Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS STUDYING ACCOUNTING

A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS STUDYING ACCOUNTING

The following study guide is a series of rules and suggestions
which, if followed, will help you achieve the maximum results for
your study efforts. Although there is no substitute for HARD
WORK and a DESIRE TO LEARN, most of you can use your study time
and classroom time more efficiently.

READING THE TEXTBOOK
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1. Studying accounting is not like reading a novel or even like
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studying history, sociology, or economics.
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a. Each assignment in accounting BUILDS on previous
assignments. If you do half-hearted work in Chapter 1 and 2, you
may be confused by Chapter 3 and lost by Chapter 4.

b. Accounting books are condensed. Almost every sentence is
important. Scan reading just does not work!

2. Read to understand "WHY."
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a. This is a technical subject, it is logical, and it
requires reasoning.

b. Strive to be able to say, "I understand why they do
that." If you can understand "WHY" in accounting, there is very
little to memorize.

c. Try to explain every new topic in your own words.
Putting the new ideas into your own words is better that reciting
the words of the text a hundred times.

3. Work problems to understand "HOW."
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a. Even though you understand "why they do that" in
accounting, you must be able to do it yourself. This is a
do-it-yourself course.

b. To be sure that you understand "how" as well as "why,"
work the problems that are shown with the reading material.
Don't copy the book. Try your own skill and then check your
answers.

4. Remember "why"and "how.
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a. Go back to previous chapters and notes to refresh your
memory. Rework problems that were difficult for you. Try to
work extra problems that are similar to the assigned homework.

b. Never wait until examination time to review your
accounting.

The REVIEW-AS-YOU-GO plan produces better results, doesn't
take as long, and saves all that last minute worry and sacrifice
of other courses. The forgetting curve is the mirror image of
the learning curve. You forget as fast as you learn

It is a scientific fact that information that has been
forgotten requires that it be relearned, requiring the same time
it took to learn it the first time.

5. If there is something you do not understand, prepare
specific questions to ask your instructor. Some students keep a
notebook of points with which they have questions. PIN-POINT THE
ITEMS THAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Don't make vague comments to
your instructor such as "I don't understand any of this
material." Such statements are a strong indication to the
instructor that you have made no attempt to try to understand,
and will receive very little sympathy or help.

WORKING HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
-------------------------
1. READ THE PROBLEM! Read the instructions and scan the
problem to see what is ahead.

2. Work the problems without "PAGE FLIPPING" back to the
chapter.

a. When in doubt, look back at the chapter -- but NOT until
you have tried to do the problem on your won. This indicates
that you do not remember the chapter material. You are not
prepared for an examination.

b. The "PAGE-PLIPPING" method is guaranteed to waste a
maximum of your time and to produce a minimum of results.

3. Keep up with the class! IT IS EASIER TO KEEP UP THAN TO
CATCH UP!!

A. Check your problem against the solution presented in
class.

b. Be sure that you understand the correct solution.

4. Note the part of the problem with which you have difficulty
and ask questions during the classroom session.

MAKE BEST USE OF CLASS TIME
---------------------------
1. Classes are never interesting unless you TAKE PART.

2. ALWAYS BE PREPARED before you go to class.

3. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS. If you have a question,
at least ten other students probably have the same question but
are afraid to ask because it might sound like a dumb question.

4. Students who make FAILING GRADES also fail to attend
classes, fail to pay attention during class, fail to have their
homework,and fail to ask the instructor for help until it is too
late. And when they do ask, it isn't for help. They go to the
instructor to offer poor excuses for poor performance which the
instructor has heard from other students over the years.
Remember, when you start your career after graduation, excuses
won't be a substitute for poor performance; nor will it earn you
a grade in this course.

PREPARING FOR EXAMS
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1. Be specific in your study; concentrate on the things which
seem to be most important.

a. Note items that the instructor emphasizes in class.

b. Note homework problems that are assigned.

2. Do not stop with just "getting the idea." Be sure that you
can work problems without the aid of the book. Practice by
teaching the material to someone else. Study groups of two or
three students work well for this purpose.

3. Every exam has an element of speed. Have your "hows" and
"whys" at your finger tips. If you are slow, you probably need
to study more.

4. The questions on exams approach the material from a slightly
different angle to test your ability to REASON AND UNDERSTAND
rather than your ability to memorize.

5. When taking exams, many points are lost and questions missed
because the student does not READ THE PROBLEM. This is
especially true with multiple choice questions. Read what the
question is really asking, not what you think or want it to
ask..AVOID CARELESS ERRORS. On each exam, assume that you have
made several careless errors and allow enough time at the end of
the exam to look for them.

6. An excellent strategy to use when taking an exam is to
quickly look through the entire exam and answer all of the
questions that are easy for you. Those are "sure" points and
help to relieve the pressure when you go back to work on the more
difficult and time-consuming problems.

7. The greatest weakness in a student's ability to take an exam
is to keep up a good STEADY PACE without the clock causing the
student to panic. Remember, when you panic by constantly
thinking about the time factor, the mind closes up on you and
that ends any chance you have to do well. It is better to
concentrate on answering only 80% of the questions and getting
them all correct than to answer all of the question and missing
half of them. Of course it is best to answer all of the questions
and get them all correct, which is only possible if you
concentrate, keep your composure, and maintain a steady pace.


END

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