MCS-115 Finite Math
Suggestions from Previous Students

At the end of the semester, students were asked "What advice would you give to students taking this course in the future?" The suggestions come from two sections in Fall 2002 and two sections in Spring 2003. The most recent comments are first. The comments are unedited. Except when someone didn't answer the question, I didn't delete any, even when I disagreed. Here is what they had to say:

Keep an open mind, read the book

Be prepared for a variety of math levels.

Do homework in groups. *Review on your own before review sessions so you can ask all of your questions and it's not just 2 people asking questions.*

Ask questions, take _all_ the notes so you have them to look over when reviewing for tests.

I would tell them to take all the notes that you write on the board, they help on homework and on tests.

Read over material in book and work with others. Ask questions

Be open to some different concepts and abstract thinking in regards to math.

Don't wait until the last night to do the homework!

Know that it is not your normal math class. It is not just a text w/equations but word problems.

It should be made clear that reading the book along the way is very important, it is not enough to simply listen in class. I wish I had realized the value in reading the chapters.

It is interesting and not as easy as it may seem.

Work on homework and study for tests with other people.

Stay caught up on your homework. If you don't understand, ask questions. Come to class everyday because you don't want to lose your bonus points.

Pick an interesting topic for the project. It'll make it more fun & less work. Also, never be afraid to say "I don't get it."

Go to class & keep up with all the work, pay attention & ask questions - just like any other class

Read the text book - you'll understand things twice as well.

Write down Questions they have & Don't be afraid to ask them

Go over homework solutions! Come prepared w/?s for Review Days!

Go to class because that is where you will learn the most.

The math is different - not what you think of as "typical" math - be open to it.

Pick an interesting topic for your paper, it makes it easier and more enjoyable

Stay with the homework assignments & if you have problems ask

keep all paper work organized from the start. It's hard to find old assignments & handouts if it's not organized.

Be here everyday, that way you won't miss any topics take notes

Do the HW! go to class!

Study the homework problems before the test.

To make sure they understand every aspect of what they are doing. not just know the gist of it, but know it all

To have fun with it, but pay attention in class & do your homework. Then tests will be easy!

Stay ahead an do all your homework.

Pay attention in class and don't be afraid to go to Moira's office hours for help/extra ?s.

attend class - especially with confusing material. class lectures help to further explain concepts & text.

Ask questions! It's not that bad.

Go on review days. Do your homework, don't copy

Just do the homework

Pay attention, its not _too_ basic

Enjoy it, but study for the tests

Study your homework, and read the chapters

Study for the tests

Don't expect to ace it unless you want to study a lot

Read the book carefully Pay attention to the examples in class

Pay a lot of attention to the examples given in class - they might not come back right away but they are almost always on the test.

read the book & take notes

Try to find ways that you can make objects so you have it to look at while doing the homework problems. Ask lots of questions before the exams.

Go to class, do your homework, and don't be afraid to go in for extra help.

Do the homework & ask questions.

Work together with other people because it's a good way to learn the material and understand it.

Keep up on your reading and pay attention in class

Just do the work - which is good advice for any class really.

I would advise them to read the book sections along with doing their problems (hopefully ahead of time) to cement the concepts in their mind.

I like doing homework in groups of people - I would encourage that for future students.

Do not try to think in a math way => new ways of thinking

It is not as easy as it sounds. Some of the topics are hard to understand. Coming to class to get explanations helps a lot

That this really isn't a math class and to study & read the materials

if you listen in class & do the h.w. you'll be fine

Work with a partner as much you can

Don't close off your mind. Just accept the abstract, it will be easier

Be ready for the 4th Dimension!!

Be open.

Pay attention in class & you'll do fine Do the homework

Work on Homework Problems & problems in the book for exams

if you put in some effort you will enjoy it and learn.

Do the extra credit, ask questions!

To really focus on the homework when preparing for the exams

all you math haters out there -> hang in there. Just have an optimistic attitude & do the homework

Have an open mind when coming to the class because it's not what I expected.

- don't miss class, you'll miss a lot!

Prepare for the test by studying w/another person.

pay attn. in class, read the book for help.

Don't give up, you will understand the 4th dimension - go in with an open mind

Things go better on tests when you've done the homework first.

- show up every day.

Read the book _before_ the material is covered in class - it makes the material so much easier to understand in the lectures.

go to class pay attention and take good notes. Come to class with an open mind

keep an open mind

Some concepts you might never understand like the 4th dimension - Thats OK - just let yourself not understand.

Don't miss often if at all.

Have an open mind, and definitely don't think the course is regular finite math.

go to class - it helps a lot and don't read the book

be ready, it's not normal math w/#s

Don't procrastinate, have fun with what is covered!

Be open-minded, some of the concepts are kind of far out there

Keep an open mind about math

Study hard for the tests, ask for help if you don't understand, right away

Do the homework problems they help out a lot

Be open minded

Study hard for the test no matter what you get on your homework

Helpful for learning math that's a little more useful

*Do the homework -> It will help you in the long run

Read the book. The authors are funny

be open minded

Advice I would give is to do your homework and pay attention in class. Also ask questions if you don't understand.

Be willing to look at math differently & take the course seriously, it's not easy.

make sure to be in class, the book is often hard to understand

Don't worry about feeling overwhelmed.