 Men are better at mathematics than women. False!  There is always a best way to do a mathematics problem. False!  It’s always important to get the answer exactly right. False!  Mathematicians do problems quickly in their heads. False!  Many people can’t do mathematics because they don’t have a “math mind”. False!  More than 33% of the students enrolled in an Algebra course drop or fail. True!

 Go to class!

 Go to class everyday! LinkLink  Be attentive and free from distraction Link (near the instructor, phone away). Link  Take notes in outline form (space to supplement later, carefully copy examples).  Review notes weekly.

 Plan for entire semester.  Make a weekly schedule.  Follow a schedule, adjust if necessary.  Study for an hour at a time.  Study for your most difficult subjects at a time of day when you are most alert.  Don’t study when you are hungry or tired.  Maintain discipline.

 Free from Distractions  Tutor Availability (Math Learning Center, Kent Library, Towers Learning Lab)  Adequate Lighting  Comfortable  Temperature

 Always have a writing tool in hand.  Skim section of text  Make use of chapter and section summaries.  Take notes; fill in notes from brief lecture.  Follow examples.  Look at example problem (copy problem on another piece of paper, try to work it yourself)  Read text before class to preview material.

 Review and rewrite your lecture notes.  Keep examples in front of you.  Check answers and rework incorrect items  Highlight items to ask instructor to clarify.  Study and learn responsibly.  Read next day’s sections as preview.

 Should only involve reviewing material.  Make a list of topics covered.  Prepare a review sheet for each topic including procedures, formulas, definitions.  Cover the sheet and recite.  Think of possible test questions.  Work Chapter Review (then work Chapter Test treating it like a test)  Start at least two days before exam.  Attend review sessions.

 If you are well prepared, you will feel confident and often won’t “go blank”.  Be sure you are well rested and not hungry  Arrive on time to take the test with pencils, calculator, etc.  Write memorized formulas on the test as soon as you arrive.  Survey the test and read directions carefully.  Build confidence, answer easy items first, then attempt more difficult items  Show your work, even on items you are unsure of.  Check for obvious mistakes.

 Test anxiety (panic, loss of control, nervousness, helplessness, distress) is caused by one or more factors(lack of self- confidence, pressure to perform to please family or peers, memories of previous failures, insufficient preparation, fear of failure, perfectionism, and negative attitudes caused by bad previous experiences).  Test Anxiety is not abnormal but is a learned behavior that can be controlled or eliminated.

 Prepare for the test to avoid anxiety!  Put down your pencil, close your eyes, take deep breaths. Stretch!  Try to visualize where the information was in your text, notes, homework, review sheet  Go to another question and come back to problem  Go over a problem you just completed and check it.  Use positive self-talk.  Bring peppermint candy!

 Find a responsible, reliable study partner.  Be sure to ask questions in class.  Make an appointment to speak to instructor.  Math Learning Center, Johnson Hall 112 (one tutor available to share).  Tutorial Services, University Center 302 (dedicated tutor).  View Math Videos that go with textbook  Get a tutor but learn to be self-reliant learner.

 Best wishes for a successful mathematics course!