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Tips on how to excel in science and math classes… 1. Appearance isn’t everything. Know that just because someone appears confident doesn’t mean that they understand things better than you! 2. Explain it out loud. Talk to the people in your life (even your parents) about what you’re studying. Having to explain it out loud will help you remember it better, and it will help point out what you don’t understand. Sign up to tutor others; you’ll learn stuff much more deeply. 3. Plan your time. Start your work early. You’re much less likely to freak out and think you can’t do something if you know you have plenty of time. Make a study schedule and stick to it. Know what you can eliminate in your life if you get overwhelmed. 4. Ask questions! Get help! Talk to teachers, TA’s, friends, enemies. Form study groups; you can learn a lot more working with others. Remember that lots of people feel embarrassed when they don’t understand something; don’t let that stop you from asking! 5. Try, try again. Attack problems from multiple angles. Practice doing the hard stuff over and over. Don’t assume that you’re the problem when you can’t understand or solve something. 6. Know what’s expected of you in your classes. Understand what it means for a test to be “curved.” (Sometimes just failing less badly than everyone else means you actually do well!) Be sure to research what you are getting yourself into when you sign up for a class. Take risks, but don’t take ‘em all at once! |