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"What does it take to be successful in this class?"

How do you think Olympic marathoners prepare for the Olympics?

1. First Strategy
   1. Weeks & Months out: Sit around and eat double-fried bacon-wrapped grease-burgers
   2. The night before the race: go out and run 50 miles (one BIG workout is the prefect preparation!)
   3. The day of the race: show up to the start line straight from last night's 50 mile run.
2. Second Strategy
   1. Weeks & Months out: Train several times a week, on a regular schedule
   2. The night before the race: get some rest
   3. The day of the race: show up fresh to the start line.

How do you think successful students prepare for the Final?

1. First Strategy
   1. Weeks & Months out: facebook, twitter, snapchat, tinder
   2. The night before the final: all night study session
   3. The day of the final: show up over-caffeinated and exhausted to the final
2. Second Strategy
   1. Weeks & Months out: Study several times a week, on a regular schedule
   2. The night before the final: get some rest
   3. The day of the final: show up fresh to final.

OK, More Specifically...

There are quite a few "moving parts" in this class:

1. Make sure you check the three class-related web-sites frequently (at least once a week): terminus.sdsu.edu/SDSU/Math254, canvas.sdsu.edu, and webwork.sdsu.edu/webwork2/math-254-blomgren.
2. Review lecture notes / video after EVERY lecture, to and try to figure out what you understand, and more importantly, don't understand.
3. Stay on top of the homework! Note: Doing the online (webwork) homework is NOT ENOUGH. Do the "Suggested Problems" associated with each topic as well. — Watch the Learning Glass videos for hints / help; but resist the temptation to become a spectator!
4. Make use of
   1. Supplemental Instruction Meetings
   2. Office Hours (Professor and TA)
   3. Math Learning Center
5. Some External Ideas
6. Keep in mind that I have visited most of these websites