Study Smarts: How to Learn More in Less Time

13. Work Through All Sample Problems

34 STUDY SMARTS LEARNING TIP 13 Work Through All Sample Problems An author inserts a sample problem into a book to show how a particular theory works in actual practice. On a test, you'll be expected to know both the theory and the practice. You've probably discovered that the fastest way to do homework is to plug the question's numbers into the sample problem. But it's the worst way, because it won't help you learn a thing. Dr. Herbert Lin, who has taught physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, suggests that you study each sample problem or proof that you come to until you're confident that you understand it. Then close the book and work that problem through from memory. If you get stuck, check it against the book; then wait a while and do it again. "Usually these examples are the only problems for which you have a detailed, worked-out solution against which you can check," he says. Before you even start on a sample problem, be sure that you understand the concept or law it develops. Then, once you understand the procedure from start to finish, do the homework. You'll reinforce what you've just learned, and test problems should be a cinch. If you're stuck on either the sample or the homework problem because of its complex numbers, try substituting simple ones and working it through that way first. If you get any wrong, always redo them from start to finish. You'll learn infinitely more from redoing these mistake problems than from the ones you've gotten correct in the first place. Learning Tip~ 35 A classroom teacher doesn't put problems on the board, work them they're either Stay problem and You can bet have to answer do with it or on a test. ...