Mathematics with Business Applications

Homework Hints

Homework Hints is a collection of tips on studying, memorization, and test preparation. Collected from students, these are the top hints that work for them. You will find 18 homework hints.

To choose the right ones for you, follow the steps below:

Step 1. On a sheet of paper, list three problems you have when you study.

Step 2. Take a look at the Homework Hints.

Step 3. Choose the top three hints you think will work for you and start using them.

Resources for more study tips:

hotmath.com

webmath.com

mathpower.com

Homework Hints

Active Association
Avoid Distractions
Break it Up
Eliminate Procrastination
Exercise
Get Some Rest
Go All Out
Mind Mapping
Mnemonics
Multicultural Music
Nutrition Tip
Scan Read
Short Attention Span
Technology Tip
Tell a Story
Test Prep
Tricks and Techniques
Write it Down

Active Association. Say you’re going to give a presentation and you want to memorize it. Move around your home. Start in your room for the beginning of the presentation, go to other rooms for the middle, then end up in the kitchen for the conclusion of your speech.  This memory association system isn’t new—philosophers in Ancient Greece and Rome would remember speeches by linking parts of the speech with parts of their homes. This makes it easy for you as you can mentally take a tour of your home while recalling your presentation. This method works for other studying, too.
- Wayne Rasmussen

Avoid Distractions. Separate yourself from any and all distractions in order to study and complete your assignments. Going to the library really helps because you get a lot of work done. It has resources that are easily available if you need them.
- Kelsea Kanahele

Break It Up. To memorize a lot of information, break it up into small groups. Also, writing it out for yourself helps your memory by writing and seeing the words.
- Shefali Parekh

Eliminate Procrastination. When you have a large project or paper with a seemingly distant deadline, set mini deadlines at regular intervals and keep to them. By working the project into a regular schedule, it becomes part of your weekly routine. This way it’s possible to eliminate procrastination. For example, if the deadline is two weeks away set aside an hour every day or every other day. You’ll complete higher quality work, without as much last-minute stress.
- Ariane White

Exercise. Exercise is very important. You often think you’re too tired or don't have time, but twenty to thirty minutes of exercise will wake you up and give you the energy to get some serious work done. If you're going to take a break from studying, exercise first to keep your brain active.
- Mayukh Bose

Get Some Rest. Study for a test by revising the work for the particular subject over a few days preceding the test. That way if you have any problems you have time to ask for help. On the night before the test you can concentrate on what you are being tested on rather than trying to figure out how to solve a problem. A good night sleep is also important. Rather go to sleep if it's getting late and you can't keep your eyes open, then wake up early for any short-term memorization.
- Robert Salucci

Go All Out. Outstanding athletes, star performers, skilled musicians—what’s their secret of success? They go all out. To be an excellent student, go all out! This doesn’t just apply to homework, quizzes, and tests, but also to all areas of your life. Your attitude makes all the difference. Start now and go all out for lifelong learning.
- Meetal Gandhi

Mind Mapping. Use mind maps, such as drawing an oval in the middle of the page for the main topic, then drawing spokes to other ovals. Write subtopics in the branched ovals. It’s a great visual learning activity for getting your right brain working and increasing your comprehension, creativity, and recall. For example, I draw a map for each chapter, with the chapter title in the middle. Then I write the chapter headings in ovals around. You can also use mind mapping for notes and planning essays.
- Pauline Holloway

Mnemonics. Often, the best way to remember a word, a phrase, or a presentation is to create a mnemonic device. Use acronyms, such as scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus). Make up your own. Unusual or humorous acronyms and associations are easier to remember. Use rhymes and rhythms, such as rap. Many people learn to spell Mississippi by emphasizing all the i’s to make the word rhythmic.
- Louie Siongco

Multicultural Music. Listen to music in another language while you’re studying. This way it helps you relax and focus but you’re not distracted by the words.
- Darren Shinichiro Endo

Nutrition Tip. It’s always good to have breakfast in the morning and eat fruit before the exam to give you a quick boost.
- Laurice Alaan

Scan Read. Always scan through an article or chapter you’re about to read. Ask yourself questions such as: What’s the main point? What makes this happen? What are the important words? Look for things that catch your eye to get a feel for what you’re about to read. For example, I'll often start reading in the middle of a chapter and then come back to the beginning. Knowing where you're headed makes getting there all the easier. I've found I learn more when I do this.
- Matthew Arnold

Short Attention Span. If you know your attention span is short, study in short time segments of 15, 20, or 30 minutes. Take a short break and then get right back to studying. If you’ve got chores to do, such as laundry, list them for your short breaks. Keep to your study and break plan. This way you feel good about yourself and feel good about what you’re accomplishing.
- Irene Barnard

Technology Tip. A good study strategy is to rewrite the notes you take in class using a software program designed for mind mapping and outlining. Outlines can be viewed as a map. It’s often easier to see how main ideas are related to one another and to sub-topics when you see them as a map. This software is also good for preparing essays. You can review materials and focus on the main idea and supporting topic sentences. If you search on the Internet you can find many sample outline and mind-mapping programs.
- Suzanne Feit

Tell a Story. Get into small study groups and go through the material together. By teaching each other and telling the story to someone else, you know you've learned the material well. Develop quizzes and test each other. Success in the world of work relies on team skills. Studying in a group helps you learn to get along with different people.
- Vicki Yang

Test Prep. Review all your notes and materials three to five days before the exam. Then you can have questions ready ahead of time to ask your teacher or classmates.
- Betty Ta

Tricks and Techniques.

Memorizing. Write definitions over and over again on a piece of paper or type them on a computer. The repetition works well and helps with memorizing.

Studying. Being in an uncomfortable environment helps with studying. Sit up or stand. You might get sleepy if you’re too comfortable (i.e., sitting on a bed).

Organization. Use tabs to organize notes for quick reference. Keep a schedule book, or a planner. Make your due dates and assignments noticeable on a calendar.

Food. Keep something small next to you so you can munch on it while you study. Sometimes when you are hungry for something, you waste your time preparing food and cleaning up.
- Minh Tong

Write it Down. Create a master list of all the formulas in a particular subject. Use this as a study aid. For a particular difficult formula that you can't remember, review your study aid to read the formula right before the test is handed out and then immediately write the formula down somewhere on the answer sheet.
- Ronnie Purnell