@@EfraM83 Myself? Or the math sorcerer? If you want to communicate with the sorcere better to reach out to him via email or directly reply to one of his comments.
My advice will be "Don't be afraid or panic if it takes time. Just concentrate on the moment, on what you are doing. Overtime you will finish and be good at it."
@@TheMathSorcerer , Fucking awesome advice dude. Does distraction include listening advice on how not to be distracted? If it is I am done. You are right man. I am constantly on the internet, so much my provider clocking me on the possibility of experiencing slow internet speed. Who cares, fuck them, whomever they may be.
All three of pieces of advice work extremely well with the Pomodoro technique. You just turn everything off, declare what you want to work on and then work on it without breaking focus for 25 minutes. Take a break for 5 minutes. Do this three more times and then you can look at your phone or eat lunch. I picked this up in grad school and it probably saved my academic career!
Always study with an empty stomach. Lacking energy is different and hving an empty stomach is different 😒. When u eat food then your body spends energy on the digestive process hence making u feel sleepy.
My advice from different perspective of learning process: As a person who knows one guy who read plenty of books about programming, and didn't write a single line of code... My main advice: make all exercises! Try to not skip any of those. (skip only if they hard for you) Second advice: don't rush to see the answers. (give it a time to try to solve it yourself) Third advice: don't overuse spatial thinking.(details below) Third advice is tricky, so I'll describe it in details. I see everywhere today trend to describe solution/proof by some visual representation, most often by some graphics, spatial diagrams like number line with arrows on it etc. It can be helpful to understand if you can't get other explanations, if you for some reason unable to understand solution at this point in time in learning process. But, in my opinion, often those solutions came from other approach, then they were visualized (as some kind of conversion) into graphical representation, which actually misleading way of thinking (way to approach the problem). What are those other ways of thinking? Well... those include analytical, logic, algebraic thinking. If you overuse spatial thinking/reasoning, you'll end up unable to solve/prove/understand many things that is not much understandable graphically, which is big part of abstract mathematics.
@@todaytodaywithdavy maybe I was too harsh to pick word thinking... It's more about approach. By analytic approach I mean proofs/solutions going from calculus. Sometimes it's just calculus, when it's easy to rephrase and solve by it. Or it may happen when something very surprisingly proved by calculus. By algebraic approach I mean when you juggle formulas. Main thing here is to know for sure that your juggling correct. For example formula for pythagorean tripples can be derived by algebra. More easier example is sum of 1 to N. You first say 1+2+3+...+N = S and N+(N-1)+...+2+1=S, then using algebra you say that you can add both equations, and get (1+N)+(2+(N-1))+(3+(N-2))+...(2+N-1)+(N+1)=S+S. And then open braces to get N*(N+1) = 2*S, then simply divide by 2 both sides: S = N*(N+1)/2. There is geometric approach to this sum, but it's basically same thing without algebra. Oh, I think there is better example. Formula: (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab +b^2 can be easily derived by opening braces, but there is way to struggle with rectangles. There is video on youtube about (a+b)^3 where they cut 3D cube. In the end, logic approach is when you prove some properties one by another and stack them together to get the result. Some of properties may be derived by algebra, some by calculus, some by geometry or other stuff. Some by logic rules like contraposition.
@@todaytodaywithdavy I want to give two examples, but text turned up too long, so I'll leave only one example :(. First is classic "heavier coin". Suppose you're given N coins and every coin except one is exactly same. The one which isn't - you know it's heavier. By they look completely same. You have equal-shoulder scales which allows you to compare any group of coins by its weights. How many comparisons you need to find out heavier coin in any case if you pick groups optimally? In other words, for any strategy to find out heavier coin in any situation (for fixed N), how much steps does optimal strategy in worst case? And to solve it, there is following observation: for any strategy, you can list all of its actions for each of possible situations. There is N possible situations: coin 1 is heavier, coin 2 is heavier and so on up to N. Can you name this approach? I don't have an answer. Alright, keep going. So, for any given strategy that can find heavier coin, there is list of N lists of steps for those cases. But their meaning that those steps are required, means that there is no case with heavier coin C, and its list of actions is just shorter than some list for coin D. Otherwise when we finish list of actions for D we have two options: heavier coin is C or D, because to find out they have same steps we did, but for some reason coin C additional steps required. So this is impossible for optimal strategy. Also, lists of strategy require to have same first weighing. Then, for cases with same outcome, their lists should have same second weighing. So, because we have only 3 outcomes: first group is heavier, second group is heavier, both groups are same. This means second weighting of lists may be up to three kinds of comparisons: one which is what we do if first outcome is first group heavier, second is what we do if second group is heavier, and third one (weighting) we do if both are same. But for first two outcomes which is same, there is also three possible actions (weightings) to do, but we know there is up to 3 different first + second actions. And for each of them therefore up to 3*3 = 9 different outcomes first+second+third actions. Similarly we can derive that for K steps there is up to 3^k different outcomes. But we know that for N coins there has to be N different lists of actions, so 3^k >= N, thus k >= log(N) where log(N) by base 3. When log(N) is whole number, steps required is at least log(N) - we prove it. And when log(N) isn't whole number, number of steps required is at least log(N) round up. In fact there is strategy that does exactly this number of steps (weightings), and all above is actually proof that it's optimal.
since i get easily distracted by my device and the internet, what i like to do is print out the pages i plan to study for the day and just annotate and work on the book offline. if you have access to a printer i highly recommend!!
@@TheMathSorcerer i have a visual disability so I love to use digital textbooks. I can zoom in on the text if it is too small. That is not a thing that works for paper books and magnifying glasses don't work because they either blur everything for me or give me a headache. College is really tough.
I'd say the most useful tip in mathematics is to never give up on yourself or the concept at hand, always continue to think about things, those concepts will make sense given enough time and effort.
#1 is literally impossible if you have a family. One has tolearn to be able to focus in spite of all kinds of distractions and noises in the environment.
I had the same problem, and when quarantine hit hard I was using foam earplugs + construction earmuffs to concentrate. Now I just go to the library to study.
You will inevitably find that, if you do come to terms with math and understand it with ease and spontaneity, that, you will be one of the most emotionally sound and reserved people that you know.
