in addressingan entire semester's worth of mathematics.

• Identify subject matter that you know well and topics that needmore practice.○ Rework incorrect problems on previous exams.○ Do addition practice problems in areas in which you are

weak.○ See a tutor in the MLC if you need clarification or assistance

with a problem.

• Take care of your physical health: You want to be in good healthwhen you take your final exam.○ Get a proper amount of sleep: staying up too late to study

may just wear you down.○ Get proper physical exercise.○ Eat properly

• Eat a balanced diet.• Avoid over-eating: you don't want to feel sluggish while

study for or taking your final.• Avoid under-eating: you need energy to study and think

clearly.• Avoid excessive amounts of sugar and other junk foods.• Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, alcohol or other

drugs that will impair your capacity to think clearly.

•

Take care of your mental health: Final exam time can be stressful,if you don't take care.○ Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can cause stress.○ Get enough exercise: physical exercise can relieve and

prevent mental stress.○ Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga,

visualization, music.○ Take relaxing study breaks.○ Incorporate some recreational activities into your schedule;

have some fun!



○ If you find yourself getting stressed-out, talk to a friend or acounsellor



Final Exam Week

Five common mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake #1: Cramming (staying up all night to study, or tryingto study one subject for too many hours in a row)

How this is a problem: Think of it this way. Would you expect someone to prepare to run amarathon by staying up all night the night before and running for hoursand hours? Of course not. In the same way, if you cram for hours andhours, your brain will get tired and you will not remember all of theinformation that you studied very well. You will be trying to makeyourself perform optimally on a test when you are mentally exhausted.

Solutions:• Break your study times up into smaller amounts of time (study up

to one hour before you take some kind of a break - but no longer).• Vary your studying by reviewing one subject for an hour or so, then

taking a break and switching to another subject. This will keep youfrom getting burned out on one topic.

• Vary your study methods. This means study by reading, lookingover your notes, reviewing the subject with another student in theclass, using note cards, and making new notes about the material. This will help you maintain a higher level of energy andconcentration. Again, remember that you shouldn't try to do all of these in a row - pace yourself by taking breaks and getting somerest in between study sessions.

Mistake #2: Assuming that you know the material very well when you only have a superficial understanding of it.

How this is a problem:It is tempting to look over your notes, skim through your textbook, andreview your assignments and get the feeling that you know the materialwell enough to take a test on it, even though your knowledge may notbe specific enough to help you out on the actual test questions.Students who fall into this trap often get to the test time and realize thatthey are far more unprepared than they thought.

Solutions:• Find a way to test yourself on the material before the actual test

time. For example, you might want to invent test questions andanswer them, apply your knowledge to a new situation or example,

or have a friend quiz you on the information.• Writing down information in your own words is also a good way to

test for understanding. If you can't write a definition, a theory,etc... in your own words, you probably don't know it well enough toanswer questions about it on a test.

Mistake #3: Trying to be a "superhuman" student during finalsweek.

How this is a problem:Some students miss class during the semester, neglect readingassignments, or in other ways put themselves in a situation where theyhave to become a "superhuman" student in order to do well on a finalexam. Basically, by not doing what they were supposed to do during thesemester, they are making it impossible to study productively duringfinal exam week, because they have too much information to cover intoo short a time period.

Solutions:• During the semester before the final exam, keep up with your

work, go to class regularly, and spend at least some time everyweek reviewing what you are learning (even if you only spend 15minutes a week reviewing for each class). This will put you in amuch better position to review for your finals.

• Keep in mind that, in most cases, as you are studying for yourfinals you are not supposed to be learning the information for thefirst time. You are supposed to be reviewing what you havealready learned in class and from your assignments during thesemester. Make sure that you are in a position where you arereviewing - not learning for the first time.



Mistake #4: Using study time unproductively.

How this is a problem:Many students have good intentions of studying hard over finals week,but they make the mistake of using their study time unproductively. Forexample, have you ever sat in the library and read through a chapter,then realized that you didn't understand anything that you read? Orhave you ever gotten together a study group for a class, then spent half the time talking about the latest episode of "The X Files"? Sometimesstudents don't realize how much time they are wasting by not paying

attention to whether or not they are actually getting anything out of their study time.

Solutions:• As you are studying, check at least once every half an hour to see

if you are staying on track and understanding what you arereviewing. If you aren't, you need to change something about whatyou are doing. For example, if you are reviewing your notes for afinal and you don't understand them very well, you might want toget together with someone from the class and talk through thematerial. You may also want to talk to your professor about thequestions that you have.

• Make sure that you pay attention to your level of concentrationwhen you study. When you feel that your mind is wandering or thatyou are too tired to really concentrate, don't try to push yourself into continuing to study. Take a break and then continue when youare able to be productive again. Studying for hours after your brainhas stopped absorbing material is a waste of time.

Mistake #5: Putting your health aside in order to study moreintensively.

How this is a problem:Some students put aside getting enough sleep, eating properly, and ingeneral taking care of their health because they feel that every minuteneeds to be focused on studying for their finals. However, it is unlikely

that you will perform very well on your final exams if you are a wreckphysically. You will be able to concentrate better and remember moreinformation if you are physically in good shape.

Solutions:• Get at least some sleep the night before your exam. Even if you

only sleep for four or five hours, this will give your brain a chanceto rest and recharge itself.

• Remember to eat breakfast before your exam, and remember toeat at least some healthy foods during finals week in general. Yourbrain will function better if you aren't having blood sugar problemsfrom eating poorly.



Time Management

In order to be successful in your math course, you will need to attendclass and study at least 2 hours per week outside of class for eachhour in class.

Let's do the math: If you are taking a 5-unit mathclass, then you will need to spend 5 + 2 x 5 = 15hours per week on your math. This is a minimumamount of time if you want to learn the material andpass the course.

