Study Tips
The Road to Success—Some Tips
- If you need extra help in this class (or any other class!), take advantage of the instructor’s office hours and the help center.
- Many students benefit greatly by being involved in a study group consisting of other members of this class...exchange phone numbers A.S.A.P. with a few people in this class.
- Be intellectually active in class: participate actively in class discussions and ask questions.
- Read the material and attempt homework assignments before the material is covered in class. Jot down any questions you have on the material and be sure to get clarifications during class time, with your study group, and/or during office hours.
- Review your class notes and the relevant material in your textbook immediately after class or as soon as possible.
- Study daily: Develop a study plan in which you will study about 2 hours daily 7 days a week. Just as one cannot train for a marathon by training sporadically for several hours at a time, one can’t study sporadically for long periods of time and expect to learn with retention. Regular study sessions of one-hour duration or less are more effective than massive cram sessions.
- Isolate yourself from distractions while studying.
- Study efficiently: Don’t waste too much time on a tough problem or concept. Go on to the next problem and come back to the real stumpers later. Get help as needed from your fellow classmates and from your instructor. Often it’s only a few small details that may keep you from understanding something— what seems like a major stumbling block might in reality be something minor!
- Keep a positive attitude, work hard, and have confidence in yourself!