Math is a game, is an adventure, maybe it doesn't make sense for you in the first time because it takes time and experience to make sense of some things. Just try to play the mathematics game keeping the rules. But first try to focus in grasping the meaning of those rules, after that you can by yourself advance in the mathematics adventure. Cheers!
I think it's important for all students to review first order logic. I always tell students in undergrad if they can read math their life will be easier. Many of the syntax or language in theorems/proofs incorporates this logic. Instead of glazing over words and symbols, students can start to gain an understanding of the beauty in theorems such as the fundamental theorem of calculus. First order logic spans other fields as well such as computer science and philosophy.
I totally agree and definitely my brain works this way too. I’ve only been in college 3 semesters and I distinctly remember my most productive and interesting study period was in my first semester when I had 2 hours before my next class, I sat in a cubicle in the silent library, had my math textbook printed out and annotated the reading as I read for 2 hours. I left my electronics in my backpack, and I was able to just for two hours about determinants in linear algebra, read and carefully annotate 20 pages of reading, trying to on my own make sense of what I was reading. Afterwards, i was able to understand everything I read, as well as analyze it enough that I could answer my own questions that I had while I was reading. This was pre-COVID, and now, my time and energy level has decreased significantly, I’m taking classes with wayyyyy more workload than I had back then, and I rarely have time to just sit and read the textbook as I’m such a slow reader, but it does give me hope that my struggling now isn’t because I can’t do it, just that I need to make more time to work on math.
Man it feels like I've known this stuff in the back of my head for years, but I could never properly implement them properly for my study time. I hope that eventually that I can be extremely hyper focused with studying; that I can live in an environment and be in a position where I can read from a ton of math books without looking for a PDF in a computer, with no noise, no need for music or distraction, just the pure immersion and love of studying math.
having to buy all my textbooks online so i have access to the homework is really frustrating. i know i work best with a physical textbook, the online text can be slow and take forever to load, relys on a working wifi/computer, and is hard to read off of
Turning computer off. Yeah, i think it's absolutely right. I used to use my laptop when studying (i use pdf which is in laptop), it distracts me a lot not only by notification came up, but also I more likely to feel exhausted. Now i use paperbook instead, and i get more focus.
I understand your recommendations and I agree. Unfortunately, my entire year has been online and my calculator even died so I installed a graphing calculator app. My entire workload has been online. Books, modules, tests, videos, lectures, and PowerPoints. I would have loved to have a distraction and technology free zone. I still managed to get a 4.0 in both statistics and business calculus. It was hard and frustrating. I had a challenging time with the quiz and test modules specifically because there were error messages constantly and my answers were generated incorrectly although they were correct. I'd have to start over again and figure out why the program deemed my answer incorrect and it was typically a computer error unrelated to the math question. I'd recommend an appropriate amount of time. I gave myself five hours at a time. One hour is a joke for me. Honestly, I'd never learn any new math in less than two hours. It's important to learn how to process math efficiently and figure out how you can creatively integrate it into your understanding of life. I think this takes a lot of time to do well. Thanks for the video.
Great points. I actually read mainly PDF books now and so the second option is out of it. Definitely agree with quiet and also the best time when my brain is hot and that's first thing in the morning. The last point is also great and I have been working on that on my own for a while now. Always plan before you start and do not deviate. For the second I am working on my self discipline: do not check emails and social media until a particular time and afterwards back to work. Keep it up
Close family members with a strong math background did one thing when they were young: worked on math AT LEAST 3 hours per day. One hour at school. One hour of math homework and one hour of math tutoring. Not because they were 'behind' but because they wanted to excel and get jobs which require strong mathematics, ie electrical engineers
Have you had a look at the Sony Digital paper devices in A4 format, Onyx boox reader, or the Remarkable? They all come with an e-ink display and are way less distracting than a computer or iPad while offering a gread reading/note taking experience (still not same as paper, but the best you can emulate with an electronic device). Unfortunately still expensive...
I absolutely agree with the advice in this video. My own advice as a grad student, is also to have a daily schedule, or like specific time when you _usually_ work, and hopefully it will be a time when you are productive. For me, I do my most intense studying in the morning right after breakfast/coffee. If I can get to work by 9 am or earlier, I will be super productive. If I sit down right away at 9 am, get to work immediately, and don't take breaks for internet nonsense, then by 12 noon I can accomplish the same amount of work that would otherwise take me a whole day. Another thing, is just go to whatever topic is calling you or drawing your attention at the time. Be spontaneous. Sometimes I feel the need to focus in on one topic and I will spend a few weeks really mastering one concept, and I wont look at anything else, but that can be counterproductive when taken to the extreme. For instance, right now I'm studying Ramsey theory, and I might really devote myself to that, but if I start getting bored or I'm struggling, and I keep thinking about some other cool thing like Lie Groups or Permutation matrices or something, then I find that it's often more productive to follow my curiosity, so to speak, and put down the Ramsey Theory for awhile so I can take a look Lie Groups, Permutation matrices, etc. Diligence and hard-work are great tools to have in your scholarly arsenal, but nothing tops curiosity. When you're curious and excited, learning can occur at an astonishing rate.
I would say, never "run away" from a problem, like when you see a problem that is too hard and you don't even bother trying to solve it, never do that. Another thing is almost the opposite of the one above, it's to never mentally solve a problem, meaning, don't just look at a problem and be like "oh i know this, you do this and that" sometimes it is a waste of time because you truly know how to solve it, actually most of the time, but sometimes it could be a huge knowledge gap highlight.
@Alberto Robles Gómez which is why i said if you have access to a printer! obviously pdfs are far cheaper and less time consuming than having to print out each page of a textbook. i was only advising to do so if having a device out is too distracting during one's study. it was merely a suggestion-- i know there are more complex technicalities that would render it impractical for reasons like you mentioned
I think as long as you don’t do the third one, you’re golden. Back in high school I was able to learn A LOT of material over a small period of time in the summer through the internet and with music on, and sometimes the internet is even unavoidable if you’re studying something on a pdf, such as some topology books. But having a game plan (for the material that you want to learn, at least) is absolutely essential. The other two you should apply based on how focused you are. You should definitely not be working in silence if it will distract you, and I would recommend lofi if silence isn’t your thing. Good luck!!
