Table of Contents

Introduction ………………………………………………2

Learning Styles Inventory………………………………...4

Math Study Skills Inventory…………………………...…6

Unit 1Getting Organized-Managing Your Time..…….8

Unit 2Becoming an Active Learner………….……...11
Unit 3Studying Math……………………………...…14

Unit 4Taking Notes………………………………….17

Unit 5Solving Problems……………………………..21

Unit 6Reading Mathematics……….………………...24

Unit 7Listening………………….…………….……..28

Unit 8Coping with Stress……………………….…....31

Unit 9Taking a Math Test……………………..……..34

Unit 10Taking Math 1100 or 1103………………...….39

Introduction

What is Study?

Studying means learning. Learning often involves listening, reading, watching, and writing. It always involves thinking. You study more than realize. You can study sports by watching a game or study clothes by shopping. You can also study other people!

What are Study Skills?

Study skills are ways or methods of learning. These skills can help you organize your learning so that you can learn better. Often study skills can save you time. When you learn math study skills, you find out how to learn math more effectively. You’ll become an independent learner and problem solver. An independent learner knows which questions to ask and how to find the answers to those questions.

How is Math Different from Other Subjects?

  • Math requires different study processes. In other courses, you learn and understand the material, but you seldom have to actually apply it. You have to do the problems.
  • Math is a linear learning process. What is used one day is used the next, and so forth. (In history you can learn chapter 2 and not 3 and do ok on chapter 4. In math, you must understand the material in chapter 1 before you go on to chapter 2.)
  • Math is much like a foreign language. It must be practiced every day, and often the vocabulary is unfamiliar.
  • Math in the university is different from math in high school. Instead of going to class everyday, in college you go only two or three times a week. What took a year to learn in high school is now covered in only fifteen weeks.

Mathematics: How do I Learn It?

  • Learning math is exactly like learning a sport. Regular practice.
  • Math has nothing to do with smarts and everything to do with practice.
  • Do the homework, even if you don’t have to turn it in.
  • Read your math book very carefully. Don’t try speed-reading or skimming.
  • Stop at a new concept. Write it down. Puzzle it out.
  • Don’t be surprised if you don’t get a new concept after two or three readings. Hey, it’s new!
  • Schedule time to look over your class notes every day.
  • Make notes on any new concepts and formulas you just learned.
  • Write down any concepts your instructor puts on the board. You’ll need to know these for the test!
  • If your instructor gives you problems to solve, look back over your notes.
  • Ask yourself which concepts, rules, or formulas were covered in class? Will any of them help solve this problem?
  • Make up your own practice test from your notes.
  • If you get lost, don’t wait. Immediately ask your instructor for help!
  • Put together a study buddy group.
  • Get together once a week for a math-pizza party. Do the problems together and then reward yourself with pizza!
  • Use an empty classroom if possible.

What is your personal learning style?

A learning style is the way in which one processes new information. Knowing your learning style can help you make choices in the way you focus on and study new material. Below are fifteen statements that will help you assess your learning style. After reading each statement, rate your response to the statement using the scale below. There are no right or wrong answers.

3 = Often applies2 = Sometimes applies1 = Never or almost never applies

_____1. I remember information better if I write it down or draw a picture of it.

_____2. I remember things better when I hear them instead of just reading or seeing them.

_____3. When I receive something that has to be assembled, I just start doing it. I don’t read the directions.

_____4. If I am taking a test, I can “see” the page of text or lecture notes where the answer is located.

_____5. I would rather the professor explain a graph, chart, or diagram to me instead of just showing it to me.

_____6. When learning new things, I want to “do it” rather than hear about it.

_____7. I would rather the instructor write the information on the board or overhead instead of just lecturing.

_____8. I would rather listen to a book on tape than read it.

_____9. I enjoy making things, putting things together, and working with my hands.

_____10. I am able to conceptualize quickly and visualize information.

_____11. I learn best by hearing words.

_____12. I have been called hyperactive by my parents, spouse, partner, or professor.

_____13. I have no trouble reading maps, charts, or diagrams.

_____14. I can usually pick up on small sounds like bells, crickets, frogs, or distant sounds like train whistles.

_____15. I use my hands and gesture a lot when I speak to others.

Write your score for each statement beside the appropriate statement number below. Then add the scores in each column to get a total score for that column.

