By : Fred Peskoff, Ed.D.

From : Bourough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York Department of Mathematics

The strategy needed for studying math is different than that needed to study other subjects. Most study skills workshops in colleges are given by guidance counselors or learning specialists. They tend to focus on subjects that emphasize reading, note-taking, and memorization. For the most part, they do not focus on technical areas (such as mathematics or physics) which emphasize problem solving. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide you with a study approach that can be specifically applied to mathematics.

1.   In class, focus on the method that is being explained. Most professors write the "rules" needed to solve problems on the blackboard. Copying these rules and any related examples is sufficient. It is not necessary to write down every word your professor says. Do not "take dictation". Unlike in humanities or social science courses, you will not be asked to write a lot of detailed information in an essay format. Rather, you will be asked to utilize concepts and techniques to solve problems. Your approach to note-taking should be based on this objective.

2.   Unless your professor specifically states that he or she does not want to be interrupted during class, you should raise your hand to ask a question if confused. Most of the time in mathematics, if you do not understand the first concept, you will not understand most (or all) of what follows. In general, learning mathematics is cumulative. Each new technique builds on, and therefore obviously assumes you understood the techniques that preceded it. This is not necessarily true in most social sciences and humanities courses, with the possible exception of foreign languages.

     I always tell my students that "if you don’t understand a certain concept, chances are many of your classmates don’t either." Therefore, by raising your question, you are helping your colleagues as well as yourself. Nonetheless, some students (and faculty) feel that if too many questions are asked, the continuity of the lesson will be interrupted. If you sense that your third or fourth question will impede the lesson, then it probably would be best if you waited until after class to ask it. Often, instructors will recommend this, especially if the question pertains to a topic that was already covered in a previous lesson or will not be covered until a future lesson.

3.   Be sure to stay up to date with your homework assignments. You must practice math to become proficient in it. Unlike most humanities courses, mathematics does not require a lot of reading or a lot of memorization. It is a skill that emphasizes reasoning and problem solving. Learning math is like learning to play a sport or a musical instrument. For example, if you were taking piano lessons and you always watched your teacher play but never touched the keyboard yourself, do you think you could give even a simple recital? The same is true for math. Just "watching" your instructor solve problems in class does not at all mean that you will be able to do so. You must practice solving problems on your own at home. You will learn a lot more if you first struggle with a problem and then see your instructor work it out (at the next class or lab meeting) as opposed to never looking at it until someone else puts it on the blackboard.

4.   Before you attempt a homework assignment, you should review your class notes. Go over the examples that were done in class and make sure you understand them before you start the homework problems. You might even want to keep your class notes in front of you as a reference when you are first starting your homework. Try to relate the homework problems to the examples that were previously done in class.

5.   Stay up to date. I am not suggesting that you "cram" any subject but again, unlike certain other areas, math is virtually impossible to cram because there is such a strong emphasis on sequential understanding. So, do your homework after every class meeting so that your understanding (not your confusion) will grow. In fact, most of my students who keep up to date find that they only need to study minimally before an exam. A quick review of their already completed homework assignments usually suffices to refresh their memory.

6.   Do not feel embarrassed or frustrated if you get stuck. Ask your professor, lab instructor, or tutor for help. Many students are afraid to visit their instructors during office hours. Most professors will gladly help students during office hours as long as they feel the student first tried the assignment (even if he was not successful) on his own. In other words, you should regard your professor as a supplement to, not a replacement for your own studying.

7.   Many students struggle with mathematics. If you are one of them, you should realize you are not alone. Now more than ever, countless numbers of students are returning to school after being away for many years. Many have forgotten the math they learned years ago. Others may never have learned the material that they now need to master. Although you may feel frustrated at times, do not give up. Stay up to date, ask for help if you need it, and have confidence in yourself. Be an active learner. By the end of the semester, you may even conclude that when approached properly, studying math can be a rewarding experience.

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