Course Handbook
6. Suggested Pacing
Course Handbook ยท Section 6 of 6
This course is self-paced, but you will make the best progress by working consistently. Long breaks between lessons can make it harder to remember earlier ideas and connect them to new material.
Choose a Regular Schedule
Plan to work on math on specific days each week. For most students, a schedule of four or five days per week works well. Working five days per week allows a student to complete the course within one academic year. If you wish to stretch this course over two years, follow this plan.
Our goal is for you to spend no more than about one hour on math each day. You may complete that time in one work session or divide it into two shorter blocks, such as 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes later in the day.
Pay Attention to Your Concentration
Do not force yourself to continue simply because a lesson is not finished. When you can no longer concentrate well, reach a reasonable stopping point and take a break. Continuing while tired or unfocused often leads to careless mistakes and frustration.
A lesson may take part of one day, a full day, or several days. That is okay. At the end of your work time, make a note of where you stopped so that you can begin there during your next session.
Use the Suggested Work Days
Each chapter includes suggested work days to help you plan. These are guidelines rather than deadlines. Some lessons may take less time, while more challenging lessons may need to be spread across two or more days.
Work carefully during the time you have available. Do not skip checking and correcting your work simply to finish a lesson more quickly.
Plan for Reviews and Assessments
Leave enough time to complete each chapter review, check your answers, and revisit any topics that are still difficult before beginning the assessment.
It is usually best to complete the review and assessment on separate days. This gives you time to correct mistakes and ask for help before the assessment.
Keep Moving Forward
Use the completion markers in the course index to keep track of your progress. Mark a lesson done only after you have completed all of its required parts and checked your work.
If you fall behind the schedule you originally planned, simply begin again where you left off. Consistent, focused work is more valuable than rushing to catch up.