the things you can do to pass

any math class

Reading textbook/software Attending every class Doing assigned homework

and certifying mastery Taking good notes and

studying from them

Let’s look at each in more detail…

Text/Software

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

Passingwith A

A very important part of your work this semester

Software has fabulous features for all learning styles—see “Instruct” portion of Hawkes software!

Use before class to prepare for a class day’s activities

Or use after class to further develop what you started learning Text/Software

Passingwith C

Passingwith A

IMPORTANT, but does not automatically lead to success

Missing even 1 day can make you lost the next day, so now you’ve lost a whole week!

If you miss a day, MAKE SURE to complete Text/Software lessons for the sections you missed before coming to the next class

You need to be active & involved during class, or it is like you’re not there anyway!

Text/Software

Passingwith C

Passingwith A

Attendance

The MOST important thing you do for the course

Your software has great features to help you along

Will be difficult if you haven’t reviewed the text/software and/or class notes before beginning

Text/Software

Passingwith C

Passingwith A

Attendance

Homework

Helps you retain what you’re “covering” in a lesson in class or through software

Use color to highlight and distinguish ideas

Review notes before doing homework

Review notes when preparing for a quiz or exam

Try turning your notes into flashcards for a quick way to review!

Text/Software

Passingwith A

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

So far we’ve only talked about what to do in order to squeak by with a C. Now let’s look at what you can do to really excel…

Text/Software

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

Passingwith A

Using exam studying/taking strategies

Teaching others

Text/Software

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

ExamStrategies

Teach OthersPassingwith A

Prepare for an exam by generating practice tests using WebTest 2-3 days before the exam

Complete without any help or notes, and see your grade. Shoot for 80% or better

Make flash cards or a one page “cheat sheet” for review

Avoid cramming, and stop studying at least 20 min before the exam to avoid mental exhaustion

Text/Software

Passingwith A

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

ExamStrategies

Make sure you had a good sleep and a good meal before the exam

Start with a Brain Dump (write down any formulas, etc. that you think you might need) at the top of the exam

Take 5 minutes to look over the whole test without writing anything: things will start coming back to you

Do a second Brain Dump if new ideas came to mind

Do the easiest (in your opinion) problems first

Text/Software

Passingwith A

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

ExamStrategies

Watch your time! When the exam period is half over, assess whether you need to adjust your pace

Don’t panic!! If a problem is going badly, leave it and redo one of the easier problems to regain your confidence.

Use all of your time and review the test when you’re finished

When you leave, forget the test. You did your best and it is time to reward yourself.

Text/Software

Passingwith A

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

ExamStrategies

Join a study group and try to teach others what you know.

When you can explain something to someone else, you increase your own understanding.

Try answering questions during class so your instructor can help you with your explanations.

Try tutoring a Tutor! They can critique your explanations too.

Text/Software

Attendance

Homework

Note TakingPassingwith C

ExamStrategies

Teach OthersPassingwith A

Do these things and you WILL succeed!

No one is “Dumb at Math” Unless you were misplaced, almost

every student is smart enough to pass this level of math.

I’m serious!! The reason students fail or withdraw

from this course is because they fail to “study smart” by finding enough time to do all the components we just covered.

Text/Software

Attendance

Homework

Note Taking

ExamStrategies

Teach Others

Check out the Learning Pyramid here:

National Training LaboratoriesBethel, Maine

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.“

Vincent T. Lombardi

"Everybody's a self-made man; but only the successful ones are ever willing to admit it.“

Anonymous

end