Is having bad resources from university normal?

[renobueno4153]

Hey, Im now in my second semester of my nanoscience degree and my first semester has been really dang.

The resources I was given by my courses are really really awefull. These scripts and even the lectures itself were awefull. In Chemistry my scripts was full of mistakes and my scripts in Math and Physics were unreadable. Like it has no structure whatsoever. The worst problems in my scripts is that there are either gigantic mathematical jumps in derivations or concepts being introduced like e.g. F = ma and then nothing will be mentioned about that afterwards about that topic. No insight in why that mathematical statement is so important or why it works. It feels more like a big formula book than an actual study material to grasp the concepts. I even went over with a Math major (almost done with their Bachelors) over my math script and even they said it has no structure and was extremely confused about how anyone would be able to study with it.

I feel like I'm just wasting so much of my time with trying to make sense of my given resources. At some point I even completely abandoned my sources and went for the internet.

Ever since I passed my exams, I'm thinking about transferring to a different university in the hopes of getting at least scripts that make sense to read. I'm so confused about what to do. I really love life science, but not receiving the bare minimum of resources to guide me or to give me a reference point feels like not being given a chance to succeed.

When looking back at my first semester, I feel like a stranger waiting on the bus station which just all of the blue decided to study for an exam and not like a proper university student who gets a little bit of guidance.

Is this problem only with my uni, or is that the general problem? Like do I have to accept and get comfortable with the feeling of being lost in the material?

 

[Muu9]

Look for external resources, e.g. David Tong's notes or MIT courses. If those make it clearer, then it's not on you. Just remember to do some problems as well.

 

[CrysPhys]

Hey, Im now in my second semester of my nanoscience degree and my first semester has been really dang.

I even went over with a Math major (almost done with their Bachelors) over my math script and even they said it has no structure and was extremely confused about how anyone would be able to study with it.

Is this problem only with my uni, or is that the general problem? Like do I have to accept and get comfortable with the feeling of being lost in the material?

What you describe is not the norm for decent universities. Was the math major you consulted a student at the same university, or a different one? Have you looked over course material at your university for more traditional courses (math, physics, chemistry, ...)? Perhaps the problem lies with the "nanoscience" degree? When was this program established? And what does it cover? And clarify that you're talking about an undergrad program?

You mention that it is under the umbrella of life science:

I really love life science, but not receiving the bare minimum of resources to guide me or to give me a reference point feels like not being given a chance to succeed.

I'm a bit confused by that.

How do other students in your classes feel about the program? Have you and others voiced your difficulties to the professors?