Math+Masters+Tips+&+Tricks

=**__Math Masters Tips & Tricks__** = Come prepared to class each day. Bring all necessary materials, including your textbook, binder, pencil, calculator and completed homework. BRING AN OPEN MIND!!!

**__How to Take Notes__**

 * Write down important problems, definitions, theorems and axioms in your class notes.
 * Listen carefully to instructions and discussions.
 * Always be sure you understand what is being said. If you don’t understand, ASK.
 * Do practice problems neatly, including steps to the solution method.
 * Use emphasis! - different colors/highlighters, stars, bullets, underlining, et c.

**__How to Do Homework__**

 * TRY! You can't possibly get any credit or learn the material unless you put in an honest effort.
 * Show your work! NO WORK = NO CREDIT!
 * Do a few problems, then check your answers to make sure your on the right track.
 * Make corrections to what you miss. Highlight that step for future study.
 * [[file:Homework completion flowchart.pdf]]

**__How to Study Vocabulary__**

 * Write out the terms and their definitions.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make flash cards.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Test yourself two ways - recalling the term given its definition **__and__** recalling the definition when given the term.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**__How to Study for Tests__**

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make a list of objectives on the assessment.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find examples and problems for each objective you have listed. Work them.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Review vocabulary related to your list of objectives.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look for and try to recall general patterns and procedures. Study previous quizzes. Look at particular problems you did incorrectly.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Select problems from past homework assignments (and not just the easy ones). Rework these problems. Compare the results with your original homework results.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don’t just scan your homework and previous assessments. Instead, pick up a pencil and do the problems again.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Concentrate on objectives that gave you trouble on previous assessments. Work problems that you did incorrectly the first time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__**How to Study for Finals**__
> Make notecards. > Check your text glossary/notes for important pieces of information. > KNOW YOUR FORMULAS!!! > Identify //careless mistakes// versus **CONCEPTUAL ERRORS**. > Correct any problems you missed. > Make notes to review any types of problems you don’t remember how to do. > Extra practice problems are broken down by section in the back of your text. > Do them! > Focus on any sections you identified as areas of weakness. > Once you get your packet, work on it. > Look in your notes/text and feel free to ask a friend if you don’t remember how to do something. Use your resources. > Bring completed assignments. > Bring questions from your review of material //outside// class. > Be on task during review sessions. > Get a good night's sleep. Don't stay up cramming all night. > Eat a good breakfast. > Bring pencils, calculator and completed review packet to final exam. > Go to the restroom; get a drink and tissue before the test begins.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Review / memorize important vocabulary, theorems, and/or formulas.**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Review previous quizzes / tests**.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Complete extra practice problems.**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Complete the final review packet.**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Come to review sessions prepared and focused.**
 * **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The day of final exam: **