"How can I improve my grade?"

First: there is NO such thing as extra credit in my class!  So your focus should be on improving your test score.  To do so, ask yourself the following questions:

• Which course did the Math Placement Nomograph recommend I start in?

    Hopefully you saw this nomograph at your New Student Conference.  If not, check it now.  If it said (then or now) that you should start in MATH 150, you are probably in over your head and will have to do A LOT more work to try to catch up.  For precalculus review, I recommend these MATH 150 WIR videos.  Of course, I am also always available to discuss precalculus issues as well as course content issues.

• How many days of class/lab have I missed?

  I have given 2 in-class quizzes, which are basically replacement grades for low recitation quizzes.  Not only do students who miss class not take advantage of these replacement grades, with one or two exceptions, all students who missed both in-class quizzes failed the exam (some quite significantly!).  I suspect this is not a coincidence.  Even though I post completed notes online, it is much more advantageous to see explanations and examples worked out in real time, rather than just reading the finished product.  The solution here is easy-DON'T MISS CLASS!

•  How much of the suggested homework did I do, and when did I start doing it?

  I've stated in class before-you may understand something when watching me work a problem, but you don't get a grade based on how well you watch somebody else work a problem!  Mathematics must be approached actively.  The more problems you work, the more you understand, AND the more likely you are to see a familiar problem on future exams.  The best time to start working suggested homework is as soon after I complete a section as possible.  Studying for twenty hours does you NO GOOD if it's all done during the 1-2 days before the exam!

• How much help did I look at while doing homework?

  This would include notes, textbook, SOLUTIONS MANUAL, a tutor, or even someone else's homework.  There is nothing wrong with using help when you are first practicing a concept, but you should eventually be able to work problems without looking at ANY help resources.  Even if you need just one hint to get started and can do everything else, you cannot show me "everything else" unless you make that first step.  And, of course, on an exam, you will not be looking at anything to get you started.

• How confident/comfortable did I feel while working on the exam?

  If you can do the homework on your own with no trouble, but feel anxious or unsure of yourself during the exam, the issue could be as small as a lack of confidence or as large as a Math/Test Anxiety Disability.  The best way to deal with the former is, in the days before future exams, simulate the exam environment as much as possible using Past Common Exams.  Pretend as much as possible that it's the real thing, and that might reduce anxiety during the real thing.  Plus, if you do well in the simulation, use that to give yourself confidence during the exam (keep reminding yourself that you can do this!)  If you feel the issue is serious enough to consider modifications through the disability office, contact them via their website at disability.tamu.edu.

Remember the following helpful resources:  1) My office hours, 2) Help Sessions, 3) Week in Review (live and online versions), 4) personal tutoring (only AFTER you have tried all the other FREE help listed here!  The math office in Blocker 601 publishes a list of private tutors, but they do not work for the department; arrangements must be made with the individuals).