MECH102
- How to Do Well
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Attend every class, take notes, participate, pay attention, and ask questions.
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Read all assigned readings. It is a good idea to intelligently highlight
and take notes while reading. Reading assignments should be completed the week
they appear on the syllabus, preferably before the material is covered in class.
- Print
out handouts before coming to class for taking
notes.
- Prepare and study for exams by reviewing and studying
all lecture notes (especially class examples), handouts, homework assignments,
reading material (especially the book examples), and sample
exams. You are expected to be able to answer general questions dealing with
an understanding and basic application of the course material. You are also expected
to have a firm grasp of the terminology used in the course and how it is applied.
- Read
the homework questions carefully; show neat, detailed work for all information
asked for; and make sure you turn in your work on time. Also be sure
to use the homework hints and respond to any extra requirements (see the
links on the syllabus).
- Pick up your graded
homework as soon as it is available; and if you missed anything, visit the
display case to see where you went wrong and make necessary corrections to your
work (per the posted solution). The homework solutions remain in the display case
only until the next assignment is returned, so don't put this off.
- Join
the MECH102 listserv and read and respond to messages regularly and promptly.
- When using MathCAD or any software in the ENS Lab, please save your work frequently and make backup files periodically. That way, you won't lose significant work if something bad happens (e.g., network crash, MathCad crash, file closed by accident, etc.).
- If you own a computer, you should purchase and install MathCad as soon as possible (see Course General Info). If you don't do this, be aware that MathCAD might not always be available via ENS during peak times (e.g., weeknights) due to the limited number of licenses.
- If you are having trouble with anything computer-related (e.g., Virtual Lab, network access, printing, accessing or saving files, etc.), please ask ENS (Engineering Network Services) for help. ENS has a Help Desk (Glover 211, 491-2917, help@engr.colostate.edu). They have students and staff professionals who are qualified to answer all of your questions. The ACNS Computing Help Desk in the Morgan Library is also a great resource for personal computer issues (e.g., installing software like MathCad).
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If you are having trouble with the exams, I strongly encourage the following:
- Look back at the questions you missed and try to identify what caused
you to answer incorrectly.
- did you read the question or answers incorrectly?
- did
you work out the problem methodically?
- did you truly know and understand
the pertinent terms and concepts?
- did you answer hastily?
- Try
to identify ways to prevent mistakes on future exams.
- read the question
more carefully.
- draw figures when they are not provided.
- show
work and be methodical.
- double check your answer.
- take your time.
- don't
spend too much time on one question.
- attend every class, take good notes,
and ask questions.
- read and highlight the reading assignments.
- If
you have an aversion to multiple choice exams, treat each question like it ISN'T
MULTIPLE CHOICE! Be methodical in your approach:
- read the question
carefully.
- draw figures or diagrams where appropriate.
- show work
and try to calculate or determine the correct answer.
- if you understood
the material well enough to answer the question, select the answer you arrived
at (hopefully, the correct answer) from the list of possible answers.
- if
your first answer is not on the list, try to eliminate some of the possible answers
in an educated fashion.
- if you are still unsure, use the WAG principle
-- take a Wild-Ass Guess
- Before taking an exam:
- review your
lecture notes and associated book material for all of the classes covered by the
exam.
- review all past homework assignments and make sure you completely
understand the answer to every question.
- study your notes from the in-class
exam review session.
- make sure you understand all of the concepts listed
on the review guide, and practice and make
sure you completely understand all questions on the posted sample
exam.
- If you want further advice or help in diagnosing possible
sources of your difficulty, please stop by Dr. Dave's office to talk.
- Don't
procrastinate and don't put things off until the last minute.
- E-mail,
call, or visit the TA or Dr. Dave whenever you have questions or problems.
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Keep a positive attitude and try to have fun.