5 answers
Tawina
Student
Albany, Oregon
1
Question
Asked
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What study techniques must a college student acquire in order to succeed in advance math or science classes?
I'm a student at a community college pursuing an engineering associate's degree. Recently, I've been struggling with classes that involve complex math or science concepts. Examples of such classes are multivariable calculus and general physics with calculus. Also, I’m a slower learner, and it takes me a while to understand the concepts better. However, since the community college follows a quarter system, I always feel I do not have enough time to go over stuff I've learned in class. Thus, I'd like to know if there is a specific way to study for complex topics or any study tips that can help to retain more information
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5 answers
Sandy Rodriguez
HR
1
Answer
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Sandy’s Answer
That's a great question, and it's awesome that you're eager to succeed! Here are some friendly tips to help you do well in advanced math or science:
- Get hands-on with practice. These subjects are best learned by solving problems, not just reading.
- Study a little bit every day. It's way better than trying to learn everything at once.
- Don't hesitate to ask questions. Clearing up confusion early makes everything easier later.
- Use different resources like textbooks, videos, study groups, and office hours to help you understand better.
- Try teaching what you've learned. Explaining it out loud helps you grasp the material quickly.
- Get hands-on with practice. These subjects are best learned by solving problems, not just reading.
- Study a little bit every day. It's way better than trying to learn everything at once.
- Don't hesitate to ask questions. Clearing up confusion early makes everything easier later.
- Use different resources like textbooks, videos, study groups, and office hours to help you understand better.
- Try teaching what you've learned. Explaining it out loud helps you grasp the material quickly.
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
224
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Based on your description, I have a feeling that your difficulty in learning complex/advanced concepts is a symptom of lacking prior foundational preparation in mathematics.
I would recommend that you go back to review your previous math classes and do an honest assessment of your comprehension of the materials. Mathematics is a sequential study. Every course is built upon a previous class. Hence, it is difficult to build mathematical knowledge on a weak foundation.
For example, Multivariable Calculus (Calculus III) is built upon the foundation of both Calculus I (Differential Calculus) and Calculus II (Integral Calculus). Without a good foundation in both Calculus I and Calculus II, it is not easy to tackle Multivariable Calculus, which is Calculus I and Calculus II combined in three dimensions.
My advice would be to go back and rebuild your foundation. Once it is done, you would find your course work a lot more manageable.
I would recommend that you go back to review your previous math classes and do an honest assessment of your comprehension of the materials. Mathematics is a sequential study. Every course is built upon a previous class. Hence, it is difficult to build mathematical knowledge on a weak foundation.
For example, Multivariable Calculus (Calculus III) is built upon the foundation of both Calculus I (Differential Calculus) and Calculus II (Integral Calculus). Without a good foundation in both Calculus I and Calculus II, it is not easy to tackle Multivariable Calculus, which is Calculus I and Calculus II combined in three dimensions.
My advice would be to go back and rebuild your foundation. Once it is done, you would find your course work a lot more manageable.
Eduardo Corpeño
Electrical and Computer Engineer
1
Answer
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Eduardo’s Answer
Hi there. First, there's nothing is wrong with being a slow learner. Slow learners often become strong learners because they build real understanding instead of rushing.
One study technique that helps a lot in math and physics is the Top-Down approach. Most students are taught bottom up: They start crunching numbers or memorizing steps before they understand what the problem is asking. That works only if you already know the pattern. When you are learning something new, it usually fails.
Top-Down is simpler:
Start with the question. Ask yourself what the problem wants from you. Then write an obvious equation that contains that exact variable. After that, look at what pieces of information that equation needs. If one of those pieces is unknown, write the equation for that one next, and you have a new problem. You keep doing this until everything reduces to known values. Then you work your way back up and plug everything in.
This keeps you from getting lost. It also forces you to think clearly instead of guessing steps.
A few extra tips that help in fast quarter systems:
- Keep a small toolbox of formulas for each class. One sheet per chapter.
- When you practice problems, do not try to finish as many as possible. Instead, slow down and understand each step.
- Always check units. This helps catch a lot of mistakes early.
-When you get an answer, ask if it makes sense. If it does not, backtrack.
