"You will never "find" time for anything.
If you want time you must make it."

Charles Buxton.

STUDY ADVICE TO STUDENTS

This study guide has been adapted from Dr. Robin Jordan's web site (FAU) and changed according to the needs of PHY2048 and PHY2049 taught by Dr. Viktor Jirsa. The topics covered are the following:

  1. The transistion to College - General advice
  2. A common problem
  3. Having trouble taking notes?
  4. How can I get a good test score?
  5. Hints on test taking

1. THE TRANSITION TO COLLEGE - GENERAL ADVICE

College is supposed to have more ambitious educational objectives than high school. To help you survive the change ... please take note of the following:

  1. This is not high school! The great majority of you, if you have not done so already, will have to discard high school notions of teaching and learning and replace them by university-level notions. This may be difficult; but it must happen sooner or later, so sooner is better! The goal in College is more than just getting you to reproduce what was told to you in the classroom.

  2. Expect to have material covered somewhat faster than the pace at high school. In addition, we aim for greater command of the material, especially the ability to apply what you have learned to new situations.

  3. Class time is at a premium, so it must be used efficiently. You cannot be taught everything in the classroom. It is your responsibility to learn the material. Most of this learning must take place outside of the classroom. So, you should be willing to put in something like two hours outside the classroom for each hour of class.

  4. My job is primarily to provide you with a framework - and with some of the particulars - to guide you in doing your learning of the concepts and methods that comprise the material of the course. It is not to program you with isolated facts and problem types nor simply to prepare you for exams.

  5. You should read the textbook for understanding. It gives the detailed account of the material of the course and contains examples of problems worked out, and these should be used to supplement those you see in the classroom and on the Web page for the course. I'm aware that the textbook is not a novel, so reading must often be slow-going and careful. However, there is the clear advantage that you can read it at your own pace. I would urge you to use pencil and paper to work through the material and to fill in any steps that are omitted.

  6. As for when and how to use the textbook, you have the following dichotomy:

    I believe that the advice under #6 is particularly important.

    2. A COMMON PROBLEM

    One of the biggest problems when studying is determining when you know the subject matter well enough! How do you know? When is well enough, "enough"? The first step is to define "well enough"; perhaps, it could be ... the ability to write down the information quickly, confidently and without ambiguity, i.e., getting to the "heart of the matter" without wandering all over the place. The second step is to develop procedures that test objectively whether you meet the criteria listed. In order to discover whether you know the material "well enough" you must challenge, i.e., test, yourself. It is absolutely necessary to do exercises beyond the homework questions given in class. Most of the questions provided in the textbook address similar problems presented in different ways. The logical line of thought will remain the same. Hence, do these questions! There are also several on-line practice tests (of 5 questions each) available.Set yourself a time limit for each one. This technique should make you aware of the areas you need to study more. And do it for each chapter! Also, try the brain "busters" and, as you should with a crossword puzzle, don't cheat by looking at the answers until you've made a genuine attempt to answer the questions!

    3. HAVING TROUBLE TAKING NOTES?

    If you have trouble taking complete notes, or are worried you have missed something important, I have the following suggestion:

    1. Consider using a tape recorder in class and promptly transcribing your notes on a word processor or re-writing the notes you did take so they make sense. Although this can be time-consuming, you will find that a good deal of information can be absorbed during the transcription process. You should aim to understand everything you write but if you can identify areas where you anticipate difficulties in a future review, then highlight them for further, detailed study when you review the material before a test.

      4. HOW CAN I GET A GOOD TEST SCORE?

      In my experience, the main cause for a poor test result is lack of proper preparation. It is essential that you prepare properly by devoting adequate time for study and review. I appreciate that it is difficult to make time but you will have to. You should discipline yourself to set aside time to "keep up" with the material; daily, if possible. Keeping up with the material means:

      • keeping your class notes up-to-date,
      • reading your class-notes together with the text book so you understand the material,
      • reviewing the "example" problems in the text book,
      • doing the homework problems,
      • trying the on-line practice tests and brain "busters" on the web-pages.
      It is a mistake to try to do all of this a day to two before a test ... consistent, routine study is the best preparation for a test. Here it is more important to maintain a steady level of studying, such as 1/2 hour six days a week, rather than slipping in 8-hour night shifts two days before the exam. I urge you to prepare a timetable for study, scheduling a definite time, and amount of time, to carry out each of the topics listed above ... and KEEP TO IT! Do not compromise; if you do happen to fall short one day because of some crisis, then be certain to make it up the next day. Don't go "hanging out", shopping, partying, etc., until you have done your studying. If you have other commitments, for example, a spouse or family, make sure they are aware of your study schedule and the need for you to study. Remember, most of you are hoping for some 40 years of potentially rewarding and satisfying professional work ahead of you ... all it takes is a few semesters of study. Don't screw it up at this stage of your careers by not studying!

      FURTHER HINTS ON PREPARATION:

      • Try studying in small groups: but make sure your group is made up of students who want to study.
        • Challenge each other and try never to leave a question unanswered.
        • Concentrate on setting up a solution to a problem rather than the actual calculation, i.e., the number crunching.
        • No pizza or beer until you've finished.

      • Make up a formula sheet: that is easy to read and understand. Make sure you understand what each symbol in an equation or formula means.

      • Be prepared!:
        • Sleep well before a test.
        • Allow sufficient time to arrive at the test on-time.

      • Practice!:
        • Try the on-line practice tests!

      If you do bomb a test then you must ask yourself whether you put in the proper amount of effort. Also, try to identify your weaknesses ... and it is important to be honest! If you did not prepare a study timetable or schedule, then do so straight away ... write it down ... stick it to your refrigerator or bulletin board at home ... and keep to it. If you do have a timetable then you should modify it so that you spend more time on your areas of weakness.

      If you do have problems studying please come and see me during office hours. However, you should realize that one of the first questions I will ask you is whether you have a study schedule!

      5. HINTS ON TEST TAKING

      Normally, tests will consist of two to three questions, and last for 60minutes. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of managing the time effectively ... if you do not, then you put yourself at a real disadvantage.

      • Think partial credit: try to put something down for each part of every problem you attempt. If you don't have time to solve a problem completely, write down what you would do if you had more time.
      • Give an organized presentation: if possible, always try to draw a figure, identify coordinate axes and assign names to variables. Such a presentation will help you to organize your thoughts and enable the grader to give you the credit you deserve. Realize that the grader has to be able to understand your lne of thought based on your writing. Also, once you have decided for a convention or notation, stick to it. Do not change it half way through the calculation.
      • Don't panic!: if you feel a panic attack coming on, put down your pencil, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and relax any tense muscles. When you are calm, return to the test.
      • If you have time, check your answers: make you saw each part of the questions you attempted. Check ... do your answers look reasonable?
      • Hand your paper in promptly when time is called: there is nothing that irritates an instructor more than to have to keep asking you to finish.

      I wish you GOOD LUCK
      and GREAT SUCCESS !!

 

To the Center for Complex Systems & Brain Sciences....