record the sessions. Be sure to ask your instructor for permission first,
though.
You can also ask you instructor to repeat what he or she has said or to
slow down if he or she is going too fast. But remember, don’t become a pest.
You must be reasonable.
Be sure to ask intelligent questions when you don’t understand something.
Now I know some of you are thinking, ‘‘How can I ask intelligent questions
when I don’t understand?’’ or, ‘‘I don’t want to sound stupid.’’
If you really understand the previous material and you are paying atten-
tion, then you can ask intelligent questions.
You must also remember that many times the instructor will leave out
steps in solving problems. This is not to make it difficult for you, but you
should be able to fill them in. You must be alert, active, and pay complete
attention to what’s going on in class.
Another important aspect you should realize is that in a class with ten or
more students, you cannot expect private tutoring. You cannot expect to
understand everything that is taught. But what you must do is copy down
everything you can. Later, when you get home, apply the information
presented in the chapters of this book.
Be alert, active, and knowledgeable in class.
THE TEXTBOOK
The textbook is an important tool in learning, and you must know how to
use it.
It is important tostudyyour book. Note that I did not say ‘‘read’’ your
book, but I purposely saidstudy.
How do you study a mathematics book? It is different from studying a
psychology book. First, look at the chapter title. It will tell you what you will
be studying in the chapter. For example, if Chapter 5 is entitled ‘‘Solving
Equations,’’ this means that you will be doing something (solving) to what
are called ‘‘equations.’’ Next, read the chapter’s introduction: it will tell you
what topics are contained in the chapter.
Now look at the section headings. Let’s say Section 5.3 is entitled ‘‘Solving
Equations by Using the Multiplication Principle.’’ This tells you that you will
be using multiplication to solve a certain type of equation.
Take a pencil and paper and underline in the book all definitions, symbols,
and rules. Also, write them down in your notebook.
Now, actually work out each problem that is worked out in the textbook.
Do not just copy the problems, but actually try to solve them, following the
SUPPLEMENT Overcoming Math Anxiety 281