Guide to Doing Well in this Course

Before class:

  1. Read the text before class. You can see on the class web site what chapters will be covered.
  2. Go to the class web site and print out the slides for a class. Print them as handouts, 3 per page, in pure black/white (saves ink, easier to read).
  3. Listen to the business news on the way to school

During class:

  1. Participate.  Come to class with business news.  Ask/answer questions
  2. During class, write notes on the printouts you made. Make particular note of the topics I cover and those that I don't.  Participate in class; ask questions about things you don't understand.

During the week:

  1. After class, review your notes. 
  2. Study every day.  If you keep up, it will be a lot easier.  When studying, go over the notes you made on the printouts and be sure you understand them. If you don't, go back to the book and read the topic again, go to the Academic Support Center, or see me.
  3. Look at the lecture slides.  What questions might I ask about each one?  Think of the different ways to say things or ask questions.
  4. Try to explain the material to someone else (parents, a friend).  If you can explain it to someone else, you know the material.

Before an exam:

  1. You should start a week before and maybe pick a class each day to study in-depth.
  2. A day or two before an exam, you should have completed reviewing all the classes and you can concentrate on a final review. Continue to go over your notes on the slides. You should be able to skim them faster each time you go through them. You should not be seeing anything for the first time the day before an exam. Study right before going to bed but don't stay up too late. Get a good night's sleep.
  3. The day of the exam - skim over the notes on the slides.

Homeworks

1. Read what is required.  Take the weekly quiz.

2. Look at how I will grade the homework (the rubric in the homework assignment) and make sure you have all items covered.

3. Use tables for comparisons!

4. Be specific!  Don't just say things like "lots", "many", "huge", etc.  Give numbers.  As another example, don't say prices are low or cheap, say what the price is and what other prices are.

5. When doing analysis, put some thought into it.  Include concepts covered in class or from other courses or subjects.  Include data you've found by doing some research.

6. Make it look professional.

7. Start early and get it in on time.