SHM Basics -- Series and parallel springs, conceptual question

[Jon Drake]

Suppose we are asked to find the time period of vertical oscillations of this system. Then should we find the component of displacement along each spring and then add the forces by vector method or should we simplify the diagram into series and parallel connection like in electrical circuits and then solve?

 

[Dr.D]

Find the equivalent stiffness of the spring combination, then treat them all as a single effective spring.