Don’t overdo it
For many students, several short sessions will be more effective than a single long session. ALEKS is designed to keep you working at the edge of your comfort zone, so that you can make rapid progress, and pushing your limits is hard work. Of course, if you’re on a roll, go with the flow!
End each session on a positive note
Wrap up a session after you’ve cracked a challenging problem or achieved mastery of a topic. That will make it much easier to get yourself started on the next session. If you’re getting tired or frustrated, take a short break or watch some tutorial videos, but come back and go for some success – possibly just one correct answer – before calling it a day.
Let it all hang out
Both formal research and anecdotal evidence suggest that vocalizing can be a highly effective way of reducing stress, particularly when performing intellectual tasks. Swear, sing, whoop it up when you finally get a topic that’s been baffling you. Your roommates will survive.
When in doubt, go clockwise
One of the great features of ALEKS is the freedom you have to choose what to study, from among the topics ALEKS thinks you’re ready to work on, but if you’re having a tough time deciding where to start, moving clockwise around your pie will typically take from more basic to more advanced topics.