Students learn tips to reduce math fear
by Ashley Smicker, Reporter

   Subtract Fear and Multiply Confidence is just what some students learned at a workshop last week.
   NE academic advisors Richard Vela and Carolina Saleh helped students learn different ways to help themselves with math.
   “Math is the number one subject students have trouble with,” Vela said. “Math is like a foreign language.”
   Saleh talked about study habits and ways to take notes. She suggested writing down everything the professor writes on the chalkboard because it most likely will appear on a test later.
   The advisors also discussed how important it is ask questions and get help if one does not understand something. Free tutoring is available and the math lab is great place to work and do homework, Saleh said.
   Saleh and Vela shared experiences they had, and some students shared their experiences also.
   Saleh told those present that getting a positive attitude toward math really helps.
   The last thing the advisors talked about was the “B rule,” which deals with remediation.
   If students take the THEA test and fail, then depending on their level, they can take Math 0302, 0304 or 0350. If they pass that course, the student can then go on to the next math course. If they pass the entire developmental math sequence, they must retake the math portion of THEA. Students who fail again can appeal to the dean for permission to take college algebra. If they pull a B in college algebra, they are considered THEA passed.
   Student participants voiced positive reactions to the seminar.
  “This workshop helped me with study habits,” student Shirley Clark said.
   Student Laura Orges also left the session with positive feelings.
   “It helped give me a positive attitude toward math,” she said.
    This session will be repeated Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. in NTAB 249.