Improve your study habits through self-evaluation

(This page is linked to the Instructor's Comments on our homepage)

Below is the essential content of an open letter which sent out to those who failed one of the Tests in one past semester. I believe my suggestions in the letter may be of general interest. The same approach may be helpful to you.

Hi. According to our records you have received a failing grade on the Test. (If we have made a mistake please let me know. Also, if you believe that you are in good shape in this course, you need not read further.) At this stage you should be looking for ways to improve your performance in my class. Following "self-evaluation" procedures may be helpful to you.

Begin by identifying say, 3 problems from the Test which you have missed and/or you have found them difficult. Proceed to redo these selected problems, following the instructions below.

• You must do these problems on your own. Do not look up the solutions, and do not talk to other students.
• When you redo these problems,
  • the reference materials available to you are: the textbook, your notes, homework problems, the IQ questions, tutorial materials and the course summary.
  • Take as much time as needed to complete these problems.
• For each problem,
  • Step 1. Read the problem first. Identify the pertinent portion of reference materials which you should review.
  • Step 2. Study this portion of the materiasl until you believe you know what to do.
  • Step 3. Once you are done with the reference materials, you should set them aside. With the help of the course summary, proceed to do this problem.
  • Step 4. If you get stuck,
    • Stop working on the problem.
    • Study the reference materials, until you are ready.
    • Again put the reference materials aside, continue to do the exam problem.
• Since our exam is a closed book exam, it is important to follow the instruction in steps 3 and 4, that you close the reference materials first before working on the exam problem.
• Assume, you are able to complete the 3 exam problems which you have selected in the manner described above,. This indicates that you still have a chance to pass this course. Now here comes the crucial step which you must do.
  • Please recall before the test how you went through the portion of the reference materials pertinent to the selected problems. And notice during your retake how you paid attention to the specific points in the same portion of the materials which enabled you to understand what went on, and in turn enabled you to work out the problem.
  • Based on the various points you paid attention to during your retake, make up a checklist to remind yourself of the type of points you need to grasp in order to see what goes on, when preparing for an exam.
  • When you prepare for the next exam use your check list as a guide. Of course, you should refine and modify your checklist as you go along. It is your pro-active effort, which will help you to succeed in this course and to be successful in other courses in general.

I will be glad to review your retake-work and your checklist with you.

Your instructor,

Charles Chiu