Important Studying Tips: Part 2

Be an early bird:  Yes, I know some of you would say that studying in the evening when the house is silent is your prepared time. But research has repeatedly shown that there is no better time to study than in early morning. Even if you are not a morning person (Who is?) you'll find that that geometry problem you'd been struggling with the previous evening will seem much easier in the morning. Somehow the words seem clearer and you start working problems in record time. Yes, this is the miracle of starting in the morning. 

Get that information organized. Are your statistics worksheets still lying around in your lunchbox? Is that differentiation revision sheet under a bundle of underwear in the bathroom? Gluck trying to study from that!!! In short when you start studying you need to have all your info in one place. Organize your file and see that there are no holes in your notes; that every topic is updated and every correction done in class is filed just after the particular lesson. An organized box file = an organized mind = more efficiency during studying= you finish earlier and get out sooner!!

Make an effort to see a connection. No topic is an isolated bunch of information. In mathematics everything is connecting. If your studying Algebra, try going back to Geometry and understand that problems where you had x's instead of sides. Make a connection; understand why a Volume of a cylinder follows the same pattern as the volume of a cuboid; or why solving  a quadratic equation  is somehow related to that funny graph with a hump. When you reach this level, you'll be actually starting the transition towards that grade A! 

Reward yourself for studying. Plan something to look forward to once you're finished studying. Please do not quit sports, music, ballet, drama, or whatever you enjoyed doing before your final year. Do not let those Matsec monsters ruin your talent. HAVING A HOBBY IS PART OF THE STUDYING PROCESS BECAUSE IT FREES YOUR MIND!!!!!!!!! QUITTING YOUR HOBBY WILL NOT GET YOU A BETTER GRADE I PROMISE!!!!!

Make the end of your study session count. Your mind needs to connect the dots. You've just finished statistics? Good so remind yourself what mean, mode, median and range are and take that final glance at the histogram. You've succeded in working out your integration worksheet? Good now, make a list of all the possible types if integration. What's type 1, 2 or 3? Jot down some final notes and make the final connection. You'll get up from that seat knowing that you've progressed and quickly, your motivational level will rise and your maths-induced depression will lessen. 

Finally, Take good care of yourself. Healthy body, healthy mind. If you study till 2 in the morning on the even on the exam, I promise you, you will do badly next day. And if not the next day, you'll do badly in the day after. You've eaten a large Capriccosa Pizza before the exam? Great now you're in great position to take a nice nap and not go for a demanding exam. Do not undersleep and do not overeat.  Sleeping and eating are what fuels the body. Eat healthily and make sure that you have sufficient carbs and protein in your diet. Sleep for at least 8 hrs. Remember, studying is like a good workout (especially maths) you need all the fuel you can get!

These tips are sure to help you make the grade this school year. Get organized, stay focused and put forth a little effort and start your journey towards beating Matheamtics

Important Studying Tips: Part 1

Here are some study tips that Formath recommends:

Choose the best study spot. Light Light Light. I can't emphasize this more. Choose a spot in your house where there's a lot of light. Also make sure that you have the right posture: 

This is how you should sit.

This is how you shouldn't

Study a little bit every day:  Most people hate maths because they leave everything for the last week and then it becomes too much. Try to tackle every homework like a test. Time yourself. Say, for example, can I do an algebra excercise in 20 minutes? Can I work out this geometry worksheet in 10 minutes? In this way you'll be studying every day and, morever, you'll be able to understand the class correction far better. 

Study the most difficult topics first. You hate algebra? Fine start with it first. Oh, you hate geometry? Good, use your fresh brain to start with those volume problems and get that homework out of the way. Leaving maths for when you're tired will make things look harder than they are. 

Get rid of any distractions. Facebook? Off. Internet? Off (oh come on, I am sure you can do your maths homework with out it.) Fridge? Stay away from it. Studies have shown that lots of students increase weight during study time ( Believe me, I know from experience). Leave only study materials and get on with it. Place a deadline on yourself. Say I want to finish my homework or this topic in 1 hour. Then I'll go on to enjoy Facebook or Modern Warfare. 

Study with a friend or a group of friends when you can. Find some friends that actually care about doing well and organize a study group. Why not? Seeing others suffer like you will keep you going, that's a proven fact :) Also people have different strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes your buddy might get his algebra right but his geometry wrong, and you may be find geometry easy. Also, who knows, maybe you'll get to impress that girl you like by showing how smart you are ;)

Take short breaks when you're studying. That's why cramming is bad. Research has shown after the first two hours, the student usually understands from 30- 50% of what he or she is studying. In the first two hours the rate is more than 75%. Take a break, go jog, listen to music, play a video game or call a friend. Find something that distracts you, but do not think of your studies. Just relax for an hour. Than continue. 

Where to find ForMath?

 

Book Now and Beat the Mathematics Exam Next May!!

Here's what we offer at ForMath

Welcome to ForMath

Welcome to ForMath!! This is the start of your journey in which you will format your mind from everything you thought you knew about math and arm yourself with the right attitude and knowledge to beat the mathematics exam. It is not impossible to beat mathematics, in fact, if you follow a CONSISTENT ROUTINE, it can become quite easy. The course that ForMath provides is designed to guide you through this CONSISTENT ROUTINE. I am emphasizing this phrase because being consistent ( that is working regularly ) is precisely what you need to beat the exam. Following it well may mean that you not only pass but also get an amazing grade. If others have done it before you than so can you.
This course is different. No you will not be simply another number in my class. You will be one of our valued team mates with whom we will journey towards that dreaded exam date. Together we will start from scratch, understand all those stuff that maybe we've never learnt quite well in class We will work all the past papers, perhaps 3 times over. We will understand how to best tackle the examination questions; how to choose from where we start, how to pick up as much points as possible, how to know halfway through the exam that you've already passed. These are the little but vital tricks that you will learn by studying with ForMath. Online  quizes will be sent to you by email weekly; these will be designed for you: according to your needs and difficulties. You will have your own profile which will be updated weekly and the more I get to know you, the more I will be able to give you those exercises which fill in the gaps that have accumulated through the years. Don't worry if you're in form 5, form 3, or even starting the final year of your A'levels. I don't care if you got a bad grade in your last exam, hell I don't even care of you got a zero. If you format your mind from all that you think about the subject and start from scratch, I promise you that things will start getting better.
In conclusion,  If you hate maths, I will not guarantee that you'll start to like it. What I guarantee is that if you get on board with me and follow my simple guidelines you will start hate it a little bit less and month after month, you will start seeing the grades increases, and that crosses on your test sheet decreasing.
Remember that beating the mathematics exam requires specific skills: you can know the subject well and still do badly in your exams. Its called maths phobia, or simply, lack of preparation. I promise you that here at ForMath I will take that phobia away and yes, you too, next month, like so many have done before you, will beat the mathematics exam and move on with your life.

BEST OF LUCK!!!
J Cardona.