To My Students

Suggestions and observations:

Look at each section before the class in which it's introduced; do as many problems as possible as soon as possible after the class in which they are assigned. Do unassigned problems from this and previous sections, also.
Class attendance is your responsibility. You are expected to be in class every day. This is your first obligation. Be there!
The quality of your learning experience in this or any other class will be determined by the quality of your own efforts. What you learn in math classes comes almost entirely from your own experience in doing problems.
Thomas Edison once said, ``Genius is ninety per cent perspiration and ten per cent inspiration."
Four steps to new insight: saturation, incubation, inspiration, and verification.
Developing a genuine interest in a subject comes only after some drudgery. --Jacques Barzun
Good health is a big help to learning: eat and rest well, exercise, and avoid drugs (e.g., tobacco, alchohol, caffeine, etc.) as much as possible.
Consider studying with other students.
Remember, the Math Lab (Conard 100) is for YOU!
Learning is important, because we are changed by what we learn.--James Dobson
Perhaps the mast important function of school, apart from teaching the basic literary and mathematical skills, is to foster self-discipline and self-control. --James Dobson
Students seem to think that make-up tests are harder than the original.
To make up a test, a good excuse must be given to the teacher within one day.
If you do poorly on the first midterm, you must do something different, not just vow to try harder. See the list of hints below.
Old learning makes new learning easier.--James Dobson
Adults are motivatied to learn as they experience needs and interests that learning will satisfy.
One reason we study mathematics is to be able to absorb information more efficiently.
Understanding math = doing math.
Crammed knowledge is soon forgotten, unless it is used continuously on daily assignments.
Sixty per cent of Mansfield employees say that they need more education to do the job that they are presently doing.

Some Hints

If you are concerned about your score on a test, you may want to check and see if you are following practices that lead to success. See if you can answer "yes" to each of the following items, which were adapted from a list in an article in "The Teaching Professor."

I read the assigned section the day before it is discussed in class.
I allow about one hour for reading each assigned chapter, so that I can read it slowly and thoughtfully.
I read to find out ``why?" in addition to ``what?", because I really want to know how to be an effective student.
I attend class regularly, and am rarely or never late.
I sit near the front of the class, so that I feel like a participant, not merely a passive observer.
I take notes on virtually everything that is said or discussed in class.
I ask questions in class until the concept under discussion is clear in my mind. This also helps me feel a part of the class, instead of an observer watching others learn.
I have organized a study group of three or four friends, with whom I review the problems, text, and class discussions two or three days prior to each exam.
I get a good night's sleep (seven or eight or even nine hours) prior to the day of the exam.
I attempt all of the assigned problems before the next class period. I never give up on a problem, and always know how to do all of the assigned problems, and as many of the unassigned problems as possible, before the exam.

If your answer to one or more of the above items is ``no", you might want to fine-tune your study approaches in order to incorporate these methods and strategies. Additional help may be obtained in the Math Lab (Conard 100), or you may stop by my office (Ovalwood 327) for a visit.