#1. _____#2. _____#3. _____

#4. _____#5. _____#6. _____

#7. _____#8. _____#9. _____

#10._____#11._____#12._____

#13._____#14._____#15._____

Total:

Visual

Auditory

Tactile

The largest total of the three columns indicates your dominant learning style.

Visual learners learn by seeing. If this is your dominant learning style then you should focus on study strategies that involve seeing. Draw lots of diagrams, arrows, and pictures in your notes to help you see what is happening. Reading your notes, study sheets, and text repeatedly will be an important strategy.

Auditory learners learn best by hearing. If this is your dominant learning style then you should use study strategies that involve hearing. Bring a tape recorder to class to record the discussion. When you study your notes, play back the tape. Also, when you learn rules, say the rule over and over. As you work problems, say the rule before you do the problem. You may also find the videotapes beneficial in that you can hear explanations of problems taken from the text.

Tactile learners learn best by touching or doing. If this is your dominant learning style, you should use study strategies that involve doing. Doing lots of practice problems will be important. Make use of the margin exercises. Writing our your study sheets and doing your practice tests repeatedly will be important strategies for you.

Rate your achievement of the following statements by placing a 3 for almost always, 2 for sometimes, and 1 for almost never. Put a 0 is you have never even thought about doing what is in the statement before.

Selecting a math class:

1)_____I schedule my math class at a time when I am mentally sharp.

2)_____When I register for a math class, I choose the best instructor for me.

3)_____If I have a choice, I select a math class that meets three or four days a week instead of one or two.

4)_____I schedule the next math class as soon as possible after I have completed the current course.

5)_____I am sure that I have signed up for the correct level math course.

Time and place for studying math:

6)_____I study math every day.

7)_____I try to get my math homework immediately after math class.

8)_____I have a specific time to study math.

9)_____I have a specific place with few distractions to study math.

10)_____I get my math homework in the lab where I can get help.

11)_____I am careful to keep up to date with math homework.

12)_____I study math at least 8 to 10 hours a week.

Study strategies for math class

13)_____I read my textbook before I come to class.

14)_____If I have trouble understanding the text, I find an alternate text.

15)_____I take notes in math class.

16)_____I am careful to copy all the steps of math problems in my notes.

17)_____I ask questions when I am confused.

18)_____I go to the instructor or lab when I am confused.

19)_____I try to determine exactly when I get confused and exactly what confused me.

20)_____I review my notes and text before beginning homework.

21)_____I work problems until I understand them, not just until I get the right answer for homework.

22)_____I use flashcards for formulas and vocabulary.

23)_____I develop memory techniques to remember math concepts.

Math tests:

24)_____I preview the test before I begin.

25)_____Before I begin the test, I make notes on things such as formulas that I might need.

26)_____I begin with the easy questions first.

27)_____I take the full amount of time allotted for the test.

28)_____I carefully check or rework as many problems that I have time to before I turn in my test.

29)_____When tests are returned, I keep a log of the types of mistakes I make: concept errors, application errors, or careless errors.

30)_____I keep up to date so that I don’t have to cram the night before a test.

Anxiety:

31)_____I believe that I can succeed in math class.

32)_____I have study partners in my math class.

33)_____I take practice tests.

34)_____I know several good relaxation techniques.

_____TOTAL SCORE

Scoring:

Total the scores from all 34 statements.

If your score is 90 – 103, give yourself an A. You are using the study skills you need in order to be successful in math.

If your score is 80 – 89, give yourself a B. You are using good math study skills. Choose a few strategies to work on each day, and you are well on you way to an A.

If your score is 70 – 79, give yourself a C. Your study skills are average. If you want an A, choose one or two strategies in each category to work on until you are using most of the strategies described above.

If you score is below 70, you are probably having a difficult time in math class. Math may not be your trouble! More than likely, you main problem is the study strategies you are using (or not using). Make yourself do the things on the list above.

Unit One

Getting Organized – Managing Your Time

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I spending enough time studying – or too much?

Have I reasonably planned the use of my time each week?

Is my private study time being used effectively?

Does my concentration wander too much when I am studying?

Do I often put off studying and do other things instead?

Is there too much noise where I work?

Are there too many distractions or interruptions where I work?

Is the place where I work uncomfortable?

Do I have everything I need at my place of work?

At UNCC you are moving into a new learning environment. You will need to get an early start on organizing your time. You will have a number of things competing for your time: Study (attending classes, doing homework, private study…), domestic needs (eating, phoning home, sleeping…), leisure activities (visiting with friends, sporting activities, exercising…).

