After class

Why is it vital

Class time is design to give you enough resources so that you can make the knowledge your own. Typically, it is insufficient to accomplish the complete task of having you learn the material and retain it. The time spent after class is what does this.

Principles:

1. This should not involve a large amount of time but can still be very helpful.
2. Time spent early on this task is better then time spent later.
3. Multiple times are helpful.
4. Time spent here can often have a higher payback on time spent studying. That is to say if you spend an extra 15 minutes after class, it might save you more than 15 minutes studying for the exam.
5. Time spent here can prepare you for the next class.
6. Time spent here can keep you from falling behind.

Guidelines on how to do it

1. Minimum effort: Time after class should involve reading over your notes (before the class meets the next time) and identifying what things are still confusing and what things you understand. Then you can ask for a review in the next class.
2. Additional effort:
   1. Read the textbook about the areas that were confusing to see if that helps.
   2. Get together in a study group and discuss what was covered in class. This could be once a week. You can cover all the topics to make sure your notes are complete and then discuss the things anyone finds confusing. You can also then talk about what was interesting. Helping others understand things is a great way to learn them better yourself.
   3. Highlight your notes to indicate what seems very important, what might apply to lab and/or homework, what needs additional effort on your part, etc. By interacting with your notes (i.e., highlighting) you are learning them better than by just reviewing them.
   4. Rework your notes (organize them, copy them over, etc.) If you take handwritten notes, copy them over. Just by rewriting them you are taking steps that will help you learn them. In addition, they will be neater to study from and you will identify areas that need additional work. If they are on a computer, reorganizing them helps you group them and learn them better.

Requirements for credit

1. Describe what you typically did after class before working on this Gem.
2. Identify one area (from additional effort) that you think would help. Try it at least 3 times before the next exam. Report on the results.