I asked students who scored 90% or above in my first test in a required Year 3 Numerical Methods course to share their study methods and class attendance records. Several shared their views. This information may be useful for anyone looking to improve their performance.
I teach the class in a blended format, with about one-third of the class time dedicated to active learning activities such as clickers and exercises. Before attending class, content from prerequisite courses is completed online. Students complete short-graded LMS quizzes at home after attending class and reading the corresponding textbook content.
At the end of each of the 30 chapters in the textbook, six multiple-choice questions are available, along with a complete solution online (these are ungraded and not required to be submitted). Additionally, 6-10 questions in a problem set with only the final answer provided (also ungraded and not required to be submitted).
The grading scheme is as follows: 20% for LMS quizzes, 45% for three tests, 10% for two computer projects, 5% for a concept test, and 20% for a comprehensive final examination.
Summary of responses:
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- Class Attendance and Assignments: Attending classes and completing assignments can be highly advantageous. It allows you to have someone explain concepts directly, enabling you to ask questions and resolve any uncertainties. Reviewing your class notes and working on quiz problems can also reinforce your grasp of the material.
- Post-Class Quizzes, MC Assessments, Problem Sets: Promptly finishing post-class quizzes and examining any errors to understand mistakes can be very effective. Taking optional multiple-choice assessments and focusing on comprehending the methods rather than just copying steps can help retain the information better. Working through end-of-chapter multiple-choice and free-response sections and quizzes can prepare you well for exams.
- Self-Study with Textbook and Flashcards: If you prefer studying independently, using the textbook, making notes, employing flashcards for formulas, and reviewing problem sets and quizzes for each chapter can be beneficial.
- Review Sheets and Practice Problems: It can be helpful to create review sheets while going through textbook sections, completing practice tests, and revisiting problem sets. Multiple-choice questions that involve logical steps can be beneficial.
- Notes and Problem Sets: It can be effective to utilize notes from textbook chapters and class lectures and complete problem sets and multiple-choice questions after fully understanding your notes.
Individual responses (edited lightly for clarity):
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- I believe that the result comes mainly from coming to class and doing the assignments. I have already realized that I learn best when someone explains a concept to me, so attending class is very important. I also take that opportunity to ask and clarify any questions I have. Also, I see I retain information better with practice, so I try to solve and understand all quiz problems as best as possible. Also, I always review the notes and problems we have done in class and try to replicate them. I hope that helps,
- For class attendance, I have attended every class, and I believe I missed one Friday session. For my studying method, I make sure to do the post-class quizzes on time. I also use them to study by going back to my failed attempts and trying to understand what I got wrong. My studying consisted mainly of that and doing the optional 6-question MC assessments where I would take them as if they were a quiz and then check my answers and again understand the ones I got wrong. I did this for the week prior to the exam, usually less than an hour per day but with more time spent on the last 2 days. I challenged myself to understand the methods rather than just copying the steps as I found this would allow the matter to stick, and then I could adapt when a problem looked slightly different from the practice.
- I don’t attend class because I like learning in my own space (Kaw does not recommend this approach as you miss out on learning, especially if you are doing poorly – coming to class is more than making an A). However, I read the textbook, take notes, use flashcards to remember formulas and important information, and review the problem sets and quizzes for each chapter.
- I made 6 sheets of review while reading over all the textbook sections in the exam syllabus. I first did the practice test, then completed the remaining problem sets that I had forgotten to do until then, and then I made this review document. I only took notes on sections that I had doubts about. Regarding my study methods, I feel that your textbook was most helpful to me. I didn’t need much beyond reading every section, paying attention to your lectures, and reinforcing with the practice problems. The most helpful aspect is the Multiple-Choice questions that show both answers and the logical steps. I think showing problems worked out with logic is the most beneficial thing to ensure I’m not missing anything.
- I went through each of the end-of-chapter multiple-choice and free-response sections. I found those and the quizzes good enough to prepare me for the exam.
- I’ve been there for most of the classes. To study, I just used notes from the textbook chapter you provided in each module, and I’d also check the notes you gave in class to ensure that I didn’t miss anything. After reading and understanding those notes for a module, I’d do the problem set and multiple-choice questions you gave. That was all I did.