1.

MATH WORK

Do the math work in each section (BUT this is obviously not enough for every student).

NOTES

Make notes on each section:

1. Write down important concepts taught in the section.
2. Write any theorems or words that should be memorized.
3. Analyze each example:
   • Look at EVERY step needed to get the example right.
   • Write in notes specific things you learn from the examples.
     

3.

END OF CHAPTER REVIEW

Do the textbook's "Study Guide and Review" or whatever is at the end of the chapter:

1. Use the summaries to add anything to your notes.
2. Do the problems in this review section.
   

COMPARISON CHART

Make a comparison chart--some problems seem similar, but require different strategies to solve.  Compare the steps to solve various problems--look at what the different steps are, when you use a certain theorem or concept.  This kind of comparison will help you stop mixing up when to do certain things.

MEMORIZE

1. Make a list of specific items that you must know (formulas, theorems, procedures, or key concepts), and memorize each one.  
2. Also, you are well advised to memorize when and why to use these formulas, theorems, procedures, or key concepts.

   Ideas to help you memorize:

• Try to match the specific item with how it is used in problems. Use logic, mnemonic tricks, or anything that helps you remember it.
• Do not wait until a day or two before the test.  You should start memorizing certain things a couple of weeks beforehand.
• Every day, test yourself on knowing the item and when and why to use it.
• One thing that works very well for some people is using index cards to make flip cards or note cards, and using those to constantly review terms or concepts or other information to memorize.

PRACTICE TEST OR STUDY GUIDE (Depending on what your teacher provides.)

Analyze each question or example

1. Break down the question or example, looking carefully at every step needed to do it.
2. Make sure you understand how and why each step was done.
3. Use the Note-Taking form provided by the teacher (or make your own) to write down specific things you need to remember to do that type of problem.

7.

PREPARE YOUR OWN TEST

1. Take one of each type of problem from the textbook.
2. Try to do each problem&emdash;without any help at all (no notes, not looking at the textbook, etc.)
3. When finished, check your answers.
4. Now treat this like you were going to do a retest:
   1. Write out the correct way to do each problem you had wrong.
   2. Write out, in a sentence, what your mistake was.
   3. Study those problems in particular, making sure you memorize what you need to remember in order to do them right the next time.

8.

TEACH IT

Teach someone else how to do these problems, or how to use the concepts.  Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to really know what you are doing.

REMEMBER THE BEGINNING

Be careful not to forget things from early in the chapter&emdash;it might have been a couple of weeks since you did something.  You knew it then, but forgot it because there were so many new things.  So go back and review again, and remember that some things in the early sections have to be used as part of a problem in a later section.

INTERNET LINKS

Website with some study skills links:    http://pilgrimandpatriot.com/mathStudySkills.htm