A lot of exercises to understand topics (Math)

[annaphys]

Hello,

I have a few free days next week where I want to review the topics from this semester and would like people's opinions on how to go about really getting the most out of my free time. I am currently taking math classes from the math department and am wondering, should I focus on doing as many problems as possible instead of just re-reading the text? Is it in general good practice to do more problems than reading the theory? Of course one needs some theory before tackling problems but I believe one can only understand the theory when one actually tries to solve problems.

But I guess this can also go with physics, should I read the subjects in the book and focus majority of my time on solving problems?

I'd like to hear any personal experiences on how you succeeded in real math courses.

 

[fresh_42]

Solving problems can take you a lot of time, so re-reading the lectures might be more effective.

This was as general as possible. Now come the details which could lead to a different recommendation:

• Do you study physics or even more important, engineering? In this case you should do as many exercises as possible.
• Which kind of exams will you face? Learn whatever will increase your score.
• Are you studying philosophy or are heading towards logic? Learn the theory.

The truth lies probably somewhere in between, i.e. it depends on so much more information to give a good advice than you were sharing with us.

 

[annaphys]

The info given is physics and math. I'm in undergrad so maybe that helps a bit more. My question was more based off the already-given info, that I am taking math courses with math students and wanted to know what worked for others who took such courses.