Linear Algebra II over the summer

[Physics-UG]

Hey guys,

I'm currently enrolled to take Linear Algebra in the fall, however, after talking with a friend in math, he recommended since it's quite a brutal course that I take it over the summer. Does anyone here think that's a terrible idea? My reasoning for asking is because here we don't calculate GPA from summer courses, however, summer courses are only 5-6 weeks long, so you're in the same class 5 days a week for longer days than your normal fall term. Would you recommend I avoid doing this, or do you think it's manageable?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ModestyKing]

If you've taken an abstract math or proof-based course before, then you should be fine taking Linear Algebra in the Fall and having it counted in your GPA. However, if you haven't, you may consider the summer course. You could probably spend your summer more productively (job, internship, research?) than taking a class if you have the option.
I really enjoyed Linear Algebra, but it usually took me rereading the material 3 times before I understood it enough to do more than half of the problems in each section - even working with peers was hard since almost everyone was equally befuddled on the difficult parts. Thankfully our teacher dedicated half an hour each Monday class period to letting us come in and work with each other and/or ask him for help, for those really tough homework problems. If the course at your university is anything like mine, I heavily suggest having a study/homework group - where you all try the homework individually first, then meet up before it's due to help each other with the ones you can't figure out. It may be harder to get a study group in the summer where you're at, but I don't know your institution.
Good luck!

 

[Physics-UG]

If you've taken an abstract math or proof-based course before, then you should be fine taking Linear Algebra in the Fall and having it counted in your GPA. However, if you haven't, you may consider the summer course. You could probably spend your summer more productively (job, internship, research?) than taking a class if you have the option.
I really enjoyed Linear Algebra, but it usually took me rereading the material 3 times before I understood it enough to do more than half of the problems in each section - even working with peers was hard since almost everyone was equally befuddled on the difficult parts. Thankfully our teacher dedicated half an hour each Monday class period to letting us come in and work with each other and/or ask him for help, for those really tough homework problems. If the course at your university is anything like mine, I heavily suggest having a study/homework group - where you all try the homework individually first, then meet up before it's due to help each other with the ones you can't figure out. It may be harder to get a study group in the summer where you're at, but I don't know your institution.
Good luck!

Technically, my math is way ahead of my physics courses. I take my first uni physics course this coming fall, meanwhile, before this fall I will have taken 2 calc courses and 2 lin lag courses (assuming I take this one in the summer, which I think I will.) So research is out of the question for now haha. But, since I haven't taken any abstract math yet, I think I'll just take it over the summer. I don't really find linear algebra that interesting, in all honesty. I like calculus a lot, but I dread my lin alg class haha. Thanks for the help!