Advice from Students
"Do your homework, like actually. It might be long and annoying but it will prepare you better to ask questions and you won't feel like you don't know what's going on the next day. And ALWAYS write down the notes. Even if they didn't help you in the past years, they will help you now. Pre-calc is different. Get extra help whenever you can." - Ryann S.
"My advice to your students next year is that they actually do their homework when it is due. If you wait, you will not know what you have questions on before the test. Also come in before school and after school to get 1 on 1 attention - it actually helps!" - Katelyn K.
"My main advice would be to take good notes that you understand. Just because what the teacher has down is what the teacher understands, doesn't mean that's how you learn it. If there are things that stick out to you and that are particularly difficult write your own in detail notes to help you out. Another thing that is really helpful is asking questions. If you don't know something, do not be afraid to ask about it...odds are the answer will help you a lot. This goes for all levels of math but especially as you get up to advanced because the more advanced a class is the faster they go and if you do not know something you should speak up about it. My last little bit of advice is to always do your homework. The best way to master something is to practice it over and over and that is what the homework makes you do. At times, the homework may even be harder than what is required on the tests and quizzes - this prepares you for the hardest problems, in turn making the normal ones on tests and quizzes seem relatively easy." - Jaylen V.
"Personally, if I didn't know the content of what we were learning in class, I would recommend coming in before school or after school for 1:1 help. I would also suggest waiting until the end of the semester to do retakes on a test because you never know how you'll do on the next test and if you're quick to retake the first one, you won't have a chance to retake anymore, especially if the score of the second test is worse than the first test. I think what has helped me significantly in Pre-Calculus was taking advantage of coming in for help outside of class. Yes, it requires more time and energy; however, it pays off in the end. Ask for extra practice problems or worksheets to help you prepare for the test. Don't hesitate to ask questions! " - Lesley V.
"For students just starting out, I would say that they should keep their future success in mind because even though they may not use this math after they graduate, using it right now will help them towards graduation, which opens up many opportunities. A lot of students struggle with being motivated, so they just give up or don't try as hard, so staying motivated is key. It's important to pay attention and ask any question no matter how stupid it may seem. Doing homework is super important, it helps you practice what you learned. Some things you won't understand right away, but through practicing with the homework, it helps you understand the content a lot more and it's also a great time for asking questions on the things you still don't understand. One of the main things I struggled with, which isn't even that math related, is making mistakes or failing. It's ok to make mistakes because you learn from them and it's what helps you." - Alejandra G.
"I would advise you to be sure to keep up on your work. My experience has been that if you keep up on your work, keeping up in class shouldn't be too difficult. I would also advise you to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If you get lost and you remain lost for a long period of time, it can be extremely difficult to catch back up." - Mason O.
"In Pre-Calc you cannot procrastinate. If you hold your homework off for the day before the test you will not be successful. I did this freshman-senior year; the difference really shows up on the tests. I could get away with it even in Algebra 2, but Pre-Calc is a whole new world. You will likely need to come in for seminars, or ask questions after class too so you can fully understand the material. Notes help, but unlike every other year you cannot use them for quizzes. You must be committed and take time outside of school to prepare for assessments. There's only 1 retake per semester and failure to prepare quite literally will prepare you to fail. If you don't think you can spend 15-25 minutes doing your homework every night, or extra practice if it's offered, and willing to seek extra help; don't take this class. That being said, anyone is capable of passing this class with a good grade. You just need to commit the necessary effort." - Liam C.
"My advice to your students next year is that they actually do their homework when it is due. If you wait, you will not know what you have questions on before the test. Also come in before school and after school to get 1 on 1 attention - it actually helps!" - Katelyn K.
"My main advice would be to take good notes that you understand. Just because what the teacher has down is what the teacher understands, doesn't mean that's how you learn it. If there are things that stick out to you and that are particularly difficult write your own in detail notes to help you out. Another thing that is really helpful is asking questions. If you don't know something, do not be afraid to ask about it...odds are the answer will help you a lot. This goes for all levels of math but especially as you get up to advanced because the more advanced a class is the faster they go and if you do not know something you should speak up about it. My last little bit of advice is to always do your homework. The best way to master something is to practice it over and over and that is what the homework makes you do. At times, the homework may even be harder than what is required on the tests and quizzes - this prepares you for the hardest problems, in turn making the normal ones on tests and quizzes seem relatively easy." - Jaylen V.
"Personally, if I didn't know the content of what we were learning in class, I would recommend coming in before school or after school for 1:1 help. I would also suggest waiting until the end of the semester to do retakes on a test because you never know how you'll do on the next test and if you're quick to retake the first one, you won't have a chance to retake anymore, especially if the score of the second test is worse than the first test. I think what has helped me significantly in Pre-Calculus was taking advantage of coming in for help outside of class. Yes, it requires more time and energy; however, it pays off in the end. Ask for extra practice problems or worksheets to help you prepare for the test. Don't hesitate to ask questions! " - Lesley V.
"For students just starting out, I would say that they should keep their future success in mind because even though they may not use this math after they graduate, using it right now will help them towards graduation, which opens up many opportunities. A lot of students struggle with being motivated, so they just give up or don't try as hard, so staying motivated is key. It's important to pay attention and ask any question no matter how stupid it may seem. Doing homework is super important, it helps you practice what you learned. Some things you won't understand right away, but through practicing with the homework, it helps you understand the content a lot more and it's also a great time for asking questions on the things you still don't understand. One of the main things I struggled with, which isn't even that math related, is making mistakes or failing. It's ok to make mistakes because you learn from them and it's what helps you." - Alejandra G.
"I would advise you to be sure to keep up on your work. My experience has been that if you keep up on your work, keeping up in class shouldn't be too difficult. I would also advise you to not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. If you get lost and you remain lost for a long period of time, it can be extremely difficult to catch back up." - Mason O.
"In Pre-Calc you cannot procrastinate. If you hold your homework off for the day before the test you will not be successful. I did this freshman-senior year; the difference really shows up on the tests. I could get away with it even in Algebra 2, but Pre-Calc is a whole new world. You will likely need to come in for seminars, or ask questions after class too so you can fully understand the material. Notes help, but unlike every other year you cannot use them for quizzes. You must be committed and take time outside of school to prepare for assessments. There's only 1 retake per semester and failure to prepare quite literally will prepare you to fail. If you don't think you can spend 15-25 minutes doing your homework every night, or extra practice if it's offered, and willing to seek extra help; don't take this class. That being said, anyone is capable of passing this class with a good grade. You just need to commit the necessary effort." - Liam C.