Wednesday 1 May 2013
Math's Top 10 Study Tips
MATHS TOO HARD TO MANAGE????
Math's Top 10 Study Tips
# 1. Try your homework on your own first!
The first step is figuring out where your problems are. No one else can figure that out for you, and if you don't honestly attempt your homework, you'll never know what you can or can't do. Someone else can help you learn the material, but this process is much more efficient if you already have a list of questions or topics that you need help with.
# 2. Learn the way your teacher wants you to do the questions!
Many teachers want you to do things "their way" so it's important to have clear, complete examples in your notes from which to study. We have all had a teacher who refuses to give credit for having the right answer, but the wrong form, or method. Instead of getting into a power struggle, and getting on your teacher's bad side, learn what is expected of you and use that as your model.
# 3. Learn the "vocabulary" of your math class!
Many students struggle on tests because they learn to just look at the "math part" of the question and go on instinct. They do not actually read the question, often because they wouldn't really understand the words in the question anyway. When studying, pay particular attention to the wording of questions. Learn what is of expected of you when the question says, "Simplify" or "Evaluate." Most students don't realize that sometimes half the questions actually tell you exactly what to do, if you just understood what the instructions said!
# 4. Don't think that just doing the assigned homework is always enough practice!
One of the biggest mistakes math students make is thinking that they should be fine because they did the assigned homework. Most students are not adequately prepared for tests if all they've done is keep up with the homework. You may be glad at first if you find yourself with a teacher that only assigns a handful of homework questions per night, but these are exactly the students who wonder why their marks aren't higher! You must continue to do questions -- even the ones your teacher didn't assign -- until you know you understand it. Otherwise, you're just fooling yourself.
# 5. Review questions from many different days' homework at the same time!
It's easy to focus on one kind of question at a time, but you have to learn how to do questions when they appear in any order. One helpful strategy is to write out several different kinds of questions on separate index cards. On the back, work out a full solution. When studying, reach into the pile and pick a card at random. When you can successfully complete any question you pull out, then you know you're ready for a test!
# 6.Be clear about which material is fair game for tests!
Will tests be based on questions from the text book only? Which topics will be covered on the test? If you don't know, ask! Warning, you do run the risk of sounding like one of those annoying students who isn't interested in something that isn't on the test. Unfortunately, though, you have to do whatever it takes to get the best marks possible, and studying the right material is a part of earning the highest marks possible.
# 7.Try to answer questions in class, don't just ask them!
It's good to ask questions, but you should also try to give answers. It's good practice, and teachers will appreciate your efforts.
# 8. Let your teacher know when you have problems!
Often teachers know which topics are hard for students, and they might have extra handouts or resources for just such an occasion! This feedback can also help the teacher see which topics she might need to spend more time on in class, or might need to explain in more detail. If no one speaks up, then the teacher won't know there are problems!
# 9. Go for extra help!
Many teachers are happy to offer extra help, and are happy that you care enough to spend extra time outside of class. Sometimes you might learn even more, such as which are likely test questions, because teachers can let extra information slip (often without realizing it) in extra help sessions. Subconsciously, the teacher may give out helpful information. And, when it comes time to marking your test, your teacher may also be subconsciously "pulling for you" because of your efforts outside of class, and she might give you the benefit of the doubt when marking. Every little bit helps!
# 10. Start working right from Day One!
The first few days of class can seem so easy that you might think that you don't need to get serious just yet. But, this is your opportunity to get into good habits, when they're easy enough to keep! You might even try reading ahead a bit. Make good use of your time in the beginning because you'll be wishing you had it back later in the semester! Of course, if you didn't get off to a good start, decide to get back on track right now! Better late than never.
Math's Top 10 Study Tips
# 1. Try your homework on your own first!
The first step is figuring out where your problems are. No one else can figure that out for you, and if you don't honestly attempt your homework, you'll never know what you can or can't do. Someone else can help you learn the material, but this process is much more efficient if you already have a list of questions or topics that you need help with.
# 2. Learn the way your teacher wants you to do the questions!
Many teachers want you to do things "their way" so it's important to have clear, complete examples in your notes from which to study. We have all had a teacher who refuses to give credit for having the right answer, but the wrong form, or method. Instead of getting into a power struggle, and getting on your teacher's bad side, learn what is expected of you and use that as your model.
# 3. Learn the "vocabulary" of your math class!
Many students struggle on tests because they learn to just look at the "math part" of the question and go on instinct. They do not actually read the question, often because they wouldn't really understand the words in the question anyway. When studying, pay particular attention to the wording of questions. Learn what is of expected of you when the question says, "Simplify" or "Evaluate." Most students don't realize that sometimes half the questions actually tell you exactly what to do, if you just understood what the instructions said!
