We assume that you're regularly attending lectures and discussion sections, and working hard at the homework exercises.  Nothing here is intended as a substitute for that.

You should also take advantage of your  instructor's office hours , listed on the first page of the syllabus.  If those hours are impossible for you, contact your instructor about the possibility of setting up an appointment.

Your TA should be available soon for help at scheduled times during the week in our Calculus Tutorial Room, Cupples I, 203. Your TA should tell you what times he or she will be there. Tutors there are available to help students from any discussion section (although in a busy time, their priority is with their "own" students), so you may be able to get help from other TA's as well.  A schedule of times when TA's are available in Room 203 will be posted here as soon as it's available..

Old exams and solutions from previous semesters are posted on the web as study guides.  Math 131 tests given in Fall 1997 or later should give at least a rough idea of the material we are covering and the style of examination.  (Any exams older that Fall 1997 involved a different text and are less useful.)   Copies of some of these exams should also be available to view or copy at the Reserve Desk on Level 2 in Olin Library.

Some students may find it beneficial to participate in a Calculus Study Group.  Study groups are organized as needed by Student Educational Services (SES), located in Umrath Hall.  They are conducted by graduate and undergraduate math students.  Students make a commitment to attend such a group regularly (not just "come when you feel like it").  If you want to participate in a study group, the information below about Student Educational Services (SES) will tell you how to proceed.

Also, some students may feel that they need help with issues related to study habits, test preparation skills, test anxiety, and similar issues.  They should also contact SES to see what kinds of help might be available.

Cornerstone and SES:  You should visit Cornerstone, the new learning center located in Gregg Hall on the South 40.  Be aware of what resources are there.  Also, make yourself familiar with Student Educational Services (SES), located within the Cornerstone area. SES writes that

Students may receive additional departmentally endorsed curricula support  through Washington University's Student Educational Service (SES) Department.  Services provided include course workshops, individual and group tutoring, academic counseling, study/test-taking skills, reading skills, and time management. To access these services, students should go to, or contact, the SES Office, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and meet with the SES staff.  After hours tutoring, workshops and course study groups, primarily in chemistry, mathematics and physics, will also be provided in cooperation with the respective departments.  All services, accessed through SES, are offered free of charge to all students.  A simple registration procedure is required.  For more information, or to schedule a meeting, contact

Leslye Steptoe, Retention and Academic Advisor, 935-5914
Ms. Kathy Wildman , Academic Skills Advisor, 935-8550
Mr. Harvey Fields , Retention and Academic Advisor, 935-5965

You may also contact the Main Office at 935-5970.  Additional information can be
obtained from the SES website (link above). The services provided by SES are viable, flexible supplements to the core course support provided by the department through lectures, help sessions and office hours.  SES services are most effective when the student regularly participates in the department instructional activities.  In addition, all department policies regarding homework will be adhered to by SES.

If by the time of the first exam (September 19), you're having a lot of difficulties, you might talk with your advisor to consider dropping back into Math 100, Foundations for Calculus.  The deadline to enter Math 100, will be Tuesday, September 24 (by which time you should have your Exam I score); however Math 100 is a limited-enrollment course so there may or may not be space remaining in the fall semester.