How to Earn an A in Math Class

  1. ATTENDANCE: Attend all classes. Arrive on time. Remain for entire period.

  2. HOMEWORK: Work all assigned problems. Simulate test conditions. If you are dependent on seeing the answer or an example, you are not getting proper understanding.

    3. NOTE 1: If you do an excellent job with BOTH steps 1 and 2, this may be enough.

  3. If you must miss a class, contact the instructor or a reliable classmate to find out as much as possible about what was done in class. Then use the assignment sheet and text to cover all the material you missed. Perhaps you could benefit from attending a different section taught by your instructor for the same subject. View a video on the topics you missed in class. (Refer to video information in step 4 and to a separate video list for your class.) These suggestions may help but can only partially compensate for full time in your regular class.

  4. If there is a video for the topic you are studying, view it. The best video set for MATH 1111 available for checkout from the college library and can be viewed in the the Learning Center. Other videos for MATH 1111 can be checked out from the college library. A good video set supporting TECH 0099 and TECH 1120 is available for check out from the PLATO lab coordinator in room 635.


    5. NOTE 2: The Learning Center is located in the Student Center building room 308. The director is Dr. Gabriele Stauf. The assistant director is Mrs. Mindy Webb. There are trained student tutors. The phone number is 248-3989. The services of the Learning Center are included as a fringe benefit of being a Bainbridge College student. There is no additional charge for use of their services. The Learning Center is usually open Monday - Thursday 9:00a.m. - 6:00p.m, and Friday 9:00a.m. - 12:00noon. Some semesters hours may vary from these, and assistance during extra hours by appointment may be possible.

  5. Arrange to meet with the instructor outside of class for extra help. An appointment during office hours is best. Drop in visits during office hours are welcomed when there is no conflict with other commitments. Appointments can be scheduled outside office hours when necessary. Follow up with individual review after meeting with the instructor.

  6. Arrange an appointment and meet with a peer tutor in the Learning Center. See NOTE 2 on the previous page. Standing appointments established at the start of the semester are usually best. If you are unable to make an appointment during your first phone call or visit, leave your name and phone number along with the subject in which you need help. Ask for the best time to reach a tutor or Dr. Stauf or Mrs. Webb. Then check back. At certain times during the semester there may be very heavy demands for some tutors. Students who persist in seeking help in an organized way usually get it. Follow up with individual review after meeting with the tutor.

  7. Complete extra work in the PLATO computer program for the topic you are studying. Separate handouts list PLATO material related to your class. You can use PLATO in one of several locations including the Learning Center, rooms 269, 270, 636, CIS labs, and the CALC lab. Hours vary for each location. You are expected to sign a form indicating that you will comply with the printed policies for computer use at Bainbridge College before working in any of the computer labs. You may meet this requirement by contacting your instructor.

  8. Get acquainted with one or more students who are doing well in the class. Get the phone numbers of those who are willing to talk with you when you encounter difficulty with an assignment. Study with a classmate. You must also follow up with individual study.

  9. Phone the instructor's office for help. Leave a message for a return call.

  10. Sit in the front of class away from distractions.

  11. Work assignments as soon after class as possible while information from class is fresh.

  12. Study for your math class about 6 days a week about 1½ hours each time. Obviously not every person needs the same schedule. However, lots of 10 minute sessions lack continuity, and a long late night session just before a test may cause exhaustion and/or panic. You must plan for both quantity and quality in study time.

  13. Avoid interruptions. Let a machine answer the phone. Choose a time and place for study to minimize distractions.

  14. *Make a practice test. Mix up different type problems from different sections of the chapter in your text. Copy some questions from the text or your notes on problems for which you have answers. Work your entire list of questions without looking at any answer or other information. When you finish the entire list, then grade your own work. If your questions were the real test, would you be happy with the grade you would have made? If not, repeat this step with a different set of questions from sections announced for the test. (The * is intended to make this step stand out as a particularly useful one.)

  15. Organize a study group of 2 to 6 students in the class to meet at a regular time and place to work together on the class. Devote some time to individual preparation before the study group meets and for individual review after the study group meeting. Individual preparation before the regular class and review after the regular class is also valuable. The instructor, a tutor, or classmates may assist you in learning a concept, but you are responsible for your individual mastery of that concept. In class or in a group it may appear easier to work a problem than it seems when you work that problem alone. Therefore class and group study can not completely replace individual study.

  16. Various seminars and programs are offered on campus to enrich your learning experiences and enhance your opportunities for success. Participate in these.

  17. If one of the steps on this list does not help you, try another activity. Some methods may work better for you than others. It is up to you to find what will make you successful. If you give up in trying, you will certainly not make a high grade.

  18. Seek help from the instructor, the Learning Center, or other students as SOON as you encounter difficulty. The longer you postpone assistance, the more difficult it will become to eliminate your confusion. Normally you need knowledge of each section in order to be ready for the next section. If you are struggling today, you may be totally lost tomorrow.

  19. If extra credit opportunities are provided, complete ALL of these.

  20. If you experience math anxiety, learn techniques for minimizing its harmful symptoms.
  21. Study a book on how to succeed in math or a general one on how to be a good student. QA 11.S63 1998 Mastering Mathematics: How to be a Great Math Student by Smith is available from the Bainbridge College library for student check out.

  22. Read a book on women who used math in various ways. QA 27.5S53 1995 She Does Math Editor, Marla Parker, is available from the Bainbridge College library for student check out.

Final NOTE: There should be enough methods in this list that any Bainbridge College student making a sincere effort should be able to accomplish a passing grade. Perhaps you will discover other methods that contribute to your success in your math course at Bainbridge College. If so, please share them with the instructor so that the additional methods may be distributed to future students.

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