- Anytime you get help with a problem go back 24 hours later and do that problem again on your own. I know that there are many great resources out there including the MLC, LRC, private tutors, instructor office hours, etc. but it is important that when you receive help on a problem that you make sure that you really understand how it’s done and can replicate the process on your own. I have certainly been in my fair share of math classes and have found that when someone is showing me how to do a problem I can follow along but then when I try to do a similar problem myself I realize I don’t fully understand what is going on. This is why I recommend revisiting problems you get help on. This way you can identify concepts you are still not understanding fully and can fix them in real time during the semester instead of when you are studying for an exam/final.
- Use the practice exams to their fullest. Practice exams are great because they can show you what is a reasonable amount of material that can be tested in 50 minutes. They are not however a complete study guide. So to get the most out of them when you take a practice exam you should go to an empty classroom or ideally the MLC session , turn off your cell phone and all electronics, and take it as if it were the actual exam. Then afterwards you should try to grade yourself. When you grade your exam it is important to be mean to yourself and not to give you the benefit of the doubt like “ooh I know what I meant there”. If it’s not written on the paper, don’t give yourself credit. This is more realistic to how the graders have to operate and can get you into the right mindset for writing enough to receive partial credit. Then identify which concepts you got wrong on the practice exam and the sections that they came from. This will help you focus your studying. You should then study these sections and try a few more problems from WeBWorK and the book.
- Start studying early for exams. Try to start studying at least a week before the exam. Resist the urge to cram. Make a schedule for yourself and put it in your calendar. Do a bit each night (I recommend 30-60 minutes each night on top of any standard homework, etc.). Something like:
- Friday: Identify a section you found the somewhat confusing. Reread the texbtook, reread class notes and do 3-5 suggested book problems and 2-4 WeBWorK problems from that section.
- Saturday: Go over all your old labs, and practice quizzes. Make sure you understand how to do all the problems. If the instructors liked them once and thought they were good for a timed assessment its very possible they will like them (or some variation of them) again for the exam!
- Sunday: Identify a section you found the somewhat confusing. Reread the text, reread class notes and do 3-5 suggested book problems and 2-4 WeBWorK problems from that section. (Bonus: grade and time yourself to see how you do)
- Monday: Try to make your own practice exam. Identify which are the key topics and choose problems to put on your exam. (This is a great mindset to be in because it is exactly what the exam writers are doing!)
- Tuesday: Identify a section you found the somewhat confusing. Reread the textbook, reread class notes and do 3-5 suggested book problems and 2-4 WeBWorK problems from that section. (Bonus: grade and time yourself to see how you do)
- Wednesday: Go to the MLC practice exam. Try to grade your exam as well and identify any topics you still need help on.
- Thursday: Go to the MLC and ask any last minute questions. Bonus: Try to help other people on a question or two. Teaching someone else a topic really helps solidify the concept in your mind.