HOW TO SUCCEED IN A MATHEMATICS COURSE
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Comment: Much of the following advice would apply to any course that you take.  

Motivation

• Decide that you want to succeed in the course.
• Understand how the course fits into your educational goals.   What is it a prerequisite for?
  Is it transferable?

Attendance

• Attend every class
• Arrive on time
• Stay for the entire class
• If you do miss a class, find out what was covered and what work is to be done.
  Check with the instructor or other students, or check online information.

Participation

• Listen to what the instructor says and the questions asked by other students.
• Look at the instructor and what is written on the board.
• Take notes
• Do not have private conversations going on during lecture.
• Ask the instructor questions when you do not understand.
• Bring required materials, such as a scientific calculator, graphing calculator, ruler etc.

Study

• You may need to spend at least TWO HOURS outside of class for each hour in class.
  (A  4.0 unit class, for example, may require 8 hours or more per week outside the lecture. )
• Read the textbook. Read ahead to topics that will be covered next.
• Form a study group with other students in the class or other students taking
  the same course. Meet regularly.
• Enroll in a mathematics tutoring class where an instructor and/or tutor can answer questions.  (Currently AED 90.91 – Supervised Mathematics Tutoring.  Go to the Academic Support Center, in the lower level of the east side of the Learning Resource Center (library building).
• Do your homework and turn it in on time.  Do additional problems on your own.
• Get help from friends/relatives who have experience in mathematics
• Visit the instructor during office hours or at an appointed time

Homework

• Turn homework in on time.
• Keep up with the homework. Start on assignments when you get them, not
  the evening before they are due.
• Do extra problems in areas that you have trouble with.

Tests

• Show up on time for the tests
• Beforehand, try practice tests in text, in study guide, or practice tests that the instructor gives you.  Study all relevant material in homework, groupwork, textbook and notes.  Do not limit study to the practice tests.
• Bring the required calculator.  (You must have your own calculator, no sharing.)
• Get a good night's sleep before the test.
• Work methodically, don't spend too much time on one problem, do easy problems first.
  
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