How to Study Math Courses

Math skills are fundamental in today's world, yet many students of all ages have never been propertly taught how to study a math course. How you study will determine your success in a math class, and a different mind set is required.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A good notebook
• A tape recorder, if possible
• A pencil
• Textbook
• Pen
• New notebook
• Recorded lecture tape
• Scratch paper
• Graded assignments
• Recopied notes
• Textbook

During Class Lecture

1. Record each lecture if possible, or allowed, for later playback.
2. Be sure to copy down everything the teacher puts on the board, including all example problems.
3. If you don't understand a step or how an answer was generated, ask immediately.
4. Mark key points with an asterisk or underline while taking notes.

After the Lecture

5. Recopy each day's notes into a new notebook in ink. If you taped the lecture, listen to it while recopying your notes.
6. Start every homework assignment the day it is due. Don't skip the reading, and work each example problem several times before attempting the assignment.
7. If a step is unclear or you don't understand how to do the assignment, ask for help immediately. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.
8. Search through your textbook or supplemental materials for practical examples of how this type of problem is used. Having concrete use cases helps most of us to translate the abstract to reality.

Before the Exam

9. Review each graded assignment and rework every missed problem five times. This will help you build the speed needed for the exam.
10. Reread your recopied notes, and work every example given in class five times. Usually, class room examples find their way on the test in a different form.
11. Reread all reading material, and work examples in the text each several times until you can do them quickly.
12. Make a list of possible twists or turns that could be added to problems to make them more difficult, and make sure you can work each one of them.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your notes are legible.
• Don't let your mind wander, as everything you hear is important. Your next material will build on the first.
• Be very detailed in your approach, and make sure there is nothing you don't understand.
• Even if you know how to do the problems, reworking them will give you valuable practice and help you to build speed.