How to Study Economics at BRCC

 

I.                    Website

a.       Visit the class website (http://buffland.tripod.com) at least once a week at the beginning of the week.

II.                 Coursepack

a.       Buy the coursepack from the bookstore the first week of class

III.               Attendance

a.       Attend all classes

b.      Be on time

c.       Sit in the middle near the front if possible

d.      You can’t learn by talking

IV.              Class Notes

a.       Before class: skim over the topics in the textbook and on your Study Card

b.      Rewrite your class notes

c.       After class take a few minutes and go over the notes

V.                 Textbook and Study Guide

a.       Read chapter introduction

b.      Read the learning objectives and topic headings

c.       Read the Summary and Conclusions to get an idea on the subject matter

d.      Now read the chapter

                                                               i.      Do  highlight

                                                             ii.      Write in the margins

                                                            iii.      Have pencil and paper nearby

                                                           iv.      Analyze the graphs

                                                             v.      Coordinate with your notes

e.       Read actively: process the material don’t just look at it

f.        Study Guides (201 and 202 are on the class website, 203 comes with the book)

                                                               i.      Practice for each chapter

VI.              Form a study group with classmates

VII.            Studying for the Exams

a.       Print out a review sheet from the website (http://buffland.tripod.com)

b.      Coordinate the test topics with your notes and text

c.       Begin studying a few days before the exam

                                                               i.      Divide the material into equal blocks and learn the material in each block rather than cramming for the test the night before

                                                             ii.      Put each topic on an index card for quick reviewing

d.      Test yourself by doing the crossword puzzles in your Coursepack

VIII.         Taking the Exam

a.       Be on time with all the necessary materials

b.      Glance over the whole exam

c.       Begin with the easiest questions

                                                               i.      This “warms you up” for the others

d.      Be sure you answer all questions

IX.              Homework and Handouts

a.       Do all the homework assignments – every point counts

b.      Do all handouts and worksheets while in class