Read your text
For some of you this will be new and initially a difficult experience.   First, preview the material by reading the section before it is discussed in class.  Don't expect to understand everything.  But do expect to become aware of key ideas and important vocabulary.  Think of a couple of questions that you would expect to get answered in class the following day.

The second time you read have a pencil, paper, and a calculator nearby.  Work every example that is not immediately clear, trying to fill in the steps the author has skipped.  Jot down questions you have about the examples or other parts of the reading.  Try to solve the problems at this point.

After the material in a section has been discussed in class, if you still have any questions, reread the section and try again the problems you weren't able to solve the last time.  If something is still not clear at this point, see me or visit the Help Center as soon as possible. Please be sure to come to these places, with clearly formulated questions. These help situations are not meant to be a substitute for the class lecture.

Keep up on the problems.
No one gives a flawless musical performance without practice.  No one is a star athlete without practice.  Similarly, no one is an excellent mathematics student without practice.  Superb musicians, athletes, and mathematics students practice almost every day.  You will not become good at mathematics just by reading or watching others solve problems.  Mathematics is not a spectator sport.

On some quizzes you might be asked to copy your work to one or two homework problems without access to your book.  Make sure you label each section clearly, and write clearly and in sufficient quantity so your answer can be interpreted later.

If you need more help to learn the material of the class, then attend class daily.
Pleae be aware that Class discussion and activities give alternative explanations for what is in the text, supplement the text with additional information, and allow you to ask questions about the material being studied.  Class activities are most meaningful if you have read your text, and have attempted all the problems before we discuss a concept or its application. Bring your book and your solutions to problems to class. Please understand that if you do not attend class, then you may miss something that you will be expected to have learned.

Ask questions about what you do not understand.
Some questions can be answered during class time.  But there is never enough time to answer all questions people might have.  Fortunately, there are many other ways to get questions answered.

• Consult me during office hours.
• Use the Mathematics Department's Learning Center (may not be available during summer term).  Times at which people qualified to answer questions about this class are available will be announced later in the semester.  Remember, it is FREE help!
• Contact your classmates to set up study sessions.

Keep a positive attitude.
Some people shoot themselves in the foot by starting off saying "I'm no good in math" or "I hate math."  With such an attitude you will surely do poorly.  Give yourself an honest chance by saying "I may not have done well in the past, but I will work at doing well this term."

If you want to earn a good grade, you must give 100% effort.
To do well in any math course, you must do everything above.  I often hear the comment "I only want to get a 2.0 or 2.5 in this class."  Historically, I have often watched students who made such comments fail or get only a 1.0 in the course. Inevitably these students always underestimate the work needed for a specific grade.  Shoot for a 4.0.  If you don't get it, at least you know you did your best. In trying for the highest grade, you will probably do better than your regular expectations.  Note that this should entail spending at least two hours outside of class reading and doing problems for every hour spent in class.