1. The following suggestions are adapted from our textbook. Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 2nd Ed. (pp. xxiv – xxv, Prentice Hall, 2003) by Ron Larson and Betsy Farber How to be Successful in Statistics
2. “When you study statistics, the material you learn each day builds on material you learned previously. There are no shortcuts – you must keep up with your studies every day.” Ron Larson and Betsy Farber Authors of Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 2nd Ed.
3. Make a Plan Decide how much time outside of class you will devote to Statistics Decide how you will study and organize your binder Your first Quiz and Test grades will tell you about your efforts If your grades are not where you want them, you need to make some changes (increased study time, improving/modifying study skills, ect)
4. Prepare for Class Do your homework and review the material from the previous lesson Read the next section. Pay attention to definitions, formulas, and rules that are highlighted by the text. Reading ahead and preparing for class will help you comprehend the next lesson.
5. Attend Class Attendance is crucial to academic success! You should try to be here whenever possible. You should also be on time and ready to work. If you have to miss a class, please follow the procedures outlined in the class syllabus.
6. Participate in Class While you’re preparing for class, you should write down or make a note about any questions you have. During the next lesson, listen for the answers or ask your questions,
7. Take Notes Notes are your references! You should use them to complete your homework and study for tests and quizzes. Take notes in your style, but make sure that you can understand them when you go to use them later. If you need help with note taking please see me
8. Do Your Homework To be successful in statistics, you have to practice! The best time to do your homework is when the concepts are fresh in your mind. Research shows that when you practice as soon as possible after class, you are more likely to store information in your long term memory and thus more likely to be successful.
9. Find a Study Buddy It is helpful to work with others, whether you are the one being helped or the one helping someone else.
10. Keep up with the Work Warning!! Do not let yourself get behind in this class! If you are stuck, try reading your textbook, reviewing the examples from class, asking your study buddy, and reworking the problem. If you still can’t figure it out, be sure to ask about it during the next lesson. Remember: If you have trouble now and don’t get help, you will probably have trouble in later sections. Remember: if you were absent it is your responsibility to catch up and complete make – up work in a timely manner.
11. Prepare for the Tests and Quizzes Cramming will not work! To prepare for a chapter test, review the Chapter Summary, work the Review Exercises, take the Chapter Quiz and the sample Cumulative Test.
12. Taking Tests and Quizzes To avoid testing anxiety, prepare well in advance. While testing/quizzing, remember to read the directions, pace yourself, and check your work.
13. Learn from your Mistakes After the test/quiz, carefully look over your work and try to learn from your mistakes. Try to identify systematic or conceptual errors. If you are consistently making computational or careless errors, it means you need to be more diligent while testing and check your work.
