1. This course will go much more easily if your mathematical background is sound, which may require that you do some reviewing. If you have any problems along these lines, see your TA immediately.

2. As with any technical course, much of the information in this course is packed into mathematical symbols. For most people (including your instructor) it is difficult to absorb a large amount of such information in a short time. Therefore it is very important to study the material on a daily basis. That way you can absorb it in small bites rather than having to swallow it whole.

3. The book must be STUDIED, with pencil, paper, and calculator handy, rather than merely read. Make sure you understand what has been said, including the calculations.

4. Learn (i.e., memorize and understand) the technical terminology as it is introduced. Many terms used in statistics, as in any specialized subject, have a different meaning from their everyday usage. Not knowing the vocabulary is like living in a foreign country without knowing the language.

5. If you find problems developing with the course, see your TA during office hours or make an appointment for another time. Most problems can be fixed in a few minutes. You will save yourself a lot of time and agony by catching problems early.

6. Most of the homework assignments should take no more than a few hours to complete. If you are spending an inordinate amount of time on them, something may be wrong, and it would not be an efficient use of your time. See your TA to get back on track.

7. The best way to practice for exams is to do extra problems. The book contains the answers to many of the even-numbered problems.

8. When doing homework, KEEP THE BOOK CLOSED as much as possible. DO NOT simply flip the pages back to an example in the text that looks similar.

After you have finished working a problem in this manner, rethink it from beginning to end, without looking at the book or your notes or the solution that you just wrote. You don’t have to redo the calculations, but think through the logic of the problem. It will be more difficult at first to do problems this way, but you will learn the subject much better and ultimately more quickly.

9. Frequent reference will be made to the book and to other materials handed out in class. Bring the book and handouts to each class, or "buddy up" with someone so you can share this chore.

10. It will be assumed that you have read the relevant section of the textbook and done any assigned work for each class. Remember that each class is a working session for both the teacher and the students.

11. Think about the subject and discuss it with your fellow students and friends. You will find that such discussions help you to become much more comfortable and confident with the material. This course is intended to be immediately useful in your studies, work, and everyday life, and should become part of your permanent intellectual equipment.

Ó 2001 Joseph Horowitz