Tips for Success in College Mathematics

How much time should I spend studying?

• The general rule of thumb is that for each credit hour, you should spend 2-3 hours a week

outside of class studying. For example, in a 3-credit class, you should spend 6-9 hours each

week outside of class studying, and for a 4-credit class, you should spend 8-12 hours per

week. This guideline is for any college course; therefore, if math has traditionally been a

challenging subject for you, you may need to set aside more time to study. This may also be

true during weeks of exams or times when a topic is particularly challenging.

How is studying math different from studying other subjects?

• Math is like a sport. As we all know, understanding a sport when you watch it and being

able to play that sport do not go hand-in-hand. Similarly, being able to follow along in a

math class does not mean you will be able to do the math on your own. As with a sport, you

need to practice math by doing the homework. Homework is your practice for game (test)

days. It is also useful to buy the student’s solutions manual to accompany the text, because it

will show steps to solving a problem and not just the answer, which is typically all the

textbook provides.

• Math is also unique in that new material builds off of old material very quickly. In math, you

will not be able to get away with slacking off for a few classes and catching up later. Falling

behind in a math course, even just a few classes, can quickly escalate to a point that catching

up will be substantially more difficult and sometimes impossible. Consequently, you need to

be practicing (doing the homework) between each class period.

• A college math course will usually move much more quickly than a high school course. (For

example, a year-long high school AP Calculus (AB) course is equivalent to a one-semester

college Calculus I class.) More of your learning will now need to take place outside of the

classroom.

• Homework will probably be handled differently. High school math teachers will often

collect and give credit for homework completion. College instructors often will not or the

points given will be minimal. Homework now needs to be viewed as your practice for the

tests.

• Tests will cover more material. Tests are typically given much more frequently in high

school than in college; therefore, your tests may seem more challenging. This is another

reason to not procrastinate.

What can I do to get the most out of class time?

• Show up and stay alert. It may be simple, but the first step is simply being there, every day.

Once there, staying alert is the tricky part. There are several things you can do to keep up

your focus; however, you will “space out.” Just be aware of it, and try some of the

following techniques to bring yourself back. After all, you are already there, so you might as

well get the most out of it.

• Take notes. Even if you understand the material, taking notes can help keep you stay focused

during class. Your notes can also help at test time to decide what the instructor thought was

important.
• Ask questions. Most instructors will welcome questions; however, if the class is too large or

if your instructor does not encourage questions during class, jot down questions to ask at a

later time.

• Try it on your own. If the instructor is completing an example, try to do it on your own. If

you do not feel equipped to complete it on your own, try to predict what the next step will be.

Not only can this action keep you alert, but it’s good practice.

• A couple of final comments regarding class time…

Do not panic if you feel like you are not keeping up with the lecture. This feeling is

common. It can be a challenge to take notes and follow along at the rapid pace of a

college math class. To help counteract this, review your notes while the lecture is still

fresh in your head, because many of the concepts that you initially found confusing will

often clear up.

Make math buddies. You do not have to become lifelong friends, but chat with some

students around you before, during (when appropriate), and after class. Once on friendly

terms, you will naturally find yourselves asking questions of one another as the semester

goes on. Once you feel comfortable with your new math buddies, consider forming a

study group. You do not need to describe it in these formal terms, but meeting

occasionally to work on problems together can be very beneficial. (“Math buddies” will

also give you someone from whom to borrow notes if you have to miss class.)

How can I get the most of my instructor’s or tutor’s assistance?

• One of the main differences between successful and unsuccessful math students is that

successful students ask questions and get help. All students have questions and need help at

some point. Do not wait to get help. Visit your instructor’s office hours. Your instructor is a
 resource, so use him/her. You can also ask fellow classmates and sometimes friends or

family. Hearing it explained in a different way can often be helpful. In addition, most

colleges have some free tutoring services. Tutors, both paid and unpaid, can be excellent

resources.

• Once you have decided to get extra help, there are ways of asking questions that can be more

helpful than others. Be as specific as possible. “I don’t get lines” is not very helpful for an

instructor or tutor because it is not reasonable to expect him/her to teach you everything there

is to know about lines, but “I don’t understand how to graph a line” gives a specific concept

to address. You can also ask how to do a specific problem. It is best to go with your work in

hand and show your instructor or tutor what you did, so s/he can find where you are making

your mistake. After you get clarification on a problem, ask to try one on your own, because

if you are still having problems, you can get immediate clarification. Remember, your

instructor or tutor cannot “learn it for you.” Further, it is not their responsibility to go

through an entire lecture. Instead, they are resources for clarification, so go in prepared with

a list of specific problems and questions.

How should I prepare for tests?

• The best way to prepare for a test is to not wait until the test to prepare. At this point you

should have been keeping up with homework, asking questions, and seeking outside help as

needed. By test time, you should only have to ask questions clear up details. You should not

be trying to learn the material for the first time.

• Ask the instructor for their recommendations on preparing for the test. Often an instructor

may provide a study guide, sample test, or old tests from previous semesters. If you do not

get much specific guidance, consider the following advice.

quizzes are a statement to the student as to what they think is important. Review each

section’s notes, homework problems, and quizzes. DO SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.

After all, you will be doing problems on the test, so that is how you must study. If you are

not getting these problems correct without looking at your notes or a solutions manual, you

cannot expect that you will be successful on the test, so keep practicing. Also, as you go

through each section, write down formulas and procedures you will need to memorize before

the test. Finally, start this “section by section” review early, so you have time to obtain help,

if you need it.

• Work a variety of problems in a test-like situation. Use a sample test, if the instructor gave

you one, or make up your own by picking a couple of problems from each section that

highlights the major concepts (after all, that is how your instructor will write your test). By

simulating a test-like situation, you can help minimize some of the stress you may feel during

a test.

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test, so you are mentally sharp the next day.

What are some math test-taking strategies?

• Maximize the time you have available. Look over the entire test so you know approximately

how long it is. Start by doing the problems you know how to do first. (There is nothing

worse than running out of time with unanswered questions you knew how to do!) This can

also help build your confidence. You want to work carefully, but quickly. If you get stuck

on a problem, move on to a different one. Not only is this a good use of time, but you will

often discover something helpful in a different problem.

it is correct. Additionally, many instructors will give partial credit if your logic was accurate,

even if your answer was not.

• Do not erase. It is a waste of time, and you may erase work that you later realize was correct.

Instead, just put a line through your work. If you need more space, ask to write additional

work on a separate sheet of paper.

• Finally, read questions carefully, be sure to answer the question asked, check your answer for

reasonableness (especially in an application problem), and if you finish early, check over

your work.

A final comment…

• Do not be too hard on yourself. Remember, everyone struggles in math. It may happen in

algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, or beyond, but everyone will struggle in math at

some point, if they go far enough. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Do not worry about your

problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater.”