Success in your Mathematics class
Strategies for success
- Attend class every day.
- Visit your instructor’s office hours or ask for an appointment.
- Form a study group with your classmates and meet regularly.
- Study every day. A good rule of thumb is three hours of studying outside of class for every hour you spend in class.
- Review your textbook or your notes before and after every class meeting.
- Do not leave homework until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time.
- Practice solving extra problems. The textbook and Week in Review problems are good sources.
- Be sure you are prepared to present full solutions to problems, not just answers.
- Get help if you do not understand concepts presented in class.
Instructor Expectations of Students
Here are some behaviors that instructors expect of good students:
- Attend class every day.
- Arrive prepared to learn.
- Read the course syllabus thoroughly and keep it handy for the entire semester.
- Check your email or the instructor’s webpage every day. Most faculty email students or post important course information online.
- When you email your instructor, be sure to use proper English. Include your full name and course section to expedite a response.
- Be respectful of the learning environment. Enter or leave quietly if you must step out. Abide by the class policy for cell phone usage.
- Ask questions in class. If you have a question, then it is likely that one of your classmates has the same question.
Student Expectations of Instructors
Here are some qualities that students can expect of their instructors:
- Your instructors care about your learning.
- They welcome your questions and want you to visit office hours.
- They are aware of common student difficulties and have designed lectures or class activities to help you avoid errors and overcome challenges.
- They have carefully selected homework problem sets to give you practice on the most important concepts.
- They will keep you informed of any changes to the syllabus or schedule.
The Academic Success Center is a valuable resource for you to use towards a successful completion of your classes.