Guidelines for Study

Success in Statistics

Organize Your Time
·	Set aside at least as much time as you are in lecture for studying statistics.
·	Study one concept at a time, taking study breaks to reward yourself once you have covered a particular topic.  This will give you time to think about what you have just learned before jumping into a new idea.
·	Decide when and where you work best.  Set a personal goal to make the study sessions a pattern.

Lecture Notes
·	Always attend class.  Note taking in statistics is an essential factor to doing well in the class.  
·	Use a general outline type of format.  Try to follow the same pattern of note taking throughout the entire semester.  This will allow you to easily understand notes on previous chapters.  
·	Try to follow along in the book as the lecture proceeds.  Page references in your notes will double your sources of information for out-of-class exercises.  
·	Putting notes in the book is also a good idea.  By highlighting the key points covered in a lecture, you will be sure to know what is important to the professor.  
·	Make a habit of reading through your lecture notes after each class to make sure that they are easily understood.  
·	If there are any questions, do not hesitate to ask your professor or a peer tutor.

Exercises
·	The practice sheets handed out before exams should be looked upon as a helping hand to a higher test score.  
·	These sheets generally map out exactly what the professor is looking for on an upcoming exam.  
·	First, try the problems on your own.  When you are stuck on a problem, skip it and try the next one.  When you are finished with the entire worksheet, go back to the problems that stumped you and write down some questions you might ask a tutor or your professor in the next class session.

Story Problems
If you do not know the correct steps to approach story problems, they may seem very complex and frustrating.  Here are a few helpful hints:
	First, always write down (in your own handwriting) what each 
	variable represents to you.  For example: If I have 3 blue socks, 19 
	white socks and a yellow sock… I would rewrite my given information as:
P(B)=3/23,    P(W)=19/23,    P(Y)=1/23

	Next, I would begin to write my equation in mathematical terms.  For
	example: If I am asked to find the probability of getting 1 blue, 1 white,
	and 1 yellow sock,  I would write:
P(B and W and Y), where P=probability and (=of
	Then, I would substitute numerical values for my variables:
P(B*W*Y)*(the permutation, given that I have no order)=
(3/23*19/22*1/21)*(3!/(1!*1!*1!))

Visualize
The more you can write about a problem, the more you will understand about it, and the better chance you will have of achieving the correct answer.  Don’t be afraid to draw pictures on exams.  Professors can often see your train of thought through visual aids and sometimes will grant you partial credit for being on the right track.

Don’t Get Behind
Statistics is a process.  You must know the basic concepts before you have any chance of understanding those that follow.  Even if the section doesn’t make much sense to you, keep up on your reading.  At least you will be able to identify key terms, if nothing else.

Use Your Resources
Consider your resources; go see your instructor or consult with an understanding/experienced peer tutor in the Academic Assistance Center.  Do not be afraid to ask for help from a friend, professor or peer tutor if you are having difficulties.

This handout provided as a service of Academic Assistance. Library 124 Ext 7518.

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