Effective Study Skills for Math

1. Effective Study Skills for Math

2. Homework: Why? • Fundamentals • Fundamentals • Fundamentals

3. Homework: Before you start • Make sure you have the correct assignment • Ask questions to clarify the assignment if needed • Look over notes and book to refresh what you are doing • What vocabulary words are important? • Any rules that apply to the problems you are about to practice?

4. Homework: Just do it! • Follow directions • Work neatly • Show work • Make sure you did the simple math (add, subtract, multiply, divide) correctly • Do it soon enough after class that you don’t forget • Don’t stop because you are stuck-try to figure it out and then seek help from teacher or tutor

5. Learn from your errors • Analyze the error • Was it a simple math error or process error? • Keep track of simple errors and process errors • Practice the simple math errors • Ask for help

6. Class: The forgotten study tool • Review what you discussed in the previous class • Be prepared: book, notebook, pencil, homework • Be engaged • Ask questions • Listen to your classmates’ questions • Take part in class discussion

7. Textbooks: Can you really read a math book? • Use the index and glossary when you have forgotten a term or process • Analyze the examples • If you can’t answer the problem, look back at the written explanation • Does your book have study tips or helps at the back or beginning of each chapter? • Does your book have a companion website?

8. Tests: Reviewing • Cramming will NOT work. Start ahead of time • Go through examples from notes • Make a list of formulas and practice knowing them if you need them for the test • Use the chapter review • Think like a teacher. How would you make the test? • Practice, Practice, Practice • Get a good night’s sleep • Don’t worry

9. Test Time • Be confident • Don’t worry • Have what you need • Follow directions • Look over the entire test quickly. If the order doesn’t matter, do the ones you feel best about first. • Skip and return to difficult problems • Show your work-neatly • Check for your frequent errors • Breathe

10. What’s your learning style? • VARK • Multiple Intelligences • Google these to find your learning style

11. Visual Learners • Learn best through seeing • You like charts, diagrams, pictures… • Study advice: • Use a white or chalk board • Highlight in book and notes • Look for video tutorials online • Try the study rooms in the library to have some peace and quiet • Visualize what you are doing.

12. Auditory Learner • Learn best through hearing • Lectures and discussions are helpful • Study tips: • Create a study group or work with a tutor so you can go through problems vocally with someone else • Teach somebody else • Read through notes and test out loud • Imagine having a conversation with your teach about the problem during the test

13. Kinesthetic Learners • Learn from hands-on and real world • Study tips: • Think sprints-short and focused • Moving around may be helpful-writing on a board, carrying flash cards with formulas • Pay attention to your attention span. • Work on increasing your attention span • Place yourself in the room where you will have the least distractions

14. Resources • http://www.math.ohio-state.edu/students/how_to_study.html • http://salsa.missioncollege.org/mss/stories/storyReader$38