To succeed in this course, you should :
1)... be here! (on time). If you are not, determine what you've missed. Don't waste time!! especially when given time to work together. Group work is often very helpful in this particular course.
Quote: "Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is
made of" Benjamin Franklin
2) ... keep an organized notebook. Include dates the material is presented. Each day you should
give a title to the days notes (if you have difficulty doing this, ask). Be sure to highlight emphasized
material. Copy examples.
3) ...memorize the language. Mathematics is a language.
Make up notecards which help you memorize the vocabulary, the postulates, and the theorems (info. from
notebooks or from text). Often it is helpful to picture the situation on one side of the card and write the
theorem/definition on the other side of the card so you begin to make necessary associations. Behavioral
stimulus-response theory
4) ... utilize and add to (according to what helps you) the list of hints for reasoning/proof which
I've given you.
5) ... learn to analyze what the expert does and what kinds of questions he asks so you can do and
ask yourself the same questions when doing your homework. Algo-heuristic theory
6)... always do each problem of the homework. Do not give up on homework assignments until
you've made a plan, used each piece of given information completely, and broken down a large problem
into smaller parts.
Quote: "It is better to wear out than to rust out" Richard Cumberland
"When work is a pleasure, life is a joy!
When work is a duty, life is slavery."
Maxim Gorky
7) ...stay ahead of the competition. Read a section of the book before I introduce that section
unless I tell you not to. Make some of your own hypotheses (theorems). In this way, you can focus on
what questions or thoughts you may have -- you may find the questions answered when the teacher
introduces the concept... If not, ask.
8) ... participate actively in class. Be attentive - especially to key points which will be emphasized
.
9) ... review and update your notes weekly. Attempt to arrange them in order to see relationships
among the various aspects within the course. Get the big picture! Elaboration theory
Practice!! Continual studying and practice is shown to enhance retention of material much better than
"cramming".
10) ... seek out extra help if it is necessary. Extra help is expected to be supplemental; pay
attention in class.
Quote: "He that can't endure the bad will not live to see the good" Anonymous
11) ...learn from your mistakes. Record what you've done wrong and how to do it correctly -particularly after graded homework assignments and tests; then, don't make the same mistake twice.
12) ALWAYS do your best!!