Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, both class and SPT session attendance (if you are enrolled in an SPT-supported section) are absolutely mandatory. It is extremely rare for a student who is frequently absent to do well in their calculus class.

MyOpenMath is a FREE online homework platform. If this is your first time using MyOpenMath, click on this LINK to register as a new student. Follow the directions shown HERE to set up your account.

If you already have a MyOpenMath account, log in as usual. Under the heading "Courses you're taking" click the button that says "Enroll in a New Class". You can then enter the Course ID and Enrollment Key that your instructor has given you.

You will be given a number of LatePasses automatically at the beginning of the semester. Each of these will extend a particular homework assignment by 24 hours, at most. This means that if a homework assignment is due Monday night, it can only be extended until Tuesday night. It is your responsibility to manage the use of your LatePasses.

Additional extensions will only be considered under special circumstances (for example, in the case of a serious, extended illness). Please communicate with your instructor as soon as possible if you will be absent from class and/or unable to complete your coursework.

Reflect on the following questions:

• Are you attending every class and SPT session? Coming to class ready to learn and participate is the first step toward success in your calculus class.

• Are you working on the homework problems throughout the week? It will be easier to learn and absorb information if you work on math consistently throughout the week, rather than cramming for hours the night before a quiz or test. Try to set aside 30-60 minutes every day to work on math problems. Notice how often 'solving problems' was mentioned in the advice from calculus students who achieved big improvements in their test scores.

• Are you asking for help when needed? Instead of struggling with the same problem or concept for hours, please ask for help. There are many resources available to help you succeed in your calculus class. In particular, your instructor holds 'Office Hours' every week (times when you can drop in to ask questions without an appointment). Here are some  additional resources. 

• Are you able to solve homework and review problems independently? It's good to ask for help and work on problems with your classmates, but during in-class quizzes and tests you will need to be able solve problems on your own. If you aren't able to solve a particular type of problem on your own confidently (without getting help or referring to your notes), then you need to practice more with that problem type.

For advice that is specific to you and your situation, please speak with your instructor as soon as possible if you are struggling. We want you to be successful and can help you make a plan and/or direct you to appropriate resources.

First, thank you for attending office hours! Any calculus instructor will be very happy to help you. Here are some suggestions to get the conversation started:

• Find an example covered in class  which you understood some of but did not understand completely. Ask your instructor if you can work through the problem together.

• Bring a homework or review problem that you've already worked on, but did not get the correct answer. Ask your instructor to check your work to identify any mistakes.

• Bring a homework or review problem which you have worked out and already obtained the correct answer. Ask your instructor if you can present your solution, either on paper or at the board, to make sure that your thought process is correct and that you are showing all the necessary steps to receive full credit if this problem type were asked on an exam. 

• Ask for general advice about how to study math.

Office hours are times when an instructor will be in their office and able to answer your questions about the course material. No appointment is needed to attend an instructor's office hours.

If your instructor's office hours don't work with your schedule, feel free to email your instructor and ask if you can schedule a different time to meet. Alternatively, you can look on the course syllabus to see the names, office locations and office hours of all the instructors teaching calculus this semester. Feel free to drop by any calculus instructor's office hours to ask your questions. We are all very happy to help!

All the calculus instructors' names, office numbers and office hours are listed in the course syllabus. The syllabus is posted on your course section's Blackboard Learn page, as well as on the MyOpenMath homework site. Note that you are welcome to attend the office hours of any instructor teaching calculus this semester.