Math Study Skills

1. Math Study Skills Succeed in College Mathematics

2. Part 1: What Makes Math Different Success in Math is one of (if not THE) biggest problems facing college students.

3. Part 1: What Makes Math Different • Why is Math so Difficult ?!?! • Math is a Foreign Language • Math is Skill-Based • Your Math Background • Attitudes about Math

4. Part 1: What Makes Math Different • What are the Differences between High School Math & College Math?

5. Part 1: What Makes Math Different • What do you do that you know works and what do you do that you KNOW needs improvement? • Handout – Math Background List • 5 Minute Moment – Snowball 1

6. Part 2: Math Anxiety • As many as 30% of college students say that they struggle with math anxiety

7. Part 2: Math Anxiety • Symptoms of Math Anxiety • Skipping Class and Homework • Refusing to take Responsibility • Freezing on Exams

8. Part 2: Math Anxiety • The Cure for Math Anxiety • Do Math Everyday • Study Smart • QUIZ YOURSELF !!! • Handout – Personal Responsibility

9. Part 3 – Time Management The College Rule: Students should study for 2 to 3 hours outside class for every hour in class.

10. Part 3: Time Management The College Rule For a 3 credit class, that is 6 to 9 hours of studying outside class each week!!!

11. Part 3: Time Management The College Rule This rule was created by colleges, not your teacher. Handout – Week Planner

12. Part 3: Time Management • How to deal with The College Rule: • Prioritize you Life (Weekly Planner) • Use a Day Planner (handout) • DISCIPLINE! Reward Yourself – Discipline is not the art of avoiding gratification; Discipline is not the art of delaying gratification. • Set Goals

13. Part 4: Learning Styles • The Three Primary Learning Styles: • Visual • Auditory • Kinesthetic

14. Part 4: Learning Styles • Which learning style is best for you? • Visual – do you prefer looking at a solution on the board rather than listening to an explanation about it? • Auditory – do you get more from listening to lecture than from writing down information? • Kinesthetic – do you only understand and connect when you’re active? • Website: Take questionnaire onwww.vark-learn.com

15. Part 4: Learning Styles • Visual Study Tips • Rewriting information is very important for remembering it. • Congratulations! Today math textbooks are HIGHLY visual!

16. Part 4: Learning Styles • Auditory Study Tips: • Find a place where you won’t bother anyone and study out LOUD! • Use a recording device to record lectures and record yourself saying formulas. • Listen

17. Part 4: Learning Styles • Kinesthetic Study Tips: • You have to get active. Move. Pace. Actually walk out a formula • Buy magic markers and make note cards. It works wonders. • Make your own study games or guides

18. Part 5: Note-Taking The Column System: Samples General Notes and Examples Vocabulary And Examples Explanations & General Notes Vocabulary ONLY Examples ONLY Vocabulary ONLY General Notes

19. Part 5: Note-Taking • The Column System KEY • DO NOT CROSS – CONTAMINATE !!! • Begin every study session by reworking and reviewing your notes • The more you write, the less you listen • Require students to produce their own column system

20. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework Stop being confused by your textbook! Try the SQRRR method for each section • Survey • Question • Read • Recite • Review Be an ACTIVE reader!

21. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework • S is for survey: look over the entire chapter to get the general idea of what the author wants to tell you. See the importance of the material.

22. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework • Q is for question: ask yourself questions about each section before you read it. Arouse your curiosity. Want to know the author’s major points.

23. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework • R is for read: read with intention of answering the question and learning what the author has to say. Absorb all you can.

24. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework • R is for recite: stop after reading a page or two and recite (repeat in your own words) what you have just learned. Make the author’s knowledge your own. The process of QUESTION, READ, RECITE is repeated every page or two.

25. Part 6: Reading a Textbook and Doing Homework • R is for review: after finishing the chapter, go back and review what you have read. Review again in a few days and right before an exam.

26. Part 7: Memorization • You’re brain is made of billions of synapses that connect to form memories. • When you don’t practice, you loose the connections. • That’s why you should do math every day and as soon after class as possible.

27. Part 7: Memorization NOTE CARDS … are great for memorizing formulas, concepts, and how to do problems. • Each card should only have one piece of information. • Make sure the cards are made so that you can quiz yourself. • Build Note Cards for each exam!

28. Part 8: Test-Taking Getting Ready • Doing homework is not enough. • QUIZ YOURSELF !!! • Just you and your brain! • NO notes! • NO book!

29. Part 8: Test-Taking Getting Ready • Make a checklist of topics covered - handout. • Make up your own exam – take it at a later time. See handout. • 5 minute Quick Checks (Snowballs 3-6)

30. Part 8: Test-Taking During the Test • Do a Brain Dump – handout • Read through the whole test before you try any problems • Do the easiest problems first • Don’t second guess, but check your work • Use all your time