HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL MATH STUDENT
In the Classroom:
· Be sure to attend all of each class meeting
· Ask questions in class when you don’t understand what is going on.
Your Math Book:
· Read your textbook slowly and carefully, including the chapters at the beginning of the book.
Every step is important.
· Try to understand each line. Even major ideas are not always repeated.
· Pay special attention to material that is highlighted or boxed in.
· Try examples first. Cover them up and uncover one line at a time to compare your work.
· Keep your lower level math books as references, and consult them if you need to review a topic.
Working outside of the Classroom:
· Ask about the reasonable amount of time to spend on exercises and studying for tests.
It may be more than you expect.
· Do all the assigned homework problems.
· Do the exercises that look easy to you first.
· Break up math study time into small enough units to keep your energy level high – usually
20 – 30 minutes at a time.
· Math skills improve through practice.
· Details are important in mathematics, so be sure to work problems carefully and neatly.
· Try different ways of solving a problem. Many times there is more than one way to
solve a problem. If you’re stuck, be adventurous; experiment
with possibilities.
· In word problems, write down knowns and unknowns. Use symbols and make sketches
to organize the information.
· The process of leaning mathematics is cumulative. Plan to review previously covered
material regularly.
When you need help:
· See your instructor in his/her office.
· Visit the drop-in math tutoring centers on the Meramec campus (SW 211 and CN102),
at South County Education Center, and West County Education Center.
· Check to see if there is a Student Supplement to your textbook on reserve in the library.
· Check out video tapes in the library or in the tutoring centers. These tapes cover
all Algebra topics, and there are often tapes to accompany your textbook.
· Beware of what you say to yourself inside your head. "I can’t do this" really
means, "I can’t do this yet."
· Math is like a ladder. If steps are missing, you will have trouble getting to the top.
Reviews previous material to strengthen the ladder.