How to succeed in A221?

Attend Lecture.

This should be a "no-brainer." Attending class is the easiest way to learn the material. All you have to do is sit back, relax (and take notes), and all will be revealed. OK, so your professor may not be as entertaining as a re-run of Friends, but she does want you to learn the material, and will make significant effort to present the material in a clear, logical manner. Also, some of the material covered in this class is not in your textbook.

Study!

For every hour in class, expect to spend approximately 3 hours outside of class (i.e., approximately 10 hours per week for this class alone). How to use this time?

  • Do the homework. Not only will this automatically improve your grade (since you'll be earning points for successfully completing the homework), you will have the opportunity to practice your problem solving skills. When completing the homework, show your work. Homework will be graded on clarity of thought in addition to whether or not you reached the correct answer.

  • Read the book prior to class. Come to class prepared to ask questions about material that seems confusing.

  • Practice solving problems. Solve other problems from the book. Create questions for your study group. Solve questions posed by your study group.

  • Re-write your notes, filling in the gaps with material from the textbook.

  • Write notecards and quiz yourself. While this class emphasizes problem solving, a small fraction of the exams will be based on general knowledge of the solar system.

    Prepare for the exams.

    This is a problem solving class. The exams will be structured similar to your homework, with a small section on "just the facts," and longer sections that will require calculations. Calculators are permitted. The best way to study for these exams is to practice the homework problems and the in-class exercises. Do not just memorize facts. The exams will primarily test your problem solving skills.