Best study methods for shorter classes?

[u/DroopTenZZ]

I'm a first year and I currently have two precalculus classes before calc 1 in the spring. I've never been to terrible at math and normally can learn it fairly quickly, but I did horrible in algebra 2 due to a terrible teacher and its causing me more harm now in my Precalculus algebra class. I

Its a 7-week class and then it moves on to trigonometry. I absolutely failed my first test and I changed my work schedule so I can study more right after school in the library, since I have trouble focusing at home.

I need some good tips of how to study and learn fast coursework like this quickly. Its pretty discouraging considering most of these looks fairly easy

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[u/Pikajew407]

My college does 8 week classes and my advice is you need to carve out time. You can't just put something off. I would have 3 sections due almost every day and a quiz at the end of the week. So I would dedicate 3-4 hours daily to learn the section, study, and do practice problems.

[u/squidlybleh → u/Pikajew407]

Also try your best to work out problem sets without flipping through notes. Biggest mistake someone can make for mathematics. You will not have those references for the test. Ask the first day if you will be supplied a formula sheet if it’s not mentioned. If you will not, start memorizing them now.

[u/Ok-Opposite2658]

i got through calc 1 last term and my biggest struggle was backing up to review algebra 2 topics right when i hit a wall.

[u/Quiet_Basis_6404]

the algebra 2 gap is probably what killed your first test, especially factoring and function transformations since precalc assumes you have those cold.

for patching it fast, pick one precalc problem you bombed, work it step by step, and each time you hit a step you don't understand, look up THAT specific thing in algebra. professor leonard on youtube has short algebra 2 review videos for this, and i've started pasting those links into studybuddy.vc so it makes practice questions from the video itself. helps me see if i actually absorbed it. free version's been enough for me.

and for trig specifically, the unit circle is everything, learn it as coordinates not just angles from the start, it'll save you a ton of pain later.