UMKC Department of Mathematics and Statistics Student Advice

UMKC Department of Mathematics and Statistics

STUDENT TO STUDENT ADVICE:
Succeeding in Selected
Undergraduate Mathematics Courses

Student Advice: Math 110 (College Algebra)
Student Advice: Math 206 (Brief Calculus and Matrix Algebra)
Student Advice: Math 210 (Calculus I)
Student Advice: Math 220 (Calculus II)
Information on Courses
Current Semester Course Schedule

GO TO Mathematics and Statistics Home Page

ADVICE from STUDENTS:
Math 110 (College Algebra)

Summer 2004

Study and come to class.
Stay on top of it and do a little each night.
Come to class and do the assigned problems.
Stay in class the full time and you will pass. Also don't skip.
Go to the MRC before each exam.
Just pay attention in class and take good notes.
Go above and beyond what the teacher assigns for homework. This was my saving grace.
Don't procrastinate.
Don't be scared to work ahead and look back.
Study, ask questions, and show up.
Don't get in over your head before seeking help.
The MRC helped a lot.
Do the homework and exercises even if they are not assigned. It helps if you know what to ask questions about.
Start off with a bang because it is hard to bring a bad grade up.
Do not skip one class.
Do problems every night and ask questions.

Winter 2004

Do the problems after each section.
After class go get help, form a study group, ask your teacher if you have questions.
Study all the problems in the book instead of just doing the problems that are assigned.
The best way to study for tests is to do the problems over and over until you become used to them.
Go to the MRC and ask questions if you don't understand something.
Learn at your own pace and ask a lot of questions until the meaning is clear and concise. Repetitive motion is best. Don't skim along.
Don't wait until test time to do homework. Go to all of the classes. Go to the MRC.
Keep up and do your homework. Always ask questions even if you do understand because someone else doesn't and is too afraid to ask. Keep up on the sections by reading them before you come to class and you will always be prepared for lecture.
Don't not do the homework just because you might not get a grade for it. It will only benefit you in the end.
Practice, practice, and let's see... more practice. The key for me is to work every problem. See the chapter reviews before tests. Overhearing kids in class, they really don't do the homework.
Keep up with homework and do not fall behind.
Come to class every day.
Write all formulas from the beginning of the semester and add on as you get new ones.
Do the homework. Seek outside help if you need it. Get to class.
Pace yourself.
Study, study, study and then study some more.

ADVICE from STUDENTS:
Math 206 (Brief Calculus and Matrix Algebra)

Winter 2004

Stay in it. Don't drop.
Do homework and read sections before a teacher goes over it. Attend every class.
Study. Do more than just the required amnount.
Brush up on algebra.
It is vital you stay on top of the material to succeed in this course.
Always go to class. Stay on top of it. If you miss a class and get behind, it makes it 10 times harder. I am getting a high B almost an A because I always go to class and do the homework.
Study. Do the homework. Your effort makes the grade.
Practice daily. Don't wait till the last minute. Attend class regularly.
Study all possible types of problems.
It really does help to find a friend to work with. Go to class. Take math courses consecutively.
Do your homework and go to class.
Stay up with the pace and actually understand it before going to the next lesson in the class.

ADVICE from STUDENTS:
Math 210 (Calculus I)

Winter 2004

Study and do homework.
Pay attention, all the time.
Do your homework and ask questions!
Go to the MRC every day!
Come to class!
Do your homework everyday and ask questions in class if you don't understand. Don't skip.
Attend the course regularly. Do the homework assignments!!!
Ask if you don't understand. Practice will make you perfect!
Do lots of practice problems.
Seek tutorial help if needed.
Be sure you know your information from previous courses because I wasn't sure of my info and have been struggling.
Attend everyday. If you don't understand a concept ask for help. It only compounds over the course.
Everything seems to relate to what you studied earlier in the course.
Make sure you are thoroughly prepared.
It isn't an easy class to just show up on exam day and do well...welcome to college.
Make sure you have resources to help you.
Hang in there. It seems difficult in the beginning but it does get better. Easier than you may have heard.
Attend every class.
Know your steps to approach problems.
Be sure to allocate enough time.
Be very familiar with algebra and trigonometry material.
Prepare for class and if you don't understand something ask your professor.
Study like crazy.
Show up every day and don't take so many other classes while in this one.
Know your algebra!
Put in a lot of time and effort.
Work through all problems and definitely get help if needed.
Make sure you have a good background in algebra and know your trig.

ADVICE from STUDENTS:
Math 220 (Calculus II)

Winter 2004

Take trig, practice the power rule, make sure you have 1-2 hours a day to do the homework.
Come to class, read the book, do the homework. Still have questions? Ask the professor.
Know your Calculus I principles forward and backward; limits, derivatives, integrals. Do all assigned problems. Do not just read the section in the book. Test questions are modeled after homework problems.
Stay caught up with the homework and studying.
Study all night and all day.
Make sure you remember your calc I. Do your homework.
Pay attention in class.
Meet up with the professor.
Do the homework, all of it.
Always remember u-substitution. Do not be intimidated. Learn how to think backwards.
Pay attention in the course leading up to this one. (Calculus I.)
Use the MRC.
Make friends with people who have already taken the course or understand it well. They can help more than the teacher in some cases.
Read the material, practice problem solving techniques, and take good notes. Review everything before exams.
Don't take too many advanced courses unless you have a proper understanding of this one.
Study really hard.
Do the homework, assigned or not assigned.
Don't miss a class and try to read the current material before class.
Study hard and keep up every week.
Review all the math you've ever been taught, geometry, trig, etc.
Make the time to study and if you don't understand, ask. HAve agood understanding of Calc I and trip because you will use all of that info.
Pray that you have a good, no GREAT understanding of Calculus I and didn't just pass the Calc I class strictly on bonus points. Practice, practice, practice. Get with others who are struggling and read and re-read the problems.
Practice a lot from the exercises in the book and ask questions if you don't really understand the material.