Math Success while Reducing Anxiety Workshop 1

Workshop Outline 2 MathCounseling  Register Right  Learning Styles  Mathematical Mindset  Managing Test Anxiety  Optimal Organization  Stress Reduction Techniques  Lasting through Lecture  32-Day Commitment  Homework Hints  Test-Taking Tips

Register Right Placement Tests Math 56 vs. Math 60 Math 100 vs. Math 110 Course Format Class Frequency and Meeting Time Grading Options Instructor Materials 3

Mathematical Mindset Math is a skills-based course Math is a language College vs. High School Be proactive and persistent 4

Optimal Organization Keep track of dates and deadlines Organizing a math notebook Using folders 5

How Organized Are You? 6 Is your organizational style good or bad? Think of 3 techniques you use (or habits you have) for staying organized. Make sure you feel in control.

Make the most of every day Don’t get organized, Stay Organized! Use an wall calendar Use your cell phone Make daily to do lists (post-its). Reward yourself for getting them done. Keep class material organized. separate notebooks for 7 School 8-12 Go to Math Lab 12-1 Work 2-6 ½ half Math homework English essay outline 1 load laundry ½ Math homework Reward 1 hour TV

How to Use Your Notebook Keep your notebook where you study Use folders or a smaller notebook for class Take 5 minutes to organize everyday After class Before homework After tests 8

Title Page for Your Notebook 9 If found return to: Sammy White Course: Math 15 Prealgebra. Instructor: Susie White. Phone: ext Office: NS-321. Office Hours: M W 12:30-1:30. T 10-12, Th 11:15-12:15 Class contacts: 1. John Smith Kate Jones Test scores: Final:

Lasting through Lecture Preview the material Prepare your mind and body Participate Take effective notes Reflect 10

Making the Most of Class Time 11 Do you get to class early? Where do you sit? Do you take notes? How much do you write? Develop positive habits and relationships.

Before Class Come to Class Prepared At a minimum, PREVIEW the: Section and Homework problems READ the section Flag important pages Be careful of copying down information Don’t over analyze examples before class Arrive early & get a good seat Near “good” students On the “good” side of the classroom Survey / read the book Do a 10 minute warm-up 12

During Class Take neat organized notes Listen, stay focused Work examples Participate Ask questions 13

Taking Notes During Class Top right corner: Date Book section # Page # Use abbreviations and symbols Work steps in the examples if you can Use personalized cues After Class Rework your notes, NOT rewrite. Add: Hi-lighting More personal clues More detail  Boxes  Bullets / Asterisks  Underline  Keywords  Color code  Call outs 14

Personalized Notes 15

After Class Read the section Rework flags Analyze the examples or work them Start the homework as soon as possible, before you leave campus. 16

Homework Hints Environment Timing Neatness Annotate Use your resources 17

How do you approach homework? 18 What steps do you take in doing your homework? When and where do you do your homework? How long does it take you to do your homework for a 1 hour math class? Do you do it all at once? What do you do if you get stuck? Spend more time reviewing homework and notes every day and less time “studying for the test.”

Homework is Your Practice Time Work someplace free from distractions Always use pencil. Keep your notes handy. CHECK YOUR ANSWERS If you make a mistake, circle the problem number, even if you figure it out. Take short breaks. Use the “10 minutes of frustration” rule – hi-light the problem number, write a note. Start before you leave school so you can GET HELP!!!  Office Hours  Math Lab, TLC Center  Library tutor 19

Practice Everyday Use two sessions  Work both hard and easy problems each session  Work every other problem assigned  Time yourself  You should be faster and make less mistakes during the second session  It will take less time to complete! Make it study friendly  Work neat, show all your work  Write notes to yourself  Make it easy to track mistakes  Add a final “note to self ” 20

Practice Smart Review your homework Make it study friendly  Work neat, show all your work  Write notes to yourself  Make it easy to track mistakes  Add a final “note to self” 21

Remember You Are In-control Stay organized Never throw anything away, file it Make the most of your time Do homework effectively Focus on learning Minimize the time you spend focused on the test 22

Test-Taking Tips Practice Test Review wording and terminology Avoid cramming Arrive prepared During the test After the test The final 23