Student Resources

Location: The first floor of the Library on SF Northwest Campus
For hours of availability, see the Tutoring page.

Tutoring

The Learning Commons offers tutoring in all mathematics subjects; developmental math, trigonometry, algebra, calculus, and statistics. You can use the Learning Commons as a place to study, work on homework, and/or have questions answered. When you arrive, please sign in at the kiosk and pick up a color-coded subject card (yellow for any Math course; orange for Statistics). If you need assistance from a tutor, place the color-coded subject card in the table stand and a tutor will come over and help you.

Group Tutoring

Working with others in a group can facilitate learning. If you have a group of two or more students, you can reserve a Library study room. (See librarian or book online).

Your group can use the area independently or a tutor who specializes in your subject can join.

Online Work

You can do your online math coursework in the Learning Commons. Tutors are trained to use the math-related software. Please keep in mind that you cannot receive credit for your required Studio time if you are taking MAT1033, but you are always welcome to use the Learning Commons as a resource in addition to your required attendance in the Studio. Additionally, all Learning Commons computers are installed with all of the software for your courses, including Derive, Maple, Converge, Minitab, and Graph.

Learning Commons Rules

Students are to conduct themselves in accordance to the Santa Fe Conduct Policy. Because the open areas accommodate both tutoring and free study space, we ask students to be mindful of distractions such as loud noise or talking and food odors. The Library and Learning Commons shares an open social space at the front of the building on the first floor and students may be asked to move to this space for eating and socializing.

Student Responsibilities

Tutors are skilled in helping you become a better, more independent learner. The best tutoring sessions are those that are student-led. Bring your course materials. Be prepared to share your class notes so that the tutor can support your learning by tutoring the way your instructor is teaching the material. Attempt the course material. Math takes practice. Allow enough time for repetition by starting the assignments before asking for help. Attending class, creating a study schedule, and allowing time to practice are great strategies to help you learn.

Note: The Learning Commons experiences a high volume of visitors at certain times. Be sure to check the hours of availability and plan ahead.

Pick the class that is right for you!

Here are some good things to know:

• MAT 1033 is a studio course, meaning that (except for a few sections at the centers or in a minimester) the class has two parts – classroom time (called the focus group) and lab time (to practice in the studio). There are two different versions:
  • MWF classes meet in 75-minute blocks, one block a week in class and two blocks a week in the studio.
  • MW or TR classes meet in 2-hour blocks, with the first hour in the classroom and the second hour in the studio.
  • In either set up, the studio time is NOT optional and should be carefully considered as part of the schedule.
• All MAC 1105 courses will have some work in MyMathLab, but there will be other required work as well, and there is no required studio time.
• MAC 1147 is a new course that covers both courses required to take Calculus I (trig and precalculus) into one. This is a great class for students who are strong in math and intending to go through the calculus sequence. You must have a B or better in MAC 1105 or an 85 or higher on the CLM to be eligible. Trig (MAC 1114) and Precalculus (MAC 1140) can still be taken separately, and taking them separately is a good idea for students with weaker backgrounds or busy schedules.

Know what you are getting into!

Math classes are taught in sequence, so you want to always keep and review the notes from your previous math class as you move ahead. The math department posts review materials on its website – not only to help at the end of the semester, but also to get you off to a good start (example: review MAT 1033 materials before you start MAC 1105).

Know your class expectations!

1033 has a lot of requirements to make sure you develop good study skills; MAC 1105 expects you to have those good habits in place so that there are less safety-net features. Classes past MAC 1105 may or may not have an online system component. You can always reach out to potential professors before you register to find out what will be required in a particular class.

Know what classes you need to take!

Not every major requires MAC 1105 –some require STA 2023, and some allow you to take whatever math you choose. Talk over your options with an advisor to find the best fit.

Plan your study time!

If possible, keep a blank spot in your schedule after your math class so that you have time to review your notes after class and start your homework. Doing this immediately after class is the best way to cement your understanding and/or highlight questions you need help with. There are tutors available in both P220 (the Studio, for 1033 and 1105) and Library (the Math Lab, for all math classes) pretty much all day long (see below for contact info to check times). Try to get into the habit of going to the Studio or the Math Lab to do your homework at least after each class and more often if you need it!

This is specific to 1033, but good ideas for all classes.

There is a lot going on in this course, so set a plan for success from day one!

One key item is that you must spend at least 5 to 10 hours a week in order to learn this material well enough to pass the course. It is best to spread study time out over 5 to 7 different days. Do not try to cram math!

Homework

Rarely does a student achieve success if they do not do their homework. Plan on doing your homework, and aim for at least 85% on every assignment. Let your homework grade be the grade you want for the course.

• Start homework as soon as possible after a lecture. When you miss a problem or need to use an example or show me how to do this, or if you need to get help, make a note of the problem so that later, before your quiz, you can review it. Reworking homework problems and class examples are great study habits!
• All homework and quiz assignments are available to look at after the deadline in the gradebook tab.

Quizzes

Quizzes happen right after your homework so it is easy to blow off studying for them. Better to work on your study skills at this point.

