Study Suggestions
(this is a work in progress and is likely to change in the next day or
so)
1. Take clear and complete notes. Read through your notes
as soon as you can after class.
Before you open your notebook to
do this, try to remember what was covered that day in class. Odds
are that you won't recall. When you do then open your notebook
and see and recognize the material it might make a bigger impact.
You don't need to spend very long
on this (maybe 15 minutes). Think about what you are reading, do
your notes make sense, is the material something you knew
already? Would someone else be able to read and understand your
notes? Try to fill in any missing details. If your notes
aren't clear, complete, and understandable at this point they aren't
going to help you very much when it comes time to study for the next
quiz.
2. Read through the online notes.
They usually appear the day after
class; try to read through them before the next class. The online
notes often explain the material in a little more detail and might be a
little clearer.
3. Read the textbook as the reading assignments are made.
4. Complete the optional assignments.
5. As we finish a block of material you should make a serious
attempt to understand it.
Can you start with a blank sheet
of paper and recreate most of the development from class? Could
you start with a blank sheet of paper and explain a topic or concept to
someone else that isn't familiar with the material?
When the study guide for the next
quiz appears, you should be able to work your way through it section by
section in the same way. As you start to study a new section take
out a blank sheet of paper and try to write down what you know about
that material. Compare what you remember to what is on the study
guide.