Study Tips

(1) To-Do List
Make a to-do list of all topics you need to know. Be specific with smaller sections of each chapter listed. For instance, Section 1.1 Exponent Laws, Section 1.2 Logarithmic Functions. This will allow you to see in detail how much you have to study. It might feel overwhelming but each time you finish studying a topic you will have the satisfaction of seeing fewer items left to do on your to-do list. After a few check marks, you will have the momentum on your side to get lots more done. You can make a digital to-do list so you don’t lose it or simply use paper and pencil but don’t lose it!

(2) Learn the easy topics first
This is especially important with the to-do list. You want to get some things out of the way to feel productive. The more difficult content might slow you down, make you feel unproductive and stressed to get work done. You can save that for later or ask someone for help. The important thing is not to waste time without making progress.

(3) Content first then practice
It’s much more efficient to try to understand the background to each topic and where things are headed and then attempt practice problems. I see especially amongst the weaker students, they get straight to practice and try to learn from there what they don’t know. This is not wise because there is a lot more to content than what a particular practice problem might ask.

(4) Quality over Quantity
Most of the time I would complete ½ to 2/3 of the assigned homework problems. I would go slower but pick some of the more difficult problems and ensure I understood what they were asking and what they could have asked instead. This is really important because you want to use each question to get to know more than what it’s asking you to do. Sometimes, I would think of several ways of approaching those challenging problems when possible to do so.

(5) Make Summary Sheet
This will always be my favourite study trick. I would make a short summary of the most important concepts of each unit. Typically, each 50 mins lecture could be summarized with about a half of a page of condensed notes. I would say you should devote one page both sides to making written notes on what’s important for that week. By the end of the semester you will have 20 to 26 pages of study notes to use for your final exam. You will not be wasting time going through your lecture notes sorting out what’s important. Keep digital copy in case you lose your physical copy.

(6) Teach someone what you learn
You will be doing someone else a huge favour by correctly explaining to them what you learned. They will appreciate it and it will also help you retain what you have learned.  Furthermore, if you can't explain it well enough you know you have work to do and don't fully understand it.  

(7) Practice with pen and paper
It’s no secret that mathematics tests are hand-written. So you want to get used to writing math. Write your steps fully. Don’t take lazy short-cuts. Pretend you are writing an actual test or exam. If you struggle writing solutions you know you have a lot of work ahead of you and can get done some serious studying.

(8) Self-Discipline
One key characteristic that stands out with successful people is their high level of self-discipline. You must get to studying even if you don’t feel like doing it. Put your emotions aside and review notes and study every week. Don’t wait to study 24 hours before a test to ensure you have adequate time to have some in-depth review of everything you need to know.