# 4. Don't think that just doing the assigned homework is always enough practice!
One of the biggest mistakes math students make is thinking that they should be fine because they did the assigned homework. Most students are not adequately prepared for tests if all they've done is keep up with the homework. You may be glad at first if you find yourself with a teacher that only assigns a handful of homework questions per night, but these are exactly the students who wonder why their marks aren't higher! You must continue to do questions -- even the ones your teacher didn't assign -- until you know you understand it. Otherwise, you're just fooling yourself.
# 5. Review questions from many different days' homework at the same time!
It's easy to focus on one kind of question at a time, but you have to learn how to do questions when they appear in any order. One helpful strategy is to write out several different kinds of questions on separate index cards. On the back, work out a full solution. When studying, reach into the pile and pick a card at random. When you can successfully complete any question you pull out, then you know you're ready for a test!
# 6.Be clear about which material is fair game for tests!
Will tests be based on questions from the text book only? Which topics will be covered on the test? If you don't know, ask! Warning, you do run the risk of sounding like one of those annoying students who isn't interested in something that isn't on the test. Unfortunately, though, you have to do whatever it takes to get the best marks possible, and studying the right material is a part of earning the highest marks possible.
# 7.Try to answer questions in class, don't just ask them!
It's good to ask questions, but you should also try to give answers. It's good practice, and teachers will appreciate your efforts.
# 8. Let your teacher know when you have problems!
Often teachers know which topics are hard for students, and they might have extra handouts or resources for just such an occasion! This feedback can also help the teacher see which topics she might need to spend more time on in class, or might need to explain in more detail. If no one speaks up, then the teacher won't know there are problems!
# 9. Go for extra help!
Many teachers are happy to offer extra help, and are happy that you care enough to spend extra time outside of class. Sometimes you might learn even more, such as which are likely test questions, because teachers can let extra information slip (often without realizing it) in extra help sessions. Subconsciously, the teacher may give out helpful information. And, when it comes time to marking your test, your teacher may also be subconsciously "pulling for you" because of your efforts outside of class, and she might give you the benefit of the doubt when marking. Every little bit helps!
# 10. Start working right from Day One!
The first few days of class can seem so easy that you might think that you don't need to get serious just yet. But, this is your opportunity to get into good habits, when they're easy enough to keep! You might even try reading ahead a bit. Make good use of your time in the beginning because you'll be wishing you had it back later in the semester! Of course, if you didn't get off to a good start, decide to get back on track right now! Better late than never.
ღKey to Ace Maths with Flying Colours ღ
- Be As Well As You Can Be Get a good night's sleep the night before you take a test. For 24 hours before the test, avoid eating foods that disagree with you.
- 2Record notes on a digital voice recorder and in your free time, listen to them like you would an audio book.
- 3Read the Questions Carefully Many answers are missed because the question was not completely read or was misread. "NOT" is the most commonly misread word. When answering an essay question, reread the question several times to make sure you are staying on-topic.
- 4Read each question in order, answering the ones that you know easily in your first reading, When you get to the end of the test, pause, relax, stretch, close your eyes and clear your mind for a minute or two; then begin the test again. Begin your "second sweep". Reread the questions that you were not able to answer the first time. After you have answered all questions, if you have time, you can skim all the questions and answers one last time. Don't change an answer unless you are absolutely certain. Most changed answers are not as good as the original ones.
- 5Scratch Paper Unless you are specifically told not to, you can assume that it is acceptable to write on your test paper. To help yourself focus on the task at hand, you may:
- Circle the numbers of the questions that are difficult for you to answer so that you can identify them for your "second sweep".
- Underline key words that will help you answer the question.
- Write down pieces of information that you are sure you will need but are afraid of forgetting during the test.
- Circle the numbers of the questions that are difficult for you to answer so that you can identify them for your "second sweep".
- 6If you are told that you should not be writing on the test, ask for a piece of scratch paper, and use that instead.
- 7When You Don't Know Guess The one exception to this is when you will be penalized for a wrong answer. For most tests, an unanswered question and an incorrectly answered question are scored the same. If they are scored the same and you leave the answer blank, you have no chance of being right at all; but if you guess you at least have a chance.
- 8True - False
- If ANY part of a true - false question is false, select "false."
- Watch for words like "always" and "never", they most likely indicate a false answer. Do your best to think of exceptions to "always" and "never".
- If ANY part of a true - false question is false, select "false."
- 9Multiple Choice Make sure to note whether or not there may be multiple answers. Words like "select all that apply" suggest there may be more than one answer.
- 10State Specific Memory State-specific memory is a term used in psychology that means you remember something best when you are in the same state of mind as when you were exposed to it. For optimum results in testing, try to be in the same mental state when you study as you will be when you are tested. Don't drink lots of coffee to take the test if you didn't do so when you were studying
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