I guess its for everyone. When I am studying math, especially calculus or lie algebra: I literally don't hear anything outside of my head, everything like goes away and I am like just in the moment with the swiggly lines on my paper and plasma like stuff I imagine for visualizing integrations. My sister has to come and shout at me to get me to eat food.
Also for me, I find it very helpful to have the computer on to browse for video lectures like your channel, or computer visual aids to help me visualize what the math is doing, GeoGebra and Desmos are some of the tools I use for this and this has saved me hours of reading and trying to understand and I don't have to be asking my math professor, he is busy as it is, and he would never be able to explain better than a computer can show you, and this is when you have to practice discipline not to look at that funny video or the hot person dancing
Sometimes going in without a plan can be great! It can open us up to so many serendipitous discoveries! But I definitely get how it's also a double-edged sword where we might get nothing done! 😅
Great advice. I might add that if you are studying alone you might at times go to a library or section of your college that you have never been to before so as not to be distracted by meeting an acquaintance or a friend as sometimes a student might end up engaging in a lot chat with a friend thus taking away time from studying.
"Von Neumann did some of his best work in noisy, chaotic environments, and once admonished his wife for preparing a quiet study for him to work in. He never used it, preferring the couple's living room with its television playing loudly." I could never understand this..Pro Tip you can also disconnect from the internet by just powering off your router
I can very much relate to the third point. I started my college a few months ago and in my 1st semester I have differential calculus. There are so many books on this topic and each book explains the same topic or concept in different ways following different approaches. In the beginning I was very confused as to how to start a new topic. I couldn't just decide which book to pick-up (besides the lecture notes). Then I just decided which topic I had to study and read it from whichever books I had. Reading the same topic from different books gives a more complete picture. So, when starting a new topic one must definitely have a gameplan of how to go about it.
i definately agree with you on on turning off desktop,but in these where times where a lot of stuff has moved online its difficult to do that. I have seen myself getting distracted and searching on web and finally finding myself at youtube 15 mins later.
People should definitely do engaged reading. What i do that is super helpful is I buy used, slightly older editions because they're cheaper; and i underline key concepts and write in the margins. If a problem or new section references an equation or theorem from previous sections, I'll flip back and re-write them in the new section where it was referenced. I know writing in books is kin to blasphemy for some people but it really stepped up my game and put me in the top of the class. It also allowed me to ditch the notes and having to do a bunch of writing which was huuugggeee time saver. And then I'll do several extra problems that I add at the end of my homework assignments (the correct chapters/sections). Another helpful trick is work with other students.
Hi, if you live in a noisy street like me I recommend using noise-cancelling headphones without music. In the hot months, I use the ones that go inside the ear. Cheers!
I major in statistics but I am a huge fan of analysis, particularly classical Fourier analysis. I felt this is very useful. To be honest, if you allow me to put it dramatically, analysis let me have a "higher dimension" weapon, compared with my colleagues who only learn statistics. But what I would never do when I study math, particularly analysis course, is just reading without keeping writing notes and reflection. Having a diligent notes habit is essentially important and powerful for you to promote your familiarity and sensitivity of mathematics.
I totally agree on number 1, from personal experience. I read a very recent study on this, the conclusion was no music, especially no music with words (song). Total silence is the best. And, as I said, exactly my own experience. Number 2 has always been my strong opinion. Number 3 is probably usually a good idea.
Preparing for one of the toughest exam(JEE) in the world and because of low confidence in Math, I felt demotivated. Saw your videos and applied it in my study routine and I am feeling very confident in Math now 😊😊 Thank you sir. Love from India ❤💖
Game plans are tough, but extremely important! In my opinion, a critical component revolves around time management. You need to prioritize what you have to learn for a course or courses, and how much time you have. Your game plan should be such that you are optimizing your time and getting the crucial work done that you need for your classes/exams. Then, find a quiet, distraction-free environment to utterly focus and be as quick and efficient as possible. Time is a very valuable and scarce resource. Use it wisely!
I wish that my city had a library where I could study in peace. The street where I live it's very noisy and annoying, and the structure of my house doesn't help either 😧. But i'm trying my best anyways.
Listen to your inner voice. If it says something like "Five more minutes and I can quit", you are making time but you are not learning. If you say "I've finished the unit but I'm 15 minutes over", it probable means you are actually learning. Know the difference between actually reading and staring at a page thinking you are reading. Take your Time, but Use your Time.
I can't study math without listen music, because the music makes me feel less alone and it helps me to get away the depressive thoughts. It's just my case he he. By the way, I can perform perfectly well studying mathematics and listening to music at the same time, I am currently half way through my bachelor's degree in mathematics. Regards
I listen to very quite Lofi when I’m studying and noting down information I’m learning for the first time, but when I do practice problems later, I’m literally blasting rap and hip hop😂 I don’t know why but it helps me and makes math fun.🤷♂️
I returned to college after about a decade after high school majoring in Physics and I for one cannot read my textbook on my screen. Too distracting. I even bought a Kindle Fire tablet thinking it would help with the distraction but it didn’t help. I ended up buying a hard copy of my book. Much better focus and retention of material.
From reading and doing exercises in a great book called Mathematical Thinking (1982, Mason, Burton, Stacey) it finally sunk in: the goal is not getting all the problems right, but learning HOW to get problems right.
Silence and the distinct sound of a Dixon Ticonderoga (which you recommended at some point, thanks!) scratching on the paper's surface helped me to focus so much better! When I have a class involving lots of coding for e.g. numerical analysis, I use an old laptop without internet connection connected to an IBM Model M keyboard (much less distracting despite the loud keystrokes), this has become sort of a meditative environment for me which really helps me to find that "ultrafocus" zone. 😀
One big thing: make in your daily schedule a certain time for studying in library. There is silence, there are books on paper (!), there are desks for you, you can easily leave your computer/phone/whatever outside and no one will interrupt you - or if somebody dare to interrupt, you can always say you're busy. Seriously - library is the best and most important thing in your math-life.