You should draw up a timetable for a normal week during the first couple of weeks of the term. Some of these times will be fixed and mandatory, such as lectures and rehearsals. Other times will be more flexible, like study time and social time. Plan your periods of study time when you feel at your best and able to concentrate. This may depend on your biological clock! Some people are awake and raring to go at the crack of dawn. Others are at their best in the late evening when things are quiet. Make sure that you schedule time for doing homework as well as time for just reviewing lecture notes.

The type of environment you work best in will depend on you. Some prefer to work alone and others prefer to work with others. Some prefer to work in silence and others with music playing in the background. You should experiment to find out which suits you best. If you are living with others it is often useful to have a friendly discussion about work needs in terms of noise and interruption. You may find that you work best in the library where you will not be disturbed.

Prepare for class. To do this, you need to do your homework. If you have difficulty with the homework, or some of the concepts, write down questions to ask your instructor. If you were given a reading assignment, read the appropriate material carefully before class. If you were not given a reading assignment, spend a few minutes previewing any new material in the textbook before class. At this point you don’t have to understand everything you read. Just get a feeling for the definitions and concepts that will be discussed. This quick preview will help you understand what your instructor is explaining during class.

Attend class every day. If an

emergency arises and you cannot

attend a class, find out what assignment was given during that class.

Schedule two hours of study time for

each hour spent in class.

Complete a weekly schedule that organizes all of your activities and provides adequate study time.

Stick to your schedule!

Keep an actual log of study time.

Unit Two

Becoming an Active Learner

Questions to ask yourself:

Am I missing class? If so why?

Do I find that the lecture has sometimes started when I get there?

Can I hear and see clearly in the lectures?

Do I find that I have forgotten to bring something important to the lecture?

Have I attempted all of the homework required for the class?

Am I asking questions during class or do I sometimes feel “I wish I had asked…”?

Do I know when and where my instructor has office hours?

Am I part of a study group?

Take responsibility for studying, recognizing what you do and don’t know, and knowing how to get your instructor to help you with what you don’t know. An Active learner is always prepared for the class. They are on time and have looked over the material that is to be presented. Make a list of the things that give you problems so that you can ask questions.

Ask questions in class. There are usually other students wanting to know the answers to the same questions you have. Focus in on what exactly is causing you problems. Don’t tell your instructor that you don’t understand problem #15 for example. Be more specific. Tell the instructor that you don’t understand what happened in the second step, or that you don’t know where the “2x” went.

Ask questions during office hours. The instructor will be pleased to see that you are interested, and you are actively helping yourself. Have your questions ready. Don’t expect the instructor to re-iterate the past three lectures in a way you will be able to understand. This is a time for the student to focus in on what exactly is causing them problems, not to catch up on missed classes. Tips for getting help when you need it are given on the reverse of this sheet.

Get help from other students. Your fellow students in the course might be having difficulties too, but these may be different difficulties. Together you might be able to overcome the various difficulties by working in a small group. You can discuss key ideas and concepts, and work through problems together. This is often useful, provided everybody contributes. Meet once or twice a week. You may also use the phone. Go over problems you’ve had trouble with. Either someone else in the group will help you, or you will discover you’re all stuck on the same problems. Then it’s time to get help from your instructor. Tips on how to work with others are on the reverse of this sheet.

Be an active participant in the classroom. Get ahead in the book; try to work some of the problems before they are covered in class. Be familiar with the material that is to be presented. You would never start out on a trip across country without looking first at a map to get an idea of where you were going.

Become part of a study group and be an active participant.

  • Get the telephone numbers of the other group members for support, help, and information concerning the class.
  • Be willing to listen to explanations and solutions given by others. Ask questions to insure understanding.
  • Find a meeting place to work together outside of class. Work examples in the book together.
  • Be willing to explain concepts and procedures to others.

If a study group is not feasible, find one study partner in class.

Write out procedures in your own words.

Correct every mistake that you made when a test is returned; this is a good group activity. Compare and contrast solutions to test problems. If need be, see your instructor for help with this also.

Create your own problems similar to those in the text, then exchange with someone else.

Write down questions while reading and doing homework. Take advantage of the instructor’s office hours.

  • Office:______
  • Ext:______
  • Monday:______
  • Tuesday:______
  • Wednesday:______
  • Thursday:______
  • Friday:______

Make an appointment to see the instructor if you need extra help, and you can not come during posted office hours.