Academic Strategies Course Readings (ENGL 1003)

The readings for Academic Advisement are taken directly from TCC’s Academic Advisement webpages.  Click this link to complete the readings assigned by your instructor http://www.tulsacc.edu/student-services/academic-advisement.

Please click on the links to download and save the following worksheets and excercises for the advisement portion of your Academic Strategies course.

What is the right math class for you?

• Math builds on sequential skills through each course and continues to build through the progression of courses.  Research has shown 50% of your ability to succeed in a math class is based on what you know when you walk into class the first day.  Therefore, it is extremely important to enroll in the appropriate math class.   (Note the following chart, entitled “Variables Contributing to Student Academic Achievement”, from Learning Specialist, Paul Nolting, Ph.D.)

• If you have not taken the ACT test, you will need to go to one of the TCC campus testing centers and take the free Compass placement test.  This test will tell you the level of mathematics at which you need to start.  Before being allowed to enroll in College Algebra, which is the lowest level credit math course, it is possible that you will need to enroll in one of the three zero-level developmental math courses:  Basic Mathematics, Beginning Algebra, or Intermediate Algebra.
  
  
• If you place into one of the developmental math classes, MathPath might be an option you should consider.  MathPath is a two-week, non-credit Continuing Education course that meets two hours a day offered in the summer.  It is self-paced, and the goal is to help you brush up on your math skills.  At the end of the MathPath class, the Compass test will be given again.  Approximately half of the students score high enough to advance to the next level of mathematics allowing them to progress faster through the sequence of math courses.   Check Continuing Education (www.tulsacc.edu and click on Continuing Education, then search for mathpath) for specific times and locations for these summer classes.
  
  A pilot credit MathPath program is being offered Fall 2014, during the first four weeks of the semester.  After those four weeks, the students then take the 12-week math course into which they place.  If this program continues, it can be found in the TCC course schedule.
  
  To learn more about MathPath, consult this website:  http://www.tulsacc.edu/about-tcc/completing-dream/mathpath
  
  
• Before you enroll in a class, fill out a weekly time schedule and see if you have time to study or if you need to rethink your schedule.  Math and science classes traditionally require more time than other classes, so take that into consideration when you enroll.  For a 3 hour class in a 16 week format plan on spending at least one hour a day six days a week studying math outside of class.  More time per day will be needed if the format is shorter than 16 weeks. 
  
  
• You also need to schedule time to work on-campus, in order to allow time to visit instructors and/or the math lab.You also need to be aware that making a “D” in a zero-level mathematics course will NOT meet the pre-requisite for the next course.  So, you must make a “C”, or higher, to progress to the next mathematics course.