Math Talk

This is another response to an email from a student, who was asking (not complaining) about the amount of work we instructors are requiring.

Dear Student,

Time spent actually doing mathematics (e.g. the homework) is perhaps the strongest indicator for success. I.e., if you do the work, you'll do well, if you don't, you'll probably fail.

Our expectation is that you'll be doing approximately 3-4 hours of study and homework for each hour of lectures, so about 9-11 hours per week. This is quite a bit more than is expected in high-school, where the average amount of time per week on homework for *all* class is approximately 5-6 hours. Of course, you're a better than average student, so I'm sure you put in more hours than that. The transition is still probably a shock :) This is one of the most difficult adjustments to make in coming to first year university math classes.

The expectation is likely the same for many of your other courses. If you're taking 5 courses in a term, you're expected to do around hours per week, outside of lectures, commuting to school, etc. Some parts of this will be easier than others, but still, that's a big sustained workload. Learning is a full time (and maybe then some) job.

I wish I knew of a better way to learn, but this seems to be how it works - practice, practice, practice. Whether it's golf or hockey, piano or poetry, mathematics or physics - its all about the hours spent working at it.

The good news is that in a few weeks you'll find that you're far better at basic mathematics skills than you've ever been, and that learning new material will come more easily. The start is often the hardest part. It does get easier, assignments will go faster, and we may even ease off a bit!

Also, make sure to ask for help - no matter how 'simple' the problem should be. Work on a problem until you get stuck, work a little more, then make a note to ask and put it aside, then move on to the next one. There's only so much value in going around in circles.

Pay close attention when you find you've made a mistake - you check answers and it's not what you expected, or get marked papers back - delve deeply to discover the source of your error (carelessness? or a fundamental misunderstanding?) ["Close your feedback loops, look back, reflect"]

Don't be discouraged by confusion - this is a sign that you are learning. But watch out for frustration. That's a sign to work on something different for a while. ["Pay attention to your feelings - they're fundamental to learning"]

Study with others. First, you learn better, and faster. Second (and not un-relatedly) you have more fun. Third, it's a great motivation. All of this work reduces the time we have for a social life, and at least some compensation is to make learning social. This is one of the reasons we have schools and universities - in principle, you could learn all of this material by going to the library and reading and doing problems from a textbook - no need for a prof, other students, exams, etc. But most people find it easier to work/learn/live in groups ["Learning is social"]

So, don't be discouraged!

Your instructor