It's wonderful to hear your advice. I've never been able to do math or science with music on either. And now computers are a big distraction as you say. Your suggestion about a specific plan is excellent. Thank you for your thoughts.
My nr. 1 tip: Do not think of something as hard before even trying it. Pop-culture loves to go on about how hard math is, and how it's cool to be terrible at math. Do not fall for it. You might find yourself thinking "wow, I am going into my third math class at university level, this is going to start being super hard". Try instead to isolate what you're working on from such thoughts, and focus on what's in front of you. Take the concepts for what they are, nothing more, nothing less, and just try your best.
Thank you for existing and trying to help others I’ll remember your face forever I hope life is great for you brother I love you and wish to bump into you someday ❤️
2:10 I like doing math in bedf in the dark. With my 12.9" ipad. I turn it landscape and set the math textbook to scroll. I use my apple 2nd gen pencil to workout the problems writing directy in the mathbook (annotations). If I don't have enough room I pop up the notepad from teh bottom right corner and write in it. I check my answers with my other ipad (smaller old 9;7") where I have the page turned to the answer key :)
My math journey began. 2024 late march.... Algebra is my first big step along with building strong foundations with the areas I lack which is multiplication ✖️ division ➗️ and subtraction ➖️....
I’m a math major and I probably just failed all of my classes. But I have no intention to change my major because of this. I wasn’t motivated and didn’t have the right habits-I’ll do better next time. Mathematics is my passion and I’ll be good at it once I put in real application. If I can keep my nerves after such an utter failure (similar thing happened last semester... covid, why...) then you can to! You’ve got this.
I can relate to the third thin because itt becomes really difficult to choose the book I have to read as I have many of them infront of me. It wastes time. Having a game plan before actual study is really helpful.
Those are some great pieces of advice. I'm currently studying Set Theory and methods of Proof from a book titled "Book of Proof" and I have found it tremendously helpful for me to just print one section of the book at a time (say section of relations or functions) and just focus on that section by doing every single problem. Plus I can easily take the printed section with me anywhere I go, pen in my pocket, and do math anywhere till the section is complete. Then I print a new section and focus on the new material.
I agree with all of them basically. Unfortunately it is not easy to have all of them in a pristine and clean version, since it is almost impossible to find a quiet place which is far away from the PC and telephone/cellphone. For the action plan, be prepared to have a clock or timer that keeps the right/available time visible, excluding the before mentioned devices. It is important to be productive and have the most out of the available time. Just spending your spare time reading alone will not get you further. You have to set yourself goals, like lessons, chapters, themes, exercises, and so on and work on them trying to remember things with notes, sketches. Pomodoro is an option if you are severely adicted to internet, by the way but as long as you set frontiers and boundaries. it might work for you. No way to get around the digital era. We need to learn how to cope with it. Cheers!
My suggestion while doing maths is... everyone should not sit on benches. we should all sit on floor while doing maths ,this position keeps our mind calm , which is scientifically proven .
All of these points were so true. The noisy place is something you can't control sometimes but the other 2 specially shutting off the computer and putting phone away is important if you want to study. Computer and phone is a total disadvantage compared to the past. Imagine, if the internet and smartphone didn't exist. The world would be full of rational thinkers, and disciplined passionate people.
Do not get stopped. If you do not understand the part where you are, go to the next one and continue. Sometimes, later, you get the comprehension of the previos topic. It is faster and less worrying. Either you understand directly, or you get more ready to understand the previose. The curriculum is not always serialized in the way which you would need. We are all different, having various schools passed, our thinking is prestructured differently.
These are all great pieces of advice--especially disconnecting from the computer. After a long time failing to learn math to the level I wanted, one thing that helped me get better was never stop revisiting and reworking through the fundamentals. I thought I knew high school math "well enough" to study analysis, differential geometry, etc., but modern American books are awful and have almost no worthy content. I needed to get better, older books and really commit to learning from those. You'll be very surprised at how much better you get, even though you might feel embarrassed. Some Recs: Chrystal's Algebra, Hall and Knight's Higher Algebra, Loney's Trig, Courant's Calculus, Hamming's methods of mathematics. Many more, but these are all good.
I'm a proud self-learner. And I have several top-end calculators, although I might never have to use them for an exam. They just help me avoid using a computer, a smartphone and a tablet when I'm studying. Even switching from using a tablet for eBooks to buying used math books was a great idea, because I cannot easily close the book and start mindlessly surfing Facebook and I don't get intrusive push notifications as well.
The Pomodoro technique helps me a lot. Once I press the timer button my brain shutts off to the exterior world and focus. I have big problems concentrating but I tamed my brain with this technique.
My study habits regarding math and other subjects are similar to what's in this video. Sometimes, however, it is useful to have a laptop to plot the functions you read about.
Sir you are my mentor . I am currently preparing for iit jee exams in india (considered the toughest exam in the world in terms of selection ratio) and sir your helpful suggestions whether it's general advise and also your maths content are very helpful !!
I trust you all 3things you recommended! I do agree with you all your points. Many thanks this for good advice and sharing your experience for us. Love the way you are ❤️
Music makes me think in rhythm, so that i dont rush things and make silly mistakes, but rather go through them at a steady pace. Sometimes during exams i remember the song i listened to while solving certain problems, so it helps me recollect the practice that i had 😅. But we all have different brains
The game plan idea is a good one. About a quiet place, there are times when it's not possible. Maybe we have kids, or our coworkers are noisy, for instance. The best solution that I have found so far is to buy noise-canceling headphones (we can still watch over our kids, but noise is diminished).
Thanks very much for your comments on working with devices nearby, I struggle greatly with that in general, since I complete my work on a desktop. I will look into trying to enforce a further separation, perhaps having two different users would be beneficial.
"Never fear failure; it's a part of the process of getting better."
👍
Yes but not with a consequence of getting behind one year in your study at college.
Could you make a video about Spectral Graph Theory. I believe is the unified theory of mathematics and the future of it
@@ahmedabbas3998 Of course, I mean work at a mathematical concept or technique until you get it, not to slack or have a disregard of poor performance.