There are 7 x 24 = 168 hours in each week. If yousleep 8 x 7 = 56 hours per week; eat 3 x 7 =21 hoursper week, that leaves 91 hours left. Do you have a job? Subtract those hours from the 91. Do you goshopping, take showers, have other social obligations

or are taking other classes? Subtract those hours aswell.

Somehow, you need to fit in your 15 hours for math into your week. Therefore, developing and using good time-management techniques isessential.

Goals of Time Management

To be able to have control over your life -

manage your time, don't let it manage you!

To be healthier and happier (less stress).

There are numerous books devoted to the topicof time management. Some suggested resources

appear at the end of this discussion. In the meantime, wise studentswill do the following to help manage their time as a student:

Seven Suggestions for Effectively Managing Your Time 1. Get organized!

○ Use time saving tools: appointment calendars, "to do" lists,

e-mail, answering machines, file folders, etc.○ Have an organized workplace (don't waste time constantly

looking for your work).○ Use your appointment calendar for everything, including

listing study time.○ Use "to do" lists for both long-term and for each day/week.

2. Plan Ahead (Schedule it and it will happen!)• Determine how long your tasks will take (do this before

agreeing to take on a task!)• Consider whether any activities can be combined.• Determine if big tasks can be broken down into smaller

tasks that may be easier to schedule (such as studyingfor exams and visiting the library as part of anassignment to write a term paper).

1. Prioritize Your Tasks○ Use an A-B-C rating system for items on your "to do" lists

with A items being highest priority.○

Set goals for both the short term and long term as to whatyou want to accomplish.

○ Look at all of your "to do"s to gauge the time requirement

and whether additional resources will be needed toaccomplish them (if yes, schedule time to obtain thoseresources).

○ Don't postpone the small tasks (a sense of accomplishmentis good and overlooked small tasks can become largertasks.)



1. Avoid Overload

○ Include time for rest, relaxation, sleep, eating, exercise, andsocializing in your schedule.

○ Take short breaks during study and work periods.○ Don't put everything off until the last minute (for example,

don't cram for exams).○ Learn to say "no" when appropriate and to negotiate better

deadlines when appropriate.

1. Practice Effective Study Techniques○ Have an appropriate study environment.○ Split large tasks into more manageable tasks.○ Read for comprehension, rather than just to get to the end

of the chapter.○ Be prepared to ask questions as they come up during study,

rather than waiting until just before an exam.○ Do the most difficult work first, perhaps breaking it up with

some easier tasks.○ Don't wait until the last minute to complete your projects.○ Read the syllabus as soon as you get it and note all due

dates (and "milestone" times) on your calendar.○ Be a model student! (be attentive and participative in class,

and punctual, prepared, and eager to learn)

1. Be Able to be Flexible

○ The unexpected happens (sickness, car troubles, etc.); youneed to be able to fit it into your schedule.

○ Know how to rearrange your schedule when necessary (so it

doesn't manage you - you manage it).○ Know who to ask for help when needed.○ Have a Vision (why are you doing all of this?)○ Don't forget the "big picture" - why are you doing the task -

is it important to your○ long-term personal goals?○ Have and follow a personal mission statement (personal and

career). (Are your activities ultimately helping you achieveyour goals?)

○ Know what is important to you. (What do you value most?)○ Have a positive attitude!

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High School vs. College!

If you have not attended college before, there are a number of differences between the high school and college environments. Thereare also differences regarding what is expected of you as a student.

HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE

A school for children becomingadults and learning to beresponsible.

A school for responsible adults.

Students are treated as childrenwho need help.

Students are treated as adultindependent learners.

Students must attend school. Taking a college class is voluntary.

Class attendance is enforced byadministration.

Class attendance is expected, butis the responsibility of eachstudent.

High school is free. College costs a lot of money!

Other people structure your time. Students are responsible for theirown time.

Parents and teachers guidestudent decisions.

Students are responsible for theirown choices.

Homework is collected andgraded.

Homework often neither collectednor graded.

Homework is a significant part of

one's grade.

The purpose of homework is to

learn and practice.

Teachers closely monitorattendance.

Attendance is the responsibility of the student.

Teachers remind you aboutturning in work.

Work deadlines are responsibilityof the student.

Teachers will approach studentswho may have difficulties.

Students must approachinstructors if they want or need

assistance.

Teachers may not be availableoutside of the classroom.

Instructors are available duringscheduled office hours.

Teachers make sure you taketests.

Showing up for tests is the soleresponsibility of the student.

Class preparation is minimal. Preparing for class requires a lot of time.

Homework is minimal. Doing homework requires 2 to 3hours per 1 hour of class time perweek.

Teachers guide study. Students are self-directed instudying.

Teachers have time to reviewmaterial.

There is usually not much time toreview material in class.

Tests are frequent and cover onechapter.

Tests are infrequent and cover alarge amount of material.

A student's effort is part of thegrade.

Effort is necessary to learn, but isnot directly graded.

A student may pass the classmerely by attending every day.

Passing a course depends on testperformance.

Mastering the material in math isnecessary for success in the nextmath course.

Mastering the material in math isnecessary for success in the nextmath course.

It is assumed that college students voluntarily choose to pay for andtake a course and will therefore make the required effort to be

successful. College students will, when needed, take the initiative toseek assistance from their instructors, the Math Learning Center andtheir fellow students.

College students behave like adults in the classroom by arriving ontime, by being considerate of their classmates, by not being disruptiveand by participating in discussions. College students attend all their classes, do homework in a timelymanner and come to class on time and well-prepared.



"I believe it is prompt accountability for one's choices, a willingacceptance of responsibility of one's thoughts, behavior, andactions that make the soul powerful."

Study Techniques for Mathematics

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