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How can I study better for College Math?
I am in college studying Pre-calculus.
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Andrew’s Answer
It is imperative to emphasize that mathematics is a language. Therefore, like learning any language, the only way to learn mathematics is to practice, practice, and practice. Mathematics is not a spectator sport.
There are two aspects of learning mathematics, competency, and proficiency. Unfortunately, many math instructors overemphasize competency at the expense of proficiency. For example, a student may understand conceptually how to solve a linear equation. Therefore, he/she is competent in solving linear equations. However, if it takes half an hour to come up with the solution, the student is not proficient in solving linear equations. Such deficiency will have serious consequence in subsequent math courses where solving linear equations would be considered second nature. The above argument applies to all other topics in students’ mathematical preparation.
Based on my teaching experience, many college students are weak in their foundational preparation in mathematics. They will have a hard time tackling both College Algebra as well as Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry, the two components of Pre-Calculus. Since mathematical knowledge is culminative, if one is weak in the fundamental preparation, the viable approach to go back to developmental math to bridge possible gaps in competency and proficiency.
It was 60 years ago when I was in high school. I was told by my teacher that I was weak in mathematics. It took a year or so, I tackled all, I mean all, the exercises in my algebra, trigonometry, and geometry in the textbooks I was using. It helped when I started from simple problems and progressed slowly to more complicated ones as I built up confidence as well as proficiency.
There are two aspects of learning mathematics, competency, and proficiency. Unfortunately, many math instructors overemphasize competency at the expense of proficiency. For example, a student may understand conceptually how to solve a linear equation. Therefore, he/she is competent in solving linear equations. However, if it takes half an hour to come up with the solution, the student is not proficient in solving linear equations. Such deficiency will have serious consequence in subsequent math courses where solving linear equations would be considered second nature. The above argument applies to all other topics in students’ mathematical preparation.
Based on my teaching experience, many college students are weak in their foundational preparation in mathematics. They will have a hard time tackling both College Algebra as well as Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry, the two components of Pre-Calculus. Since mathematical knowledge is culminative, if one is weak in the fundamental preparation, the viable approach to go back to developmental math to bridge possible gaps in competency and proficiency.
It was 60 years ago when I was in high school. I was told by my teacher that I was weak in mathematics. It took a year or so, I tackled all, I mean all, the exercises in my algebra, trigonometry, and geometry in the textbooks I was using. It helped when I started from simple problems and progressed slowly to more complicated ones as I built up confidence as well as proficiency.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Kelleya
Updated
Seema’s Answer
Math is such a hard subject for so many people. What I have found is that practicing math is the best way to learn it. It will take extra effort, but once you become comfortable, you will learn to enjoy it. Work on different types of math problems with different methods and different solution types. If you are having trouble, work with a tutor. I believe most colleges offer math tutoring.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Kelleya
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Kelleya,
Great question. During college, math was my worst subject and I had such a hard time trying to get into the groove of things once beginning specifically my math courses. The number one thing I would recommend to do is GO TO MATH TUTORING SESSIONS. Whether it be starting your own tutoring group with further other classmates, or even attending professors tutoring recommended sessions. That's honestly what got me through college in general, as well as your putting yourself on the radar with your professors. This can help tremendously with trying to grasp extra credit, as well as you will have one-on-one time with your professors in comparison to having less than 2 minutes of help in a general classroom setting. I have had much experience with this situation, and personally I can recommend to you that the more help, the better.
I hope this helps Kelleya, and good look with your further endeavors in college!
Great question. During college, math was my worst subject and I had such a hard time trying to get into the groove of things once beginning specifically my math courses. The number one thing I would recommend to do is GO TO MATH TUTORING SESSIONS. Whether it be starting your own tutoring group with further other classmates, or even attending professors tutoring recommended sessions. That's honestly what got me through college in general, as well as your putting yourself on the radar with your professors. This can help tremendously with trying to grasp extra credit, as well as you will have one-on-one time with your professors in comparison to having less than 2 minutes of help in a general classroom setting. I have had much experience with this situation, and personally I can recommend to you that the more help, the better.
I hope this helps Kelleya, and good look with your further endeavors in college!
Thank you for the advice.
Kelleya
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
To prepare effectively for College Math, consistently practice sample problems. Numerous online resources, like Khan Academy and Youtube, offer valuable support for learning and mastering math.
Thanks for the help.
Kelleya
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
The best way to study math is to do a lot of practice. Look at your text book for the end of chapter questions and practice solving them. If answers are not provided in the textbook, see if you can ask your professor for some answers that you can use to compare with your own. If you start to run out of practice questions to use, then it never hurts to redo question you have already solved. You want to make sure you understand the process to solving different types of questions thoroughly so that you are not surprised when you are taking an exam and the question is slightly different from what you are used to.
Updated
Siddharth’s Answer
The best way to learn math especially calculus is to practice daily. There a lot of online tutorials. I would recommend to try Khan academy which is very useful for basics.