@@EfraM83 Myself? Or the math sorcerer? If you want to communicate with the sorcere better to reach out to him via email or directly reply to one of his comments.
My advice will be "Don't be afraid or panic if it takes time. Just concentrate on the moment, on what you are doing. Overtime you will finish and be good at it."
Yeah , universities say hi
😊
This is actually very good advice. Thank You!
Awesome advice!!!!!!!
@@TheMathSorcerer , Fucking awesome advice dude. Does distraction include listening advice on how not to be distracted? If it is I am done. You are right man. I am constantly on the internet, so much my provider clocking me on the possibility of experiencing slow internet speed. Who cares, fuck them, whomever they may be.
The Math Sorcerer: "You need a distraction free environment"
Me: *getting distracted reading all the book titles in the background*
Lol
I feel you
Me
@@TheMathSorcerer this video is super duper good. Ty for it
That is so true!
All three of pieces of advice work extremely well with the Pomodoro technique. You just turn everything off, declare what you want to work on and then work on it without breaking focus for 25 minutes. Take a break for 5 minutes. Do this three more times and then you can look at your phone or eat lunch. I picked this up in grad school and it probably saved my academic career!
I will try it. Thanks.
I prefer "animedoro". It gives me more time for focusing and the breaks little longer helps me better to rest before work again.
I prefer daydreaming while relaxing
1. 0:50 - Studying in a noisy environment
2. 2:00 - Having your computer on
3. 4:15 - Studying without a game plan
🤨 just opposite
@@tihsrahs__era5248 what do you mean lady ??
@@monodriver001 means explicitly not doing those things, which is not implied in the isolated time stamps. Just a nitpick from that user.
Thanks a lot buddy
thanks for summing it up
I personally would add: never study on an empty stomach. Processing complex questions almost becomes impossible if you lack the energy to do them.
Also never study without enough sleep! It's as good as not studying at all.
Totally agree. Eating healthy supports brain health, being hungry is bad for the brain.
Always study with an empty stomach. Lacking energy is different and hving an empty stomach is different 😒. When u eat food then your body spends energy on the digestive process hence making u feel sleepy.
If someone's feeling really hungry then he can eat some healthy foods like fruits or salads
For real man, I simply can't study if I'm hungry, like my brain refusing to work lol
My advice from different perspective of learning process:
As a person who knows one guy who read plenty of books about programming, and didn't write a single line of code... My main advice: make all exercises! Try to not skip any of those. (skip only if they hard for you) Second advice: don't rush to see the answers. (give it a time to try to solve it yourself) Third advice: don't overuse spatial thinking.(details below)
Third advice is tricky, so I'll describe it in details. I see everywhere today trend to describe solution/proof by some visual representation, most often by some graphics, spatial diagrams like number line with arrows on it etc. It can be helpful to understand if you can't get other explanations, if you for some reason unable to understand solution at this point in time in learning process. But, in my opinion, often those solutions came from other approach, then they were visualized (as some kind of conversion) into graphical representation, which actually misleading way of thinking (way to approach the problem). What are those other ways of thinking? Well... those include analytical, logic, algebraic thinking. If you overuse spatial thinking/reasoning, you'll end up unable to solve/prove/understand many things that is not much understandable graphically, which is big part of abstract mathematics.
@@todaytodaywithdavy maybe I was too harsh to pick word thinking... It's more about approach. By analytic approach I mean proofs/solutions going from calculus. Sometimes it's just calculus, when it's easy to rephrase and solve by it. Or it may happen when something very surprisingly proved by calculus. By algebraic approach I mean when you juggle formulas. Main thing here is to know for sure that your juggling correct. For example formula for pythagorean tripples can be derived by algebra. More easier example is sum of 1 to N. You first say 1+2+3+...+N = S and N+(N-1)+...+2+1=S, then using algebra you say that you can add both equations, and get (1+N)+(2+(N-1))+(3+(N-2))+...(2+N-1)+(N+1)=S+S. And then open braces to get N*(N+1) = 2*S, then simply divide by 2 both sides: S = N*(N+1)/2. There is geometric approach to this sum, but it's basically same thing without algebra. Oh, I think there is better example. Formula: (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab +b^2 can be easily derived by opening braces, but there is way to struggle with rectangles. There is video on youtube about (a+b)^3 where they cut 3D cube. In the end, logic approach is when you prove some properties one by another and stack them together to get the result. Some of properties may be derived by algebra, some by calculus, some by geometry or other stuff. Some by logic rules like contraposition.
@@todaytodaywithdavy I want to give two examples, but text turned up too long, so I'll leave only one example :(. First is classic "heavier coin". Suppose you're given N coins and every coin except one is exactly same. The one which isn't - you know it's heavier. By they look completely same. You have equal-shoulder scales which allows you to compare any group of coins by its weights. How many comparisons you need to find out heavier coin in any case if you pick groups optimally? In other words, for any strategy to find out heavier coin in any situation (for fixed N), how much steps does optimal strategy in worst case?
And to solve it, there is following observation: for any strategy, you can list all of its actions for each of possible situations. There is N possible situations: coin 1 is heavier, coin 2 is heavier and so on up to N. Can you name this approach? I don't have an answer. Alright, keep going. So, for any given strategy that can find heavier coin, there is list of N lists of steps for those cases. But their meaning that those steps are required, means that there is no case with heavier coin C, and its list of actions is just shorter than some list for coin D. Otherwise when we finish list of actions for D we have two options: heavier coin is C or D, because to find out they have same steps we did, but for some reason coin C additional steps required. So this is impossible for optimal strategy. Also, lists of strategy require to have same first weighing. Then, for cases with same outcome, their lists should have same second weighing. So, because we have only 3 outcomes: first group is heavier, second group is heavier, both groups are same. This means second weighting of lists may be up to three kinds of comparisons: one which is what we do if first outcome is first group heavier, second is what we do if second group is heavier, and third one (weighting) we do if both are same. But for first two outcomes which is same, there is also three possible actions (weightings) to do, but we know there is up to 3 different first + second actions. And for each of them therefore up to 3*3 = 9 different outcomes first+second+third actions. Similarly we can derive that for K steps there is up to 3^k different outcomes. But we know that for N coins there has to be N different lists of actions, so 3^k >= N, thus k >= log(N) where log(N) by base 3. When log(N) is whole number, steps required is at least log(N) - we prove it. And when log(N) isn't whole number, number of steps required is at least log(N) round up. In fact there is strategy that does exactly this number of steps (weightings), and all above is actually proof that it's optimal.
