Seeking Help
1. Make use of the resources at school:  classroom question and answer time and/or help sessions during teacher’s prep time, before school, or after school.
2.

AskinAsking any question is better than no question at all.  But a good question will be the most effective. 

·   Not too helpful comment:  “I don’t understand this section.”  The best you can expect in reply to such a remark is a brief review of the section, and this will likely overlook the particular thing(s) which you don’t understand.

·   Good comment:  “I don’t understand the difference between y = f(-x) and y = -f(x).”  This is a very specific remark that will get a very specific response.

·   Good question:  “How do you determine the graph of an exponential function such as y = 5x ?”

·   Okay question: “How do you do #17?”

·   Better question:  “Can you show me how to set up #17?”  (The instructor/tutor can let you try to finish the problem on your own.) OR “This is how I tried to do #17.  What went wrong?”  The focus of attention is on your thought process.

 
3. When you go to the teacher or a tutor, have a specific list of questions prepared in advance.  You should run the session as much as possible.
4. Right after you get help with a problem, work another similar problem by yourself.