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Intensive Latin (LAT 104)
William A. Johnson

 STUDY GUIDE

In general, if you conscientiously work on the memorization and exercises required at home and in class, you'll find that Latin is not difficult. But what is difficult is to be conscientious: which means working every day on your Latin, and thinking hard when you do work. Nota bene: it's not how much time you spend, but how regularly you study, and how hard you think.

Important notes on study technique: (1) Make flash cards for vocabulary and forms. Work on these not in one grueling stretch, but ten minutes here and there throughout the day: while you're waiting for a class to start, while you're riding on a bus, over coffee in the morning. To look at these repeatedly, not for long periods of time, is what will be effective in the long run. (2) As you work through a chapter, make notes in the margin of your book or homework of questions or confusions. You can't ask questions if you are organized well enough to be able to recall what they were. And don't be shy about asking questions: it's your right, as a student, to have your questions answered. (3) Do work together, if you like, on memorization and readings. Memorization, in particular, is much more agreeable with a friend. It's okay to ask other students questions about written homework, too, but written homework should always be done primarily by yourself.

Drills: you may find useful the following computer drills available over the web:

Sample tests: these will help you have some idea of what you'll face in the examination room