During the year
A qualification in mathematics should never be considered an easy option. The first thing that you notice about your course is that there is a lot of information that you need to be given in what is actually a short period of time! You will be given homework to complete in each topic, but please don’t fall into the trap of believing that once a topic has been taught you will be able to leave it until your final revision period. You should remember that maths is a subject where everything that you learn, particularly in the first couple of months, will be used again and again in the rest of the course. There is no need to panic though! Methods that have worked for students in the past (including your teachers) include:-
Ø Write each formula that you are given in a notebook or on an index card and keep them handy. That way, when you need them, they will be within easy reach and you will be able to learn them more quickly. It is also worth spending some time every week memorising them – it is surprising how knowing formulae helps you to spot the best method of solving a problem!
Ø You may also find it helpful to re-write your notes after a lesson. That way you can add any comments you find useful, or work through examples again.
Ø Make sure that you do your homework on the day it is handed out. This will give you time to get help with it if you are stuck.
Ø Don’t be nervous about asking questions, either in class or with your teacher on your own. It is always better to ask what may seem to be a silly question, if it helps, rather than thinking that you must be the only person who doesn’t understand a topic.
Ø Use textbooks and the library. If you are given one or two questions to hand in, it is a mistake to think that it will be enough for you to fully understand a topic. Remember that exercises are usually arranged so that the easier questions are at the beginning and the harder ones at the end. This means that if you find the questions at the beginning easy, you should have a go at the ones at the end of the exercise too.
If you keep up with your work, you should be able to achieve good results in all the tests and assessments you will be given during the year. Remember that how well you do is mostly down to your own efforts – your teachers will give you all the information you need and every opportunity to do well, but they cannot do everything for you!