Here is a 5 Step Method That is Helping Students Pass College Algebra

Algebra is one of the most challenging courses for many students. College Algebra tends to move very quickly and you can be left trying to play catch up throughout the course. If you want to pass the course and do well, you have to have a strong strategy in place. Here is a 5-step method that you can follow to ensure you do well:

1. Set Aside a 30 Minutes to an Hour for Review Every Day

One of the best ways to make sure you actually learn what was taught in the class is to review what you’ve learned at the end of the day. This will help you solidify what you’ve learned and as well as build a strong foundation. If you forget what you’ve learned, you have to deal with the new information in the next class while trying to catch up with the information you learned in previous classes.

This will be very difficult to deal with as there is a linear progression in algebra. New material is built on the older material. Setting aside 30 minutes to an hour a day to review the material will make sure that you stay on track with the progression.

2. Memorize and Practice the Formulas

Algebra requires the use of many formulas. That’s why it’s important to memorize all the formulas. Create a list of formulas in your notes for specific types of problems. But don’t just memorize the formulas. You want to practice applying the formulas on different types of problems so that you know when and how to use them.

3. Study the Solutions

In many college textbooks, there is a solutions section or separate manual that breaks down how each problem is solved. It often helps to review the solutions so that you can analyze each step and read the explanations for the steps. Many students also find it helpful to reverse engineer the solution.

4. Get Tutoring

Many colleges have free tutoring centers, so you want to take advantage of these services. Rather than getting generic help with homework, you should schedule tutoring sessions for the topics you’re having trouble with. This will help you maximize the time you get with your tutor.

5. Keep Practicing Problems

The key to really mastering algebra is repetition. This is done by practicing different problems repeatedly until you feel confident about a specific topic. Don’t stop at the homework assignment you’re given. You can find practice exercises in textbooks and online printouts. Keep practicing the problems until you feel like you’ll be able to solve them without any issues in a test environment.

Bonus: Do the Homework

Most professors will assign homework but only a few will check that you did them. Even if homework is not required, you want to do it for practice purposes. In addition, many professors will build their tests based on the homework they’ve given out.

Following this five-step method will put you on track of not only passing College Algebra but also getting high marks in the course. This is a simple strategy that anyone can follow. All you have to do is dedicate your time and energy to executing it.