Top ten things you can do to succeed in the exams/improve your grade

  1. (BY FAR The most important!) Attend class and take careful notes of the lectures – polish your notes (especially drawings) after class by referring to text. If you must miss a class get the "fill in" notes <<right away>> from someone else
  2. Read text material for each major topic before the lectures start. This will put you "on top of things"
  3. Study and know the meaning of all terms shown in bold in the text. These terms will almost certainly be on the exam in some form.
  4. If you are having a hard time grasping the lecture....  (a) sit in first 3 rows, and perhaps (b) buy and bring a digital voice recorder (~$30) and start it/place it on the front table during lecture.  The USB downloadable ones are best so you can transfer the WAV files to your computer
  5. Index your notes with divider tabs, by lecture so you can find relevant material
  6. Download lecture outlines PPT and lecture slide PDF  use these in your exam review
  7. Redraw "key figures" in your own hand -- you can then takes these into exams, and you'll know what they mean better!
  8. Come to the review session – 4:30-7:00 PM 2 days before the exam
  9. Form or join a study group, and then
  10. Get some rest before the exam! Don't cram all night....study in advance!