How to Succeed in Your Astronomy Course

Using the TEXTBOOK

Each chapter in this book is designed to make it easy for you to study effectively and efficiently. To get the most out of each chapter, you might wish to use the following study plan:

● A textbook is not a novel, and you’ll learn best by reading the elements of this text in the following order:

1. Start by reading the Learning Goals and the introductory paragraphs at the beginning of the chapter so that you’ll know what you are trying to learn.
2. Next, get an overview of key concepts by studying the illustrations and reading their captions and annotations. The illustrations highlight almost all of the major concepts, so this “illustrations first” strategy gives you an opportunity to survey the concepts before you read about them in depth. You will find the two-page Cosmic Context figures especially useful. Also watch for the Interactive Figure icons—when you see one, go to www.masteringastronomy.com to try the interactive version.
3. Read the chapter narrative, trying the Think About It questions and the See It for Yourself activities as you go along, but save the boxed features (Common Misconceptions, Special Topics, Mathematical Insights) to read later. As you read, make notes on the pages to remind yourself of ideas you’ll want to review later. Avoid using a highlight pen; underlining with pen or pencil is far more effective, because it forces you to take greater care and therefore helps keep you alert as you study. Be careful to underline selectively—it won’t help you later if you’ve underlined everything.
4. After reading the chapter once, go back through and read the boxed material. You should read all of the Common Misconceptions and Special Topics boxes; whether you choose to read the Mathematical Insights is up to you and your instructor. Also watch for the MasteringAstronomy tutorial icons throughout the chapter; if a concept is giving you trouble, go to the MasteringAstronomy site to try the relevant tutorial.

5. Then turn your attention to the Chapter Summary. The best way to use the summary is to try to answer the Learning Goal questions for yourself before reading the short answers given in the summary.

• After completing the reading as outlined above, start testing your understanding with the end-of-chapter exercises. A good way to begin is to make sure you can answer all of the Review Questions; if you don’t know an answer, look back through the chapter until you figure it out. Then test your understanding a little more deeply by trying the Does It Make Sense? and Quick Quiz questions.
• You can further check your understanding and get feedback on difficulties by trying the online quizzes in the study area at www.masteringastronomy.com. Each chapter has three quizzes: a Reading Quiz, a Concept Quiz, and a Visual Quiz. Try the Reading Quiz first. Once you clear up any difficulties you have with it, try the Concept and Visual quizzes.
• If your course has a quantitative emphasis, work through all of the examples in the Mathematical Insights before trying the quantitative problems for yourself. Remember that you should always try to answer questions qualitatively before you begin plugging numbers into a calculator. For example, make an order of magnitude estimate of what your answer should be so that you’ll know your calculation is on the right track, and be sure that your answer makes sense and has the appropriate units.
• If you have done all the above, you will have already made use of numerous resources on the Mastering-Astronomy Website (www.masteringastronomy.com). Don’t stop there; visit the site again and make use of other resources that will help you further build your understanding. These resources have been developed specifically to help you learn the most important ideas in your astronomy course, and they have been extensively tested to make sure they are effective. They really do work, and the only way you’ll gain their benefits is by going to the Website and using them.

The Key to Success: Study Time

The single most important key to success in any college course is to spend enough time studying. A general rule of thumb for college classes is that you should expect to study about 2 to 3 hours per week outside of class for each unit of credit. For example, based on this rule of thumb, a student taking 15 credit hours should expect to spend 30 to 45 hours each week studying outside of class. Combined with time

• Don’t miss class. Listening to lectures and participating in discussions is much more effective than reading someone else’s notes. Active participation will help you retain what you are learning.

Take advantage of resources offered by your professor, whether it be e-mail, office hours, review sessions, online chats, or simply finding opportunities to talk to and get to know your professor. Most professors will go out of their way to help you learn in any way that they can.

Budget your time effectively. Studying 1 or 2 hours each day is more effective, and far less painful, than studying all night before homework is due or before exams.

If a concept gives you trouble, do additional reading or studying beyond what has been assigned. And if you still have trouble, ask for help: You surely can find friends, peers, or teachers who will be glad to help you learn.

• Working together with friends can be valuable in helping you understand difficult concepts. However, be sure that you learn with your friends and do not become dependent on them.
• Be sure that any work you turn in is of collegiate quality: neat and easy to read, well organized, and demonstrating mastery of the subject matter. Although it takes extra effort to make your work look this good, the effort will help you solidify your learning and is also good practice for the expectations that future professors and employers will have.