• Before you take your quiz, review your formulas, concepts, and definitions.
• Next, take the quiz at the Studio and do not hesitate to ask for help. When you get help, note the problem so you know where your weaknesses are. After this first try, go over what you missed and where you got help; then do the quiz again.
• After you have a good quiz grade, try the quiz by yourself (no notes or tutor help) to prove that you know the material. This step is key.
• Taking a break before you try the quiz again will give you a good idea of what you are learning and what you need to study more carefully.
• Keep repeating the quiz until you feel very comfortable with the material without looking anything up. You get multiple tries on each quiz, so use that to your advantage!
• Create a place in your notebook for writing down all of the quiz problems that you missed and the correct solutions for how to do them. This will be an important document for you to review prior to your exam.
• Get in the habit of taking quizzes for the first time several days before the due date so that you have plenty of time if you need it.

Tests & Exams

To get ready for tests/exams, you have a lot of material to review. Create a document with all the formulas, definitions, concepts and some key examples of the work you did during that test period.

• Your notes are a great place to start. Summarizing your notes each week is a good study habit.
• Go back over your notes from quiz problems that you missed so that you can become aware of them and do not miss the same problem again. Cover up your old work and rework each problem. Think about why you do each step, and check that your answer matches the directions.
• When you are ready, take your review quiz (preferably at the studio) at least two days prior to the exam. If you know that you will have a class review day, do your review packet beforehand.

Plan on taking your review quiz at least FOUR times.

• Students who do this typically do better than those who do not. A key issue is that it takes about four tries on the review quiz before you see all of the different questions that will be on the exam.
• After each test, review the material and learn from your mistakes. Rework all of the problems you missed (you have to turn that in), and ask questions! That way, when the final exam comes, you will not miss the same items.

Pick the right class! Make sure that you take a math placement test so you know what level to start at. Talk to your advisor so that you know your options.

Take math every semester until you are finished so material stays fresh (just like for any foreign language).

Set yourself up for success in class

• Go to every class. If you have to miss class, make sure to contact your instructor immediately to explain, and make sure you have a friend in class who can share notes with you.
• Get a study group together. Not only can you discuss problems and work through concepts together, but you can also help each other stay on track with assignments and help anyone get caught up.
• Take good notes in class and use your notes when you do your homework. Look for similar type problems and identify what is the same and what is different. Review and summarize your notes once a week and again before exams.
• Do all of your assigned homework. Rework problems that you got help with. Rework examples from class until you feel comfortable with the process. Think about what you are doing while you do it – do not just try to copy steps. If you are not sure why you are doing something, ask!
• If you have trouble remembering a formula or definition, make flash cards.
• If you get multiple attempts on quizzes, take quizzes more than once as practice for your test (get a good grade using notes, then try on your own later and again the next day).
• Know your professors' office hours and go see them for help with particular questions once a week.
• Go to the Math Lab or Studio after class to start your homework; go as often as you can to get free help.
• Spend at least 30 minutes to an hour on math (or more!) every day.

Be a smart test taker

• Work on math every day (see above) so that you are reviewing what you already know when it is test time.
• Sleep well the night before the test (avoid late night cramming!).
• Eat well on test day.
• If you get stuck on a problem, put a star beside it and move on. A later problem may give you a hint as to what to do.
• Read directions carefully, and make sure that your final answer matches what you were asked to do.
• Check your answers, but do not second guess yourself.
• When you get your test back, review it with your instructor so that you know exactly what you did right and what you need to improve.

Hang in there!

• It's likely you will hit a point where things seem hard – that's OK! If you are not sure how to make progress, or if you feel overwhelmed, let your instructor know. Talk to your advisor or counselor. Know that everyone gets challenged, and it is how you deal with it that separates successful students from the rest. Take advantage of your support resources on campus.
• Make sure to take time for yourself so you do not burn out. You should schedule something fun every week, but do not take more than one day off to recharge! It is harder to catch up than to hang in there.

Math is a beautiful subject that not only helps us understand the world around us, but also helps us become better thinkers. By applying yourself in your math class, you will develop the ability to analyze situations, look for patterns, break ideas into manageable parts and then combine parts together into an understandable whole. You will also be able to make predictions based on data so that you can move confidently into the future. If you get frustrated, try to think of math class as your mental gym for brain exercise, and know that these skills will help you no matter your goals. Everyone – including you – can be successful at math!

Santa Fe College offers a variety of FREE tutoring services to help you succeed. Math help is available at all of these locations

• Math tutoring at SF Northwest Campus and centers
  SF offers free math tutoring at a variety of times and places
• Student Support Services
  Student Support Services offers free individual tutoring to those who qualify
• Your Professor's Office
  Check with your professors for good times to drop by
• Brainfuse Online Tutoring
• Self-Study Resources
  You can find self-study resources on this student resources page as well as at the library

The best way to succeed in math class is to go to class, ask questions, and practice immediately afterwards. Take advantage of these great free resources on campus and make study time a regular part of your daily schedule. Everyone can do math with the right attitude and support, so let us help you succeed!

Thinking of a Career in Applied Mathematics?

Visit Emergency Aid / Resources

Library Videos - These streaming videos on a variety of math topics can be viewed online.