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.