Good luck with spatial thinking if you have functions with complex numbers. 😅
Hard to turn off my computer when my books are in pdf 🤣
haha yes, that is one reason I like physical books! I get so distracted by the computer LOL
@@TheMathSorcerer thats an advice ill definitely take, thankss
since i get easily distracted by my device and the internet, what i like to do is print out the pages i plan to study for the day and just annotate and work on the book offline. if you have access to a printer i highly recommend!!
@@TheMathSorcerer i have a visual disability so I love to use digital textbooks. I can zoom in on the text if it is too small. That is not a thing that works for paper books and magnifying glasses don't work because they either blur everything for me or give me a headache. College is really tough.
I have an app that blocks social media and internet for a set amount of time. probably saved me a few times.
I'd say the most useful tip in mathematics is to never give up on yourself or the concept at hand, always continue to think about things, those concepts will make sense given enough time and effort.
Totally agree!
#1 is literally impossible if you have a family. One has tolearn to be able to focus in spite of all kinds of distractions and noises in the environment.
Oh I know!!
Especially if you have little siblings 😭
I had the same problem, and when quarantine hit hard I was using foam earplugs + construction earmuffs to concentrate.
Now I just go to the library to study.
The only solution for me is library
Yeah, my house is by a really busy road. It's cars honking 24 7.Never silence.
It sucks because everything is online, it's so easy to get distracted.
Gonna have to trust modern Isaac Newton on his tips cause I desperately need to avoid procrastination
I am not an emotional person, but math is the only thing that makes me tear up, its so frustrating 😓
Ya its absolutely right
You will inevitably find that, if you do come to terms with math and understand it with ease and spontaneity, that, you will be one of the most emotionally sound and reserved people that you know.
Math is a game, is an adventure, maybe it doesn't make sense for you in the first time because it takes time and experience to make sense of some things. Just try to play the mathematics game keeping the rules. But first try to focus in grasping the meaning of those rules, after that you can by yourself advance in the mathematics adventure. Cheers!
Same bro
I think it's important for all students to review first order logic. I always tell students in undergrad if they can read math their life will be easier. Many of the syntax or language in theorems/proofs incorporates this logic. Instead of glazing over words and symbols, students can start to gain an understanding of the beauty in theorems such as the fundamental theorem of calculus. First order logic spans other fields as well such as computer science and philosophy.
It's silly, but I would add: Don't study drowsy.
Yeh. Its like driving while intoxicated. You wont remember it the next morning.
Also, don't drink and derive! 😊
Agreed! I always opt for sleeping and waking up early to study for an hour or so before work instead of studying all half asleep
I totally agree and definitely my brain works this way too. I’ve only been in college 3 semesters and I distinctly remember my most productive and interesting study period was in my first semester when I had 2 hours before my next class, I sat in a cubicle in the silent library, had my math textbook printed out and annotated the reading as I read for 2 hours. I left my electronics in my backpack, and I was able to just for two hours about determinants in linear algebra, read and carefully annotate 20 pages of reading, trying to on my own make sense of what I was reading. Afterwards, i was able to understand everything I read, as well as analyze it enough that I could answer my own questions that I had while I was reading. This was pre-COVID, and now, my time and energy level has decreased significantly, I’m taking classes with wayyyyy more workload than I had back then, and I rarely have time to just sit and read the textbook as I’m such a slow reader, but it does give me hope that my struggling now isn’t because I can’t do it, just that I need to make more time to work on math.
Man it feels like I've known this stuff in the back of my head for years, but I could never properly implement them properly for my study time. I hope that eventually that I can be extremely hyper focused with studying; that I can live in an environment and be in a position where I can read from a ton of math books without looking for a PDF in a computer, with no noise, no need for music or distraction, just the pure immersion and love of studying math.
You could also just turn the Wi-Fi off. Though, sometimes you need that for certain programs...
having to buy all my textbooks online so i have access to the homework is really frustrating. i know i work best with a physical textbook, the online text can be slow and take forever to load, relys on a working wifi/computer, and is hard to read off of
Turning computer off. Yeah, i think it's absolutely right. I used to use my laptop when studying (i use pdf which is in laptop), it distracts me a lot not only by notification came up, but also I more likely to feel exhausted. Now i use paperbook instead, and i get more focus.
I understand your recommendations and I agree. Unfortunately, my entire year has been online and my calculator even died so I installed a graphing calculator app. My entire workload has been online. Books, modules, tests, videos, lectures, and PowerPoints. I would have loved to have a distraction and technology free zone. I still managed to get a 4.0 in both statistics and business calculus. It was hard and frustrating. I had a challenging time with the quiz and test modules specifically because there were error messages constantly and my answers were generated incorrectly although they were correct. I'd have to start over again and figure out why the program deemed my answer incorrect and it was typically a computer error unrelated to the math question. I'd recommend an appropriate amount of time. I gave myself five hours at a time. One hour is a joke for me. Honestly, I'd never learn any new math in less than two hours. It's important to learn how to process math efficiently and figure out how you can creatively integrate it into your understanding of life. I think this takes a lot of time to do well. Thanks for the video.
Great points. I actually read mainly PDF books now and so the second option is out of it. Definitely agree with quiet and also the best time when my brain is hot and that's first thing in the morning. The last point is also great and I have been working on that on my own for a while now. Always plan before you start and do not deviate. For the second I am working on my self discipline: do not check emails and social media until a particular time and afterwards back to work. Keep it up
Close family members with a strong math background did one thing when they were young: worked on math AT LEAST 3 hours per day. One hour at school. One hour of math homework and one hour of math tutoring. Not because they were 'behind' but because they wanted to excel and get jobs which require strong mathematics, ie electrical engineers
never study in a loud environment
me, living on one of the loudest streets in my city: 😅
For real man, it's quite annoying 😂
haha
Use white noise and earplugs to drowned out most of the noise.
