Tips for Being Successful in this Course

Attendance is important.

You are responsible for everything covered in class regardless of whether of not it is in the textbook. You are responsible for all assignments regardless of whether or not it was covered in class.

A Good Strategy for Success in this Course

You should read the appropriate sections in the textbook before coming to class. This should make the lesson a little easier to follow.

Bring your textbook, calculator, paper, and pencils to each class. You should take detailed notes in class. You should also work through any calculator examples.

After class, reread the appropriate sections in the textbook and the notes you took from class. This reinforces the lesson.

Next do the examples from the textbook and from the class without looking at the solutions. Check your solutions with the textbook or class notes. Correct any mistakes.

Now work the homework problems. If you have difficulty with the problems, try using the solutions manual. Some textbooks come with digital tutorials. Online help is available for some textbooks. Some students find working with a tutor or other students from the class to be helpful as well. You can also ask questions in class or see me during office hours. Your goal should be to do the problems without looking at the solutions manual, textbook, or your notes. Don’t get behind – learning mathematics usually involves recalling previous skills and concepts.

Studying for a test is different from doing homework. You should put yourself in a test-taking situation when preparing for a test. You should be able to do a representative set of problems, in the length of time allowed for your test, without referring to solutions manuals, textbooks, notes, formulas, etc. If you need a solutions manual or other aid, then you do not know how to solve the problem.

Calculators

For courses at or above the level of College Algebra, some test problems will require the use of a calculator. You are expected to have your own calculator for the test. Sharing calculators is not allowed. You are expected to know how to use your calculator. Do not wait until the day of the test to ask for help if you don’t know how to use your calculator. You are not allowed to store formulas or other information in your calculator.

Taking Quizzes, Tests, and the Final Exam

You should bring pencils and erasers to each class. Do not use pen, unless you can erase any mistakes. Scratch paper is not allowed on quizzes, tests, or final exam. You can not use books, notes, formula cards, or any other type of aid during a quiz, test, or final exam. Read the directions carefully.

Show all your work on the quiz, test, or final exam. Write clearly so that I can follow your solution and find your answer. It is hard to assign partial credit if I can’t follow your reasoning. For most problems the method of solution is more important and will be worth more points than the actual answer.

Make sure your answer is appropriate:

Do not write 10 when the answer is 10 feet.

Do not write 3.14159265359 when the answer is.

Do not write x + 3 when the answer is y = x + 3.

Classroom Behavior and Attitude

I expect students to arrive on time and stay in their seats for the entire class. I can be sympathetic to someone who is occasionally late because of traffic, work, or other personal issues. Sometimes one may need to step out to use the restroom or leave early to go to work. Since there are others in the class, students should be discreet about doing this. It is not a good idea to acquire the reputation as one who makes a habit out of arriving late, leaving early, or just getting up to leave the room and then return. If you are always 5 minutes late, you should leave for class 5 minutes earlier. If this is not possible, you should discuss this with me outside of class.

There will be no talking among students during class. This is inappropriate behavior and will not be tolerated. If you have a question, please raise your hand.

Do not use a cell phone during class. If you bring a cell phone to class, please turn it off before class begins. Do not read or send text messages during class.

It is college policy that eating and drinking in classrooms is not permitted.

Final Thoughts

I realize that many students do not like mathematics. I also know that many students will not use the material from this course on their next job. However, this course is part of a liberal arts education. Many employers value a liberal arts education or else colleges and universities would not exist in the way that they do today.

You can choose to take this course again, or you can choose to learn the material this time.