Help!

Any time you have problems with the course work, deal with them right away. Don’t wait and let problems become insurmountable. Each session builds on previous sessions, and it is much easier to stay current than to let yourself fall behind and then have to catch up.

See also:  How to Succeed in Math

In-Person Help

Subject Matter

If something in class doesn’t make sense, ask about it right away. Questions are always welcome in class. Don’t be shy! Someone else probably has the same question as you.

You might want to make this resolution: never to leave the classroom with any question about that day’s material unanswered. The instructor can almost always answer questions after class.

The Baker Center for Learning in room 130 is an excellent place to study, and tutors are usually available to help you with course work. Call 844-8222 x 4414 to ask about math tutoring hours. No appointment is necessary. The Baker Center has copies of the required and optional texts.

The Baker Center is also on line via WebCT, during the hours when tutors are available, letting you “visit” the Baker Center from off campus. You can sign up for online tutoring by in person, by phone, or by email at bcl@tc3.edu.

Think seriously about forming a study group with other MATH201 students. Often you can clear up most of each other’s questions.

You can also see the instructor (time permitting) before or after class, or make an appointment for one-on-one time. Please see contact information in your course outline.

Study Skills

Having trouble with study skills? Feel like you know the material better than you can show it on tests? Stop by room 241, email rdg@tc3.edu, or phone 844-8222 x 4247 and make an appointment to see Rick Grossman. He is a specialist in study skills and test-taking skills and can help you improve your performance.

Print Materials

Very often if you’re stuck on a homework problem, a good technique is to look at the solution manual. Try to look at only the first line of the solution, and see if that gets you unstuck. If not, try just the next line, and so on. The Baker Center has copies of the solution manuals, and some are also on sale in the College bookstore.

When you do use the solution manual to help you solve a problem, that’s usually an indication that you need to work more problems of that type, even if no more were specifically assigned.

Internet Resources

Remember that the College tutoring center is available live on line; see “In-Person Help”, above.

A free email help desk is at www.tutoraid.org. I don’t have enough experience with it to know how valuable it is, but the concept is promising.

Check out the supplementary materials mentioned in your textbook.

Also you can find Internet resources in your favorite search engine, or visit Dr. Math’s Forum at Swarthmore mathforum.org/dr.math/.