@@Shakespeare1612 Yes, but white noise only works well in low volume, otherwise it would be distracting as well.
Oh wow my university office is so noisy. So this is a great excuse to study at home 😅
Haha. I can't get my math books because I turned my computer off.
Same :'(
Have you had a look at the Sony Digital paper devices in A4 format, Onyx boox reader, or the Remarkable? They all come with an e-ink display and are way less distracting than a computer or iPad while offering a gread reading/note taking experience (still not same as paper, but the best you can emulate with an electronic device). Unfortunately still expensive...
Lmao
@@Martin-mt4bo No thanks. It easier to just not get distracted.
@@CreepyNoodles69 it's not easier but cheaper lol
I absolutely agree with the advice in this video. My own advice as a grad student, is also to have a daily schedule, or like specific time when you _usually_ work, and hopefully it will be a time when you are productive. For me, I do my most intense studying in the morning right after breakfast/coffee. If I can get to work by 9 am or earlier, I will be super productive. If I sit down right away at 9 am, get to work immediately, and don't take breaks for internet nonsense, then by 12 noon I can accomplish the same amount of work that would otherwise take me a whole day.
Another thing, is just go to whatever topic is calling you or drawing your attention at the time. Be spontaneous. Sometimes I feel the need to focus in on one topic and I will spend a few weeks really mastering one concept, and I wont look at anything else, but that can be counterproductive when taken to the extreme. For instance, right now I'm studying Ramsey theory, and I might really devote myself to that, but if I start getting bored or I'm struggling, and I keep thinking about some other cool thing like Lie Groups or Permutation matrices or something, then I find that it's often more productive to follow my curiosity, so to speak, and put down the Ramsey Theory for awhile so I can take a look Lie Groups, Permutation matrices, etc. Diligence and hard-work are great tools to have in your scholarly arsenal, but nothing tops curiosity. When you're curious and excited, learning can occur at an astonishing rate.
I would say, never "run away" from a problem, like when you see a problem that is too hard and you don't even bother trying to solve it, never do that.
Another thing is almost the opposite of the one above, it's to never mentally solve a problem, meaning, don't just look at a problem and be like "oh i know this, you do this and that" sometimes it is a waste of time because you truly know how to solve it, actually most of the time, but sometimes it could be a huge knowledge gap highlight.
Kind of have to use my computer because that’s where my math books are at lol. It’s nice that there are pdf textbooks everywhere on google
Same
Unfortunately the same thing
same
tip: just print out the pages you plan to read/study if you have access to a printer!!
@Alberto Robles Gómez which is why i said if you have access to a printer! obviously pdfs are far cheaper and less time consuming than having to print out each page of a textbook. i was only advising to do so if having a device out is too distracting during one's study. it was merely a suggestion-- i know there are more complex technicalities that would render it impractical for reasons like you mentioned
I think as long as you don’t do the third one, you’re golden. Back in high school I was able to learn A LOT of material over a small period of time in the summer through the internet and with music on, and sometimes the internet is even unavoidable if you’re studying something on a pdf, such as some topology books. But having a game plan (for the material that you want to learn, at least) is absolutely essential. The other two you should apply based on how focused you are. You should definitely not be working in silence if it will distract you, and I would recommend lofi if silence isn’t your thing. Good luck!!
This is great advice, and I think it applies not only to Math, but to every other subject you're trying to study!
I guess its for everyone. When I am studying math, especially calculus or lie algebra: I literally don't hear anything outside of my head, everything like goes away and I am like just in the moment with the swiggly lines on my paper and plasma like stuff I imagine for visualizing integrations. My sister has to come and shout at me to get me to eat food.
As a statistics student in progress, many good ideas of your video does inspire me a lot about how to learn math.
Definitely like and subscribe!!!
Really good first point. It's the sort of thing I take for granted, but my students would massively benefit from hearing this.
I appreciate your game plan advice. Been struggling with focus and organization so i took it to heart lol
Also for me, I find it very helpful to have the computer on to browse for video lectures like your channel, or computer visual aids to help me visualize what the math is doing, GeoGebra and Desmos are some of the tools I use for this and this has saved me hours of reading and trying to understand and I don't have to be asking my math professor, he is busy as it is, and he would never be able to explain better than a computer can show you, and this is when you have to practice discipline not to look at that funny video or the hot person dancing
My tip would be to observe the nature on your breaks/before studying. Just go to the closest windows and look at the sky, it helps to clear up my mind
Sometimes going in without a plan can be great! It can open us up to so many serendipitous discoveries!
But I definitely get how it's also a double-edged sword where we might get nothing done! 😅
Great advice. I might add that if you are studying alone you might at times go to a library or section of your college that you have never been to before so as not to be distracted by meeting an acquaintance or a friend as sometimes a student might end up engaging in a lot chat with a friend thus taking away time from studying.
"Von Neumann did some of his best work in noisy, chaotic environments, and once admonished his wife for preparing a quiet study for him to work in. He never used it, preferring the couple's living room with its television playing loudly." I could never understand this..Pro Tip you can also disconnect from the internet by just powering off your router
I can very much relate to the third point. I started my college a few months ago and in my 1st semester I have differential calculus. There are so many books on this topic and each book explains the same topic or concept in different ways following different approaches. In the beginning I was very confused as to how to start a new topic. I couldn't just decide which book to pick-up (besides the lecture notes). Then I just decided which topic I had to study and read it from whichever books I had. Reading the same topic from different books gives a more complete picture. So, when starting a new topic one must definitely have a gameplan of how to go about it.
nailed it on the head, I do these things even when I'm studying other topics.
i definately agree with you on on turning off desktop,but in these where times where a lot of stuff has moved online its difficult to do that.
I have seen myself getting distracted and searching on web and finally finding myself at youtube 15 mins later.
People should definitely do engaged reading. What i do that is super helpful is I buy used, slightly older editions because they're cheaper; and i underline key concepts and write in the margins. If a problem or new section references an equation or theorem from previous sections, I'll flip back and re-write them in the new section where it was referenced.
