How to Succeed in K-State Math Courses
The first step is to select a math course to take and make sure you have the prerequisites for it. To see what the prerequisites for a math course are, consult the K-State K-State Undergraduate Catalog which include the prerequisites for each of our math courses. To see if you are ready to take MATH 100 College Algebra or MATH 220 Calculus I, you can take a Math Placement exam at the Academic Assistance Center (101 Holton Hall, phone 532-6492). You can also test out of MATH 100 College Algebra, MATH 150 Plane Trigonometry, and MATH 220 Calculus I at the Academic Assistance Center and obtain Credit by Exam. You may find our Service Course Outlines and Exams and Supplemental Course Descriptions helpful in selecting a math course to take. You can ask your academic advisor for advice.There are four important differences between high school and college math courses. First, college level math classes are harder, and the higher you go the harder they get. Second, you will have much more homework, reading, and studying to do outside class. Third, you will have to maintain a high level of effort throughout the semester to succeed. Fourth, the basic math classes at K-State have large lectures taught by faculty and small recitations taught by faculty and graduate students.
Here are some general principles about math courses:
- Lectures will focus on covering the material and recitations will focus on working problems. Questions can be asked in recitation or in the help sessions described below.
- The key to doing well in math courses is regular practice at problem solving.
- It is essential that you keep up with the lectures and the homework assignments as new material will build upon earlier material.
- You should study at least 3 hours a week for each college credit, or about 45 hours a week for a full class load. To get an A, most students have to spend 15 hours a week or more on their math course, studying the material and doing problems.
- Attend every lecture and every recitation.
- You must show your work to receive full credit.
- Read the assigned text material before each lecture.
- Take notes during each lecture.
- Go over and rewrite your notes right after each lecture.
- Work as many problems as you can before each recitation class.
- Participate in recitation class by asking questions, volunteering answers et cetera.
- Reread the text material and your lecture notes and continue doing problems until you thoroughly understand the material.
- Write up, in good form, the problems that will be turned in, graded and returned.
- Correct any mistakes you made on previous homeworks and exams.
- Compile and review the important definitions, formulas, and theorems.
- Print out copies of Exams from Previous Semesters and practice taking old exams to check your mastery of the material and increase your thinking and problem solving speed.
The Academic Assistance Center provides free Tutoring in a variety of introductory courses and Walk-In Tutoring for several high-demand math courses. Students can sign up for tutoring in 101 Holton Hall. The only condition is that they have a tutor for the subject requested. Tutoring sessions are held at the Tutoring Center in 201 Leasure Hall (phone 532-5703). The Academic Assistance Center also offers Live Help Online for MATH 010 Intermediate Algebra, MATH 100 College Algebra, MATH 150 Plane Trigonometry, MATH 220 Calculus I, MATH 221 Calculus II, and MATH 221 Calculus III.
The Academic Assistance Center offers academic skills instruction and direct application of study techniques to targeted subjects. Students may enroll in the EDCEP 111 Enhanced University Experience Labs linked to MATH 010 Intermediate Algebra and MATH 100 College Algebra. A mathematics microcomputer laboratory is available for use by students enrolled in these Labs.
The Department of Housing and Dining Services offers Tutoring in MATH 100 College Algebra, MATH 150 Plane Trigonometry, MATH 220 Calculus I, MATH 221 Calculus II, MATH 222 Calculus III, MATH 240 Elementary Diferential Equations, and MATH 551 Applied Matrix Theory in the Academic Resource Centers in the Derby and Kramer Complexes.
Scholars Assisting Scholars (SAS) is a tutoring program that employs students to serve as a tutoring resource to students enrolled in MATH 220 Calculus I, MATH 221 Calculus II, and MATH 222 Calculus III. Students do not need to sign up for tutoring prior to a session. They can just show up when the tutors are available. Here are links to SAS Tutor schedules. SAS math tutoring sessions are held in the lounge area on the second floor of the Rathbone - Durland - Fiedler Complex.
Here are Calculator and Computer Recommendations for beginning students at K-State. Students can access the following software in the University Computing Labs in 1 Dickens Hall, 325 Justin Hall, 21 Nichols Hall, 22-25 Seaton Hall, Union Copy Center and Hale Library Information Commons:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- AutoCAD.
- Corel Presentations, Quatro Pro & WordPerfect.
- Java Tools.
- Mathematica.
- Matlab.
- Microsoft Access, Excel, Internet Explorer, PowerPoint, Windows NT & Word.
- Netscape Navigator.
- Quick Time.
- WinZip.
If you are having difficulty with the material or the problems in your math class, then seek help from your recitation instructor who will have regular office hours during which you can discuss your difficulties. You can seek additional help at the Mathematics Help Sessions . You also can look into the tutoring provided by the Academic Assistance Center, Scholars Assisting Scholars (SAS) program, and other programs described above.
If you are putting forth the maximum effort possible, but are still not succeeding in your math course, then you might consider asking your advisor about switching to a lower level math course. This should be done no later than right after the first major exam. If you miss the opportunity to switch to a lower level course, then remember that the deadline to withdraw from the course comes in the 10th week of the semester.