Math Study Skills

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Math Study Skills

• Succeed in College Mathematics

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Part 1 What Makes Math Different

• Success in Math is one of (if not THE) biggest
  problems facing college students.

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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

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Part 1 What Makes Math Different

• What are the Differences between High School Math
  College Math?

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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

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Part 2 Math Anxiety

• As many as 30 of college students say that they
  struggle with math anxiety

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Part 2 Math Anxiety

• Symptoms of Math Anxiety
• Skipping Class and Homework
• Refusing to take Responsibility
• Freezing on Exams

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Part 2 Math Anxiety

• The Cure for Math Anxiety
• Do Math Everyday
• Study Smart
• QUIZ YOURSELF !!!
• Handout Personal Responsibility

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Part 3 Time Management

• The College Rule
• Students should study for 2 to 3 hours outside
  class for every hour in class.

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Part 3 Time Management

• The College Rule
• For a 3 credit class, that is 6 to 9 hours of
  studying outside class each week!!!

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Part 3 Time Management

• The College Rule
• This rule was created by colleges, not your
  teacher.
• Handout Week Planner

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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

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Part 4 Learning Styles

• The Three Primary Learning Styles
• Visual
• Auditory
• Kinesthetic

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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 youre active?
• Website Take questionnaire on
  www.vark-learn.com

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Part 4 Learning Styles

• Visual Study Tips
• Rewriting information is very important for
  remembering it.
• Congratulations! Today math textbooks are HIGHLY
  visual!

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Part 4 Learning Styles

• Auditory Study Tips
• Find a place where you wont bother anyone and
  study out LOUD!
• Use a recording device to record lectures and
  record yourself saying formulas.
• Listen

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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

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

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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!

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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.

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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 authors major
  points.

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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.

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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 authors
  knowledge your own. The process of QUESTION,
  READ, RECITE is repeated every page or two.

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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.

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Part 7 Memorization

• Youre brain is made of billions of synapses that
  connect to form memories.
• When you dont practice, you loose the
  connections.
• Thats why you should do math every day and as
  soon after class as possible.

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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!

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Part 8 Test-Taking

• Getting Ready
• Doing homework is not enough.
• QUIZ YOURSELF !!!
• Just you and your brain!
• NO notes!
• NO book!

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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)

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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
• Dont second guess, but check your work
• Use all your time