- #1
fei1
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Hi everyone. Last semester I took a "fast" section of Real Analysis I (Rudin) and struggled immensely. In class, I often felt like I somehow got lost in the details and missed out on what each theorem was actually doing--i.e. the big picture. And I was not great with the details. Most other kids seemed to be able to keep up, but I often stared at my notes trying to figure out how certain steps followed.
When doing problem sets, I started as soon as possible but usually ended up getting nowhere and feeling discouraged. Throughout the semester I relied on friends, the TA, problem sessions to grind my way through each set. By the end of the semester I almost never slept on the night before a set was due. Part of the problem was that problem sessions were always on the night before the set was due and, by relying on them when doing my sets, I always ended up pulling miserable all-nighters.
I kept plugging away like this throughout the semester, spending a lot of my time in the library looking at math, because I thought I was still capable. I mean, I thought I was doing bad because either I was not trying hard enough or I had a confidence/psychological issue or something. Sometimes, even really easy/obvious problems escaped me so when I finally saw it I just thought this was just my mind playing with me.
In the end I made it through the course with a bad grade and now have to decide whether to keep taking this fast section or not. I felt I've learned a lot from the class. And I liked the class for the fact that the teacher/TA really cared about the students and were organized. If I switch I feel like I'm going to regret missing the chance to learn more. I'm also concerned that I won't be able to adjust as easily to other sections because they cover slightly different material.
At the same time, in the fast section, I always felt I was behind the other students. I hated having to rely on other people on almost all of my problems--I mean, I want to be able to solve problems for myself. Also, the class began to take all of my time. While math is interesting, I also hope to pursue other interests while at college, so I don't want go through another semester like my last. Of course, in the slower section,
I have higher hopes for my grade as well.
Is it possible that I struggled in my previous class because I was was, um, sort of "psyching" myself out? Would a change to a slower section be a solution to this situation?
Anyways, can anyone pass along any advice, comments, or experiences about this situation? Sorry for long post.
When doing problem sets, I started as soon as possible but usually ended up getting nowhere and feeling discouraged. Throughout the semester I relied on friends, the TA, problem sessions to grind my way through each set. By the end of the semester I almost never slept on the night before a set was due. Part of the problem was that problem sessions were always on the night before the set was due and, by relying on them when doing my sets, I always ended up pulling miserable all-nighters.
I kept plugging away like this throughout the semester, spending a lot of my time in the library looking at math, because I thought I was still capable. I mean, I thought I was doing bad because either I was not trying hard enough or I had a confidence/psychological issue or something. Sometimes, even really easy/obvious problems escaped me so when I finally saw it I just thought this was just my mind playing with me.
In the end I made it through the course with a bad grade and now have to decide whether to keep taking this fast section or not. I felt I've learned a lot from the class. And I liked the class for the fact that the teacher/TA really cared about the students and were organized. If I switch I feel like I'm going to regret missing the chance to learn more. I'm also concerned that I won't be able to adjust as easily to other sections because they cover slightly different material.
At the same time, in the fast section, I always felt I was behind the other students. I hated having to rely on other people on almost all of my problems--I mean, I want to be able to solve problems for myself. Also, the class began to take all of my time. While math is interesting, I also hope to pursue other interests while at college, so I don't want go through another semester like my last. Of course, in the slower section,
I have higher hopes for my grade as well.
Is it possible that I struggled in my previous class because I was was, um, sort of "psyching" myself out? Would a change to a slower section be a solution to this situation?
Anyways, can anyone pass along any advice, comments, or experiences about this situation? Sorry for long post.