You can succeed in these classes. You just need a method that is built for learning instead of memorizing. The top down approach does exactly that. If you use it consistently, the concepts start feeling less chaotic and you will keep more of what you study.
Give the method a try: Take a problem from a textbook and answer the question with an equation. That equation contains your next problems in each of the unknowns.
One study technique that helps a lot in math and physics is the Top-Down approach. Most students are taught bottom up: They start crunching numbers or memorizing steps before they understand what the problem is asking. That works only if you already know the pattern. When you are learning something new, it usually fails.
Top-Down is simpler:
Start with the question. Ask yourself what the problem wants from you. Then write an obvious equation that contains that exact variable. After that, look at what pieces of information that equation needs. If one of those pieces is unknown, write the equation for that one next, and you have a new problem. You keep doing this until everything reduces to known values. Then you work your way back up and plug everything in.
This keeps you from getting lost. It also forces you to think clearly instead of guessing steps.
A few extra tips that help in fast quarter systems:
- Keep a small toolbox of formulas for each class. One sheet per chapter.
- When you practice problems, do not try to finish as many as possible. Instead, slow down and understand each step.
- Always check units. This helps catch a lot of mistakes early.
-When you get an answer, ask if it makes sense. If it does not, backtrack.
You can succeed in these classes. You just need a method that is built for learning instead of memorizing. The top down approach does exactly that. If you use it consistently, the concepts start feeling less chaotic and you will keep more of what you study.
Eduardo recommends the following next steps:
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
150
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Tawina,
Your situation is not unique. It happens with many students: many are slow, others are fast. Most of us fall in between. Being slow takes nothing away from your ability to become an engineer.
Approaching a mathematical field of study from first principles is very helpful: being able to reproduce known mathematical expressions using basic steps involved gives you insight into how such expressions have been formulated. This can be very helpful during examinations when formulae aren't at your finger tips.
Frequent use of mathematical expressions tends to improve our ability to remember. Eventually, we have them at our finger tips. Practice, practice and practice - all will be well.
Spare enough time to revise: it improves memory. It's good practice to spend more time on areas where you are facing challenges - without compromising areas where you are already good. Wish you success.
Your situation is not unique. It happens with many students: many are slow, others are fast. Most of us fall in between. Being slow takes nothing away from your ability to become an engineer.
Approaching a mathematical field of study from first principles is very helpful: being able to reproduce known mathematical expressions using basic steps involved gives you insight into how such expressions have been formulated. This can be very helpful during examinations when formulae aren't at your finger tips.
Frequent use of mathematical expressions tends to improve our ability to remember. Eventually, we have them at our finger tips. Practice, practice and practice - all will be well.
Spare enough time to revise: it improves memory. It's good practice to spend more time on areas where you are facing challenges - without compromising areas where you are already good. Wish you success.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hello Tawina. As someone who taught mathematics before working in higher education, I understand how challenging advanced math and science courses can feel, especially when you are dealing with fast-paced classes and complicated ideas. Many students think they are "slow learners," but usually they just need the right study methods.
There are study techniques that can help you learn better and remember more. One of the best techniques is spaced practice. This means studying a little every day instead of trying to learn everything at once. When I was a math teacher, I noticed huge improvement in students who reviewed regularly.
Another helpful method is active learning. This means doing something with the information instead of just reading or watching. For math, that means working through problems, explaining steps out loud, or teaching the concept to someone else. If you get stuck, try again before checking the solution. This struggle is normal and actually helps you learn. Simply rereading notes often gives the feeling of understanding, but solving problems shows your true level of understanding.
There are study techniques that can help you learn better and remember more. One of the best techniques is spaced practice. This means studying a little every day instead of trying to learn everything at once. When I was a math teacher, I noticed huge improvement in students who reviewed regularly.
Another helpful method is active learning. This means doing something with the information instead of just reading or watching. For math, that means working through problems, explaining steps out loud, or teaching the concept to someone else. If you get stuck, try again before checking the solution. This struggle is normal and actually helps you learn. Simply rereading notes often gives the feeling of understanding, but solving problems shows your true level of understanding.