How should I study for the course?

 

This question is a frequent one and a difficult one to answer in any detail. You all have been studying for courses for over 12 years of your lives now, and each of you have your own style that seems to fit. So who am I to give advice?  Well, if you just got a 98 on my first test, you have your study skills pretty much in hand.  However, if you were more in the 20-50 point range, read on and use what works for you.

 

My first hint is to set up a routine that schedules you to work on astronomy about 15 hours every week, not counting 4-5 hours before each test.  Then stick to the routine.  In this time you should:

 

  1. Read each chapter before it is discussed in class.  Take notes, highlight, or do whatever works for you, to help you understand and remember. Since you need to do this to answer the homework this should fit in well with your schedule.
  2. Remember, the definitions of the terms are only the beginning of what you need to know. They are just the language used to describe the how and why nature works the way it does.
  3. Look at each figure, picture and table and ask yourself if you understand it. Could you explain it to a classmate?
  4. To test yourself about how a process works, ask yourself what would have to change to make it work differently (or not work at all).
  5. Open up the class lecture outline and see how it fits into what you just read. 
  6. Test yourself by answering some of the questions at the beginning and end of the chapter.  (I would do this in my head, but others might actually write the answers down or ask them back and forth in a study group.)
  7. Write down any of your questions that you have about the material in the reading, the outline or in attempting the questions.

 

Depending on the material and your ability this should take 5-10 hours per chapter.  Then:

 

  1. Come and listen to the lectures to: see if your understanding is correct, to see if you missed any material, to see if there is new material or new findings about the material and most importantly to ask questions when it doesn't make sense to you.
  2. If you take notes in class, after the class be sure to write down what you found out about the things you did not understand.
  3. Answer the questions posed in class. If you are understanding the material you should be getting over half the questions correct. If you aren't study more before class
  4. Do a quick review to make sure you have everything and have it organized so you can review just before the test.

 

Unless you have an amazing memory you will have to find a way to organize your notes or mark your book to help you review before tests.

 

Before a test, pick your favorite way to study: study group, reviewing the questions, looking at your notes, etc. Study hard, then get plenty of sleep!

 

 

Pitfalls:

Thinking the "Big Picture" and the "Summary of Key Concepts" sections in the chapters will answer all the questions.

Memorizing material without understanding the science behind it.

Using purchased lecture notes without checking to see if they are error free.

Getting answers to the practice questions and trying to memorize them.

Counting on "the curve" to make up for your lack of preparation.

 

 

IF YOU STILL STUGGLE WITH THE TESTS YOU NEED TO SEE ME FOR HELP. 

 

In my long experience, any student admitted to UGA can pass this course with enough work and the right help.