Make Some Math Magic

1. Get attitude – an I can rock this math attitude.  Studies have shown that we are not born with fixed IQs.  Some people are not simply “good at reading and bad at math,” as so many students believe.  Study after study has shown that our attitudes toward learning and good ol’ fashioned hard work are the most predictive indicators of success.  So adopt an “I will rock with this math course” mantra. 
2. Do every single homework problem.  A soccer player improves his game by playing soccer.  A guitar player sweetens his tune by strumming the strings.  A math student masters math….drum roll please…..by doing math.  Yes – DO math.  Your instructor assigns problems so you can practice and learn the concepts.
3. Think like a general. Generals are strategic in their problem solving.  Consider what type of math problem you are solving and think about the different strategies you can use to solve the problem.  MathTV shows how different students approach and solve the same problems differently.  Check out the site to learn different solving strategies. 
4. Be a neat-nick.  If you read a number incorrectly because you wrote in a hurry, your problem solving mojo will be thrown off.
5. Do all of the steps.  Yup.  All of them.  If you aren’t able to solve the problem correctly, it is easier to find the error when your thought process is on paper in black and white, or red and white, or blue and white – you get the point.
6. Know thyself.  If you struggle solving certain types of problems, determine where in the problem-solving process you are getting stuck. You are more likely to get the helpful stick you need to pull you out of the mud if you know what’s making you stuck. If you’re at home and you need some additional explanation to help you master a concept, check out Khan Academy.  This revolutionary website is approaching cult-like status among educators, techies, students and math lovers worldwide.  If there is a concept that needs explaining, Khan Academy has a short video that does the talking.

Five Things to Improve Your Grades

Below is a guest post from the author of Community College Success, Isa Adney. You can connect with her on Twitter @IsaAdney or Facebook.com/CCSuccess



One of my most popular YouTube videos is the one that shares what to do after you fail a test. I love the questions I receive in the comments section of the video because most come from students who are so eager to do well in college. 

I've met enough students who had GPA's of 1.0 their first try in college and who came back later - when they were motivated - and got 4.0's to know that grades are more about strategy and focus than any kind of inherent intelligence. 

Sometimes students struggle in classes simply because they don't have the right strategies.

And unless you're already easily getting a 4.0, there's probably more you can do to get better grades and limit stress (e.g. I never pulled an all-nighter).

So below are the top 5 strategies I used in college that helped me and so many others get straight-A's: 

1) Schedule daily [study] time
When I built my schedule each semester I purposefully left time in between classes to force myself to work in the [learning center]. As a commuter, it's hard to resist the temptation to just go to class and go home. Spacing classes out is a great way to make the most of your campus experience.

Create a block of time each day you're [at your academic center to spend in the learning center]. I was usually in the [learning center] for a few hours Monday-Thursday and it worked great. 

I never had to do homework at home, at night, or on the weekends. I never had to turn down friends to hang out because I had to study. I was always ahead, and it felt great.

Even if the [learning center] isn't your favorite place, dedicate yourself to spend time some place that motivates you to do your homework. Schedule it in and go without fail.

2) Use your professors' office hours
In addition to meeting with every professor as a potential mentor, I always talked to professors about big assignments and exams. 

For example, when assigned an essay I'd do my initial research and then come to the professor with any questions that came up and to run my thesis by him or her for feedback. 

I also brought my exams back. For example, when you get math or science exams back, check over the answers you got wrong; if you can't figure out why you got any one wrong, bring the exam to your professor and ask for help.

When you're diligent with this, professors are more than happy to help because they'll see your motivation. 

3) Choose classes (and a major) you really like
I'm sure it would have been possible, but I'm not as confident I would have gotten straight-A's if I'd taken calculus or organic chemistry. 

I chose a major I loved (communications), and when it came to science and math-based general education requirements, I chose only what I needed for my major (which I knew by checking the catalog of the transfer university I planned on attending).

When it came to requirements like history, I chose courses that truly fascinated me. 

Don't choose classes based on convenience. Choose them based on what you find interesting, and do your research. When you like a class it's so much easier to do well. 

4) Put syllabus reminders in a calendar
Stay on top of due dates and develop an organizational system that makes staying on top of assignments in multiple classes easy. My life saver was my palm pilot (lol I know, I know - I went to college before the iPhone, okay?) and Google calendar reminders sent to my phone (click here for how to set this up). 

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