Tips To Be Successful In Mathematics
Your success in a math class depends a great deal on your attendance, completing all assigned work, studying for tests, and your prior math knowledge.
Homework Format. Fold your notebook paper in half creating two columns. In the first column copy the entire question or problem and show all work. In the second column write the solution and then highlight it. After showing work in the first column, skip two lines and go back to the first column to write the next problem or question.
Keep Up With Assignments. Math is a very structured course. If you cannot do problems in one section, this may likely adversely affect you insubsequent sections. Do not procrastinate on your math assignments. You will be more apt to retain the skills when practiced nightly.
Avoid Short Cuts. Do not rush through a problem; show all steps. Showing all steps helps reduce careless errors that crop up from time to time. Do not always look for the quickest way to do a particular problem. Short cuts may work on one assignment, but not on other subsequent problems – so you are actually doing twice the amount of work. Short cuts are developed after practicing the mathematical technique. (Just like athletics – one must practice to improve).
Read the assigned material in the book. Reading the next assignment(s) prior to them being discussed in class, even though you may not understand everything in it, makes you better prepared for the next day’s material and will assist greatly in your retaining the material. (You read Shakespeare and are confused, but come to class and then are enlightened; the same goes for math).
Seek extra assistance or form a study group. Never be embarrassed to ask for additional assistance! Studying with another student helps avoid procrastination, and you can help each other out on different problems. If you teach something to a friend, you remember it better than just doing it. Study Hall is a great place to get together to work!
Study for tests. One excellent way to study for a math test is to do ALL homework assigned – NOT JUST THE REVIEW ASSIGNMENT! Review the homework and quizzes given during that chapter before the test; Find 3 - 4 similar problems and do them checking your answers!
Draw Diagrams on your paper. DO NOT WRITE IN THE BOOKS! Drawings help us understand and visualize the problem.
Check your answers. If any odd problems are assigned, check your answers in the back of the book as you go along – do not simply copy the answers. Many times if you know the correct answer you can correct your work, or find a way to generate that answer. A Lot of learning in math takes place this way.
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Seek extra assistance IMMEDIATELY when needed.
to begin studying or doing the work.
Take responsibility to ensure your success.