- Ask your tutor or teacher if you could explain to them what you have just learned and if you could demonstrate your knowledge by doing a new problem.
- Ask questions. Always remember you have the right to ask questions before, during and after class. Never avoid asking a question out of fear of looking stupid. Don't allow a question to go unanswered. Get help fast.
- Attend all classes and take full class notes. Never miss a class and usually take down at least 64% of what is discussed in class. Failing students write half as much and often miss class. Remember, missing even one class can put you behind in the course by at least 2 classes.
- Audit a math course first. You'll get most from the course if you take notes, do your homework, ask the teacher questions, study for it and take all the tests. You'll have no pressure of being grades.
- Before registering for a math course, if possible, research which type of instructor would be best for you. Ask other students the teaching style of the instructor. Visit prospective teachers during their office hours and ask about their teaching styles and if you could sit in one session of their classes. Select one who i) explains concepts clearly, ii) welcomes questions, iii) willingly helps students outside of class, iv) gives fair tests and v) provides helpful handouts to complement your math class notes.
- Consider attending more than one section of the course. By hearing a difficult concept explained a second time you may understand it much better.
- Create questions for yourself when you study and then answer them. Be persistent.
- Dates each day's class notes and work. Write the topic or chapter heading on top of the page. Leave about a 2" margin on the left side of the page for comments. Use only one side of a page, leaving the back for additional examples, notes and clarifications.
- Describe in your own words the similarities and differences between the different types of problems you are learning. If possible, perform this math operation aloud with another person. By understanding the structure of each type of problem you may be able to select the appropriate method or formula for solving it.
- Homework is best finished the same day it is assigned. This will help reinforce what you have just learned. Estimate the right answers before you work the problems out. Substitute your answers back into the problem. Redo the problem in a different way to see if your answer still matches.
- Identify the different types of problem you are learning. Note the elements of each. By identifying the different types of problems you are more likely to be able to isolate difficult areas in which you need more practice or help.
- Know and understand your math terminology. This is one of the keys to success in any field. Use 3" x 5" index review cards to study math's own unique vocabulary. Put the term on one side of the index card and the definition on the other side. Carry these cards with you everywhere and review them at odd moments throughout the day.
- Label both your notes and your textbook using categories similar to: 1) definition of ..., 2) theorem ..., 3) example or discussion of examples, 4) description of a procedure for solving a problem type, 5) a proof of a theorem or a derivation of a formula, 6) a list of procedure steps, and 7) formulas or equations.
- Make it a practice to read over the topic or chapter before going to class. This will give you a much better understanding of what is being discussed in class and as a result you'll learn more from lecture.
- Memorizing a math formula (or rule, proof, or procedure) is not wise, until you've attempted to understand it first. This understanding will help you recreate a formula (or procedure, etc.) if your recall falters in any way. Make sure you can illustrate the definitions, theorems and the use of the symbols. You may want to use a series of 3" x 5" index cards to help you memorize some formulas for convenience and quick recall.
- Organize your notes into one large spiral or loose-leaf notebook devoted just for math. Use the first 1/2 for class notes and the second 1/2 for homework. Take a complete set of class notes and add any helpful clarifications to your notes that you hear in class. Mentally follow all explanations and try to understand the concepts and principles. Then write down the main points, steps in explanations, definitions, examples, solutions or proofs.
- Review immediately after class and again 6 hours later. Fill in all the missing words or incomplete explanations. Recite important concepts in your own words. Most math information is lost within the first 20 to 60 minutes after learning. However, if you review immediately after class and again within the same day, and then do weekly and monthly reviews, the information you have learned somehow tends to remain in long-term memory.
- Saying and doing. We tend to remember about 10% of what we read, around 20% of what we see, but approximately 90% of what we say and do.
- When you feel 'lost', ask your teacher to explain the first step that you did not understand; then question any later steps that you still do not follow. When you can't see the overall picture of what the teacher is doing, ask questions. See your instructor during office hours. Notice when you are beginning to get into trouble and seek assistance immediately.
- Read and study all your textbook explanations of each type of problem. Whenever possible, use additional textbooks and study guides as resources. Each book could discuss your topic differently and offer different examples. This is an excellent way to clarify difficult concepts and to give you more practice problems.
- Stay current. Do not allow yourself to fall behind or the entire course will become an effort and a struggle for you.
- Successful students study math 2 hours per day at least 5 days a week. In addition, they work out 10 new problems and 5 reviews problems during each study session. If math is your most difficult subject, make sure to study it before all other subjects. Do not leave it until the end. You must study math when you're most alert and fresh. It will go better for you and you'll recall more. It's wise to take a 7 minute study break every 40 minutes.
- Work with a review or course outline book that applies to your math course. They provide many worked-out examples and summary collections of problems and answers which are useful for preparing for tests. Always work out a problem first before reading how the author solved it.
- Work out numerous sample problems. Practice, practice, practice. Do assigned problems and more. Make up your own problems. Get sample problems from other books. Work with a classmate and explain out loud what you are learning and how to solve problems. Remember the more you "say and do" the more you will be able to recall what you're learning.
- Write up summary sheets of math terminology and formulas and review them often.
Clifford Morris
July 14, 2002