Can I Get an A- in Any Class with These Strategies?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on strategies and techniques that participants believe can help achieve at least an A- in any given class. The scope includes study habits, time management, collaboration, and prerequisite knowledge necessary for success in academic courses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest spending the required amount of time on homework and studying, attending office hours, and getting adequate sleep.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of thoroughly studying the course material multiple times and completing all homework problems and exercises.
  • Another participant notes that having a strong foundation in prerequisite knowledge is crucial, citing examples of students struggling in advanced courses due to gaps in earlier subjects.
  • Some participants advise against looking at answer keys too early, suggesting that making mistakes without seeking immediate solutions can be beneficial for learning.
  • Collaboration with peers is recommended, but only after individuals have made a substantial effort to solve problems independently.
  • A participant stresses the importance of attending every class, completing all readings and homework, and understanding theorems and proofs presented in class.
  • Reviewing past exams from the course is also mentioned as a useful strategy for preparation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a variety of strategies, and while there is some overlap in recommendations, no consensus is reached on a singular approach or set of techniques that guarantees an A-. The discussion reflects multiple viewpoints and strategies without resolving which is most effective.

Contextual Notes

Some strategies depend on individual learning styles and course specifics, and the effectiveness of these approaches may vary based on personal circumstances and academic disciplines.

CmSmith
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What're the best strategies or techniques you've used in order to get at least an A- in any given class?
 
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Hmm. My best advice:
Spend the required amount of time doing homework and studying.
Go to office hours, study sessions, and/or get with others to study.
Get plenty of sleep.
 
CmSmith said:
What're the best strategies or techniques you've used in order to get at least an A- in any given class?
Study the course thoroughly one whole time before studying it again. This worked for me! Yes, this includes doing all the "homework" problems and exercises that you can BOTH times, and doing any example problems given along the sections of the course in the book.

Something more to consider, is to be sure you are strong in the prerequisite knowledge for the course you wish to have "A-" in. Why would some students earn F or D their first time taking something like Calculus 1 ? Because they may be weak in either some of their Algebra 2 or their Trigonometry, OR BOTH. Why would a student earn D or F in something like Calculus 2? Because they may be weak in some of their Calculus 1 knowledge.
 
Don't look at the answer keys. It's better to get a problem set question wrong than look for solutions before you're finished.

Also, collaborate with your friends only AFTER you have made a good effort to finish all the problems in your problem set.
 
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have the prerequisites. go to every class. do all the reading. do all the homework. go to office hours with questions. learn every theorem and proof given in class and practice writing them out. review old copies of past exams from the course and work all of them.
 
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