Study Resources
Types of Study Resources
- Khan Academy: Online videos explaining many academic subjects (including math and statistics) in short videos
- Wolfram Alpha: An online search engine that includes information about mathematics and statistics and solves problems as well. Warning: Be careful not to become dependent on this site. You won't have it for your exams!
- Desmos: Online and interactive graphing
- Paul's Online Math Notes
- Organic Chemistry Tutor on Youtube
- 3blue1brown on Youtube
- MichaelPennMath on Youtube
- ProfessorLeonard on Youtube
- OSU Library Math Resources: Math resources put together by the OSU library
Success at OSU starts with doing well in classes. But, some of the strategies that worked in high school may not work in college.
Dennis Learning Center Study Strategies Workshops
College is Challenging
- College courses move faster. They cover as much material in one semester as might be covered in a whole year in high school.
- The material college students will be learning is more complex and challenging.
- Instructors expect students to work and learn more independently.
- Incoming students find the strategies that worked in high school no longer work in college.
Work Smart
- Do it today, not tomorrow. Putting off work is the number one problem that gets students in trouble.
- Use time wisely. You won't learn unless you put in the time, but you should use your time to greatest effect.
- Use the study strategies that work.
Get Expert Feedback
- Ask questions in class. If one student has a question, chances are other students do, too. Be brave. Ask. It's the best way to learn.
- Visit your instructor during their office hours. If something in a lecture or the textbook isn't clear, or if you have a question about an assignment, go to office hours. Instructors hold them to help students.
- Take advantage of the experts at the MSLC. Our tutors in math and statistics go through special training in order to effectively identify and help you with your math difficulties.
Visit the MSLC Early and Often
We get busy, especially around midterms and at the end of the semester. Students who visit early get the most one-on-one time, and have enough lead-time to let material sink in.
- Establish a routine. Visit the MSLC a couple of hours every week. Don't wait till the day of the exam. Students can't learn the whole course in one day.
- Be a repeat visitor. Students can come to the MSLC every day!
Math Advisors
The Math Advisors are available for assistance in the following areas:
- Evaluation of transfer credit
- Arrangements for proficiency exams
- Math Course changes
- Information on math placement and testing
- Information on the requirements for the various programs in math
Academic Support Services
Homework
- Make sure to do practice problems of varying difficulty.
- Start homework early to give yourself time to find any points of confusion.
- Try doing homework without notes. It is okay to struggle and think it through yourself! If you are still stuck after a little while, look for help in notes/resources.
- If you used notes or other resources to complete a problem, try it or a similar problem without notes to help retain understanding. Finding a solution for a similar difficult problem is only useful if you make sure to learn and understand the steps instead of just substituting numbers in.
Studying
- Complete practice exams with a timer and no resources to get an accurate assessment of your progress. Only look at solutions after you attempt the exam on your own.
- See if you can explain the topics that will be on your exam to someone else.
- Write down a summary of each topic that will be on your exam to allow yourself to explain your understanding.
- Set limits on screentime during your study time. Fully focused studying for a short period of time will be more effective than distracted studying for longer.
- Start studying for exams early! Don't do the majority of your studying the night before.
- Make flashcards of the important topics after class.
Taking Notes
- Read the notes beforehand if they are posted ahead of time. Write down questions and see if you can get the answers.
- Be an active notetaker: try to anticipate what's going to happen and check for errors. Take note of any questions you may have.
- Review notes afterward to consolidate your learning and clear up any questions from class.