Do ALL your homework every night, without fail!!

This is the #1, most important action you can take to prepare for each exam. Homework is first and foremost a means of learning fundamental ideas and processes in mathematics, and of developing habits of neatness and accuracy.

• If you get stuck, don't just give up! Look back at the book and your notes for ideas related to the problem. If you still can't clear your thinking, ask the teacher about the problems as soon as possible.

Correct your homework errors the following evening

Remember, don't just change the answers. Strive to understand how you made your errors and what you need to do to avoid making those errors again. If you are wise, you will make those errors teach you something. Here's what you can do:

• Analyze the error to see if you can find what you did wrong. If you can't find where your error is, ask the teacher or a classmate to help you.

Concentrate

• Ask questions when you do not understand. Listen to the questions and answers of others in the class and take part in the class discussion.
• Do not write at the wrong time.
  • When you are taking notes, be sure you do not miss anything that is said while you are doing so. When taking notes, there are two conflicting things you must try to do. One is to make your notes complete and accurate enough to be valuable to you later. The other is to make your notes brief enough so that you can continue to listen to what is being said in class. As I teach each lesson, I will try to help you by suggesting what and when to write.

Teach the topic you are trying to learn

• See if you can explain it to your mom or dad. If you can explain it well enough for someone else to understand, you know it well enough to pass with high marks.
• Also, it is often helpful to call upon a classmate when you do not understand a problem. Often, they are able to explain the concept to you as well as (if not better than) the teacher.

When the test is handed to you, remember these pointers: