Tips for for students

There are a few lucky students who seem to learn even the hardest statistics effortlessly.  The rest of us can only envy them and try to pick their brains.  We doubt that you would be here if you were one of them so that means that you are like most of us who cannot learn statistics without working at it.  Don't fool yourself into thinking that you can get by without working at it; you will only get yourself into more trouble than you can climb out of by mid-semester.

Tip 1: Do the homework exercises and the on-line quizzes.  We do not always require you to hand in the homework.  The homework is for your benefit, not ours.  You can't learn to play the piano without practicing scales.  You can't make the football team without running wind-sprints.  You can't learn to paint without painting still-lifes.  Statistics is no different.  The homework exercises will train your mind and sharpen your intuition.  So do the work; it will pay off in the end.

Tip 2: Statistics books are meant to be read slowly.  The technique of speed reading should never be used when readings a statistics text.  Read slowly and when you encounter a new concept, do not expect to understand it on the first reading, no matter how carefully your read it.  You should go over each difficult paragraph several times.  If you are still uncomfortable with it, read ahead a page or so, then come back to the difficult passage.  Remember that statistics books are meant to be read with paper and pencil in hand.  Use the paper and pencil to work through any steps that the book doesn't include.

Tip 3: Always use a pencil to do statistics homework (and exams).  Never try to do statistics in ink since you will make mistakes.   Everybody does so be equipped to clean them up.  If you like mechanical pencils, great.  If you prefer the old wooden kind, then sharpen several of them before you start your homework.  Make sure you have a clean, usable eraser as well.   Although neatness might not get you extra points, it does help keep you from confusion.  Keep your work organized.  Skip a line (or even two) between each row of written calculations.  You'll surprise yourself at how much easier it is to follow your own work when it's not so densely packed onto the page.  Also, you must become familiar with your TI-83 calculator.  It is essential.

Tip 4: Your greatest assets are in the class with you.  Your classmates are all in the same boat.  Organize a study group of three to five and try to coax at least a top student in the class into your group.  Try to meet at least once per week so you can work together on homework and compare lecture notes.  You do not want to be in the group that works on statistics between beers and Monday Night Football.  Choose as your group-mates those who have a serious attitude.  When you form the group, it might be a good idea to inform me that you have done so and who the members are since that will explain why all of you turn in the same wrong answer on a particular assignment.

Tip 5: In your group activity, take turns.  See if you can find a room with a chalkboard.  Have one person get up and do a problem on the board, explaining what he or she is doing as the problem unfolds.  If the person at the board gets stuck, the others in the group should try to provide hints or ask the person at the board leading questions.  If the person at the board is doing fine, the others in the group should challenge him or her.  Make the problem-doer justify each step orally.  If anybody in the group does not understand a step, the person at the board must explain it to his or her satisfaction.  When one person is done with a problem, somebody else gets up and does the next one on the board.  Everyone should participate.

Tip 6: We will test you as an individual.  Despite the helpfulness of your group activities, in the end your ability to solve problems will determine your grade.  So, following your group get-togethers, you should solve a few exercises by yourself.

Tip 7: Try to see more than just procedures.  Learn the concepts in each chapter and the definitions, then the procedures will seem obvious.  Try to have some fun with it.  Humanity invented statistics largely because it is fascinating.  Be fascinated.

Tip 8: Make this course a priority.  If you follow the above tips, you will be successful.  Remember, you need to pass this class.