Getting The Most Out Of Astronomy Lab

Reading:
Reading the lab before you come to class is so crucial to understanding the material. The lab may not make much sense to you as you read it, but the lecture should clear up your confusion. It is better to have exposed yourself to the material before coming to the lab. It will be that much harder to understand the material if the day of the lab is the first time you've ever laid eyes on the material. In other words, READ THE LAB MANUAL!!

Math Skills:
Unfortunately, this class does require minimal math knowledge. The concepts that are used in astronomy have come from our fabulously smart friends in physics (astronomy is physics applied to the large scale universe). Therefore, you need to be able to solve simple algebraic equations. We will deal with fractions, and we will also convert units. I find that these skills are lacking for most students. You need to practice by reviewing an algebra book. If you can't do these simple examples then you may not meet the math requirements for this lab.

Take Notes:
Each lab is led by a lecture that usually lasts around 30 minutes. This lecture is geared towards giving you the basic concepts used in the lab. The instructor will also warn you of any frequently made mistakes. So, pay close attention and take notes. The notes will help you during the lab, and they will also aid you in studying for the quiz later.

Ask questions:
This point is so key to understanding the lecture. The minute you are confused during the lecture ASK A QUESTION. You don't even have to actually ask a question, just raise your hand and say "HUH?" I promise you that the majority of the class is just as confused as you are, but noone wants to ask. Don't be embarrassed. The only way I'll know the general population is confused is if someone speaks up. I'm there to try to dispense knowledge, not to hear myself talk.

Ask Three Before You Ask Me
This point is not only a good suggestion, it is actually a rule in my lab. Most people learn by doing and not by being told what to do. You should really read the question before you declare "I don't know what they are asking me". Start by disecting the question. Look at each word carefully and try to decipher what it means in that context. This is not an easy task, but it is a beneficial skill to have and not just for astronomy lab. If you've read the question carefully and are still confused as to your next step then ask the person next to you. You should ask three people each from a different group before you resort to asking me. This way when you get to me you have already discussed the question and you will be more likely to absorb my response. The other advantage to this method is maintaining my sanity. Having to answer the same question over and over again can really drain a person's spirit. So, ask and work with the people around you. You will learn more that way, and you will have a much happier instructor!