I know writing in books is kin to blasphemy for some people but it really stepped up my game and put me in the top of the class. It also allowed me to ditch the notes and having to do a bunch of writing which was huuugggeee time saver.
And then I'll do several extra problems that I add at the end of my homework assignments (the correct chapters/sections). Another helpful trick is work with other students.
Thanks for this!! I like the idea on having a game plan. It’s an intuitive idea, but easy to forget!
Hi, if you live in a noisy street like me I recommend using noise-cancelling headphones without music. In the hot months, I use the ones that go inside the ear. Cheers!
This is how I made it through my masters program.
I major in statistics but I am a huge fan of analysis, particularly classical Fourier analysis. I felt this is very useful. To be honest, if you allow me to put it dramatically, analysis let me have a "higher dimension" weapon, compared with my colleagues who only learn statistics. But what I would never do when I study math, particularly analysis course, is just reading without keeping writing notes and reflection. Having a diligent notes habit is essentially important and powerful for you to promote your familiarity and sensitivity of mathematics.
I totally agree on number 1, from personal experience. I read a very recent study on this, the conclusion was no music, especially no music with words (song). Total silence is the best. And, as I said, exactly my own experience. Number 2 has always been my strong opinion. Number 3 is probably usually a good idea.
#4 Don't waste 1h on a single problem. Try it again next day or read more about theory.
Preparing for one of the toughest exam(JEE) in the world and because of low confidence in Math, I felt demotivated. Saw your videos and applied it in my study routine and I am feeling very confident in Math now 😊😊
Thank you sir.
Love from India ❤💖
I sometimes study with soft music in the background. I play it at low volume. In TH-cam, there are music for reading or concentration.
Game plans are tough, but extremely important! In my opinion, a critical component revolves around time management. You need to prioritize what you have to learn for a course or courses, and how much time you have. Your game plan should be such that you are optimizing your time and getting the crucial work done that you need for your classes/exams. Then, find a quiet, distraction-free environment to utterly focus and be as quick and efficient as possible. Time is a very valuable and scarce resource. Use it wisely!
Great tips. About the noise, ear-plugs or white noise works well for me.
1:10 I agree with you, I even wear noise cancellation headphones when there’s people at home while I’m studying.
Awesome and really useful advice. Thanks a lot for this. Extremely helpful.
I wish that my city had a library where I could study in peace. The street where I live it's very noisy and annoying, and the structure of my house doesn't help either 😧. But i'm trying my best anyways.
Listen to your inner voice. If it says something like "Five more minutes and I can quit", you are making time but you are not learning. If you say "I've finished the unit but I'm 15 minutes over", it probable means you are actually learning. Know the difference between actually reading and staring at a page thinking you are reading.
Take your Time, but Use your Time.
I can't study math without listen music, because the music makes me feel less alone and it helps me to get away the depressive thoughts. It's just my case he he.
By the way, I can perform perfectly well studying mathematics and listening to music at the same time, I am currently half way through my bachelor's degree in mathematics. Regards
Mr Math Sorcerer - I ABSOLUTELY AGREE with all that you have said!
this man has "math hair" and it's glorious
LOL thank you:)
It's like one of those men who were so great in everything at the 1800
Like in Hobbit. So handsome
I listen to very quite Lofi when I’m studying and noting down information I’m learning for the first time, but when I do practice problems later, I’m literally blasting rap and hip hop😂 I don’t know why but it helps me and makes math fun.🤷♂️
I returned to college after about a decade after high school majoring in Physics and I for one cannot read my textbook on my screen. Too distracting. I even bought a Kindle Fire tablet thinking it would help with the distraction but it didn’t help. I ended up buying a hard copy of my book. Much better focus and retention of material.
From reading and doing exercises in a great book called Mathematical Thinking (1982, Mason, Burton, Stacey) it finally sunk in: the goal is not getting all the problems right, but learning HOW to get problems right.
Silence and the distinct sound of a Dixon Ticonderoga (which you recommended at some point, thanks!) scratching on the paper's surface helped me to focus so much better! When I have a class involving lots of coding for e.g. numerical analysis, I use an old laptop without internet connection connected to an IBM Model M keyboard (much less distracting despite the loud keystrokes), this has become sort of a meditative environment for me which really helps me to find that "ultrafocus" zone. 😀
One big thing: make in your daily schedule a certain time for studying in library. There is silence, there are books on paper (!), there are desks for you, you can easily leave your computer/phone/whatever outside and no one will interrupt you - or if somebody dare to interrupt, you can always say you're busy.
Seriously - library is the best and most important thing in your math-life.
Yes,I believe in noise free environment and just focusing on maths only. I think one needs game plan at self study.
Take frustration as a sign to focus and master the topic at hand before moving on.
It's wonderful to hear your advice. I've never been able to do math or science with music on either. And now computers are a big distraction as you say. Your suggestion about a specific plan is excellent. Thank you for your thoughts.
My nr. 1 tip: Do not think of something as hard before even trying it. Pop-culture loves to go on about how hard math is, and how it's cool to be terrible at math. Do not fall for it. You might find yourself thinking "wow, I am going into my third math class at university level, this is going to start being super hard". Try instead to isolate what you're working on from such thoughts, and focus on what's in front of you. Take the concepts for what they are, nothing more, nothing less, and just try your best.
Thank you for existing and trying to help others I’ll remember your face forever I hope life is great for you brother I love you and wish to bump into you someday ❤️
Me : What a nice family friendly math channel!
The Math Sorcerer : 2:35
2:10 I like doing math in bedf in the dark. With my 12.9" ipad. I turn it landscape and set the math textbook to scroll. I use my apple 2nd gen pencil to workout the problems writing directy in the mathbook (annotations). If I don't have enough room I pop up the notepad from teh bottom right corner and write in it. I check my answers with my other ipad (smaller old 9;7") where I have the page turned to the answer key :)
My math journey began. 2024 late march.... Algebra is my first big step along with building strong foundations with the areas I lack which is multiplication ✖️ division ➗️ and subtraction ➖️....
I’m a math major and I probably just failed all of my classes. But I have no intention to change my major because of this. I wasn’t motivated and didn’t have the right habits-I’ll do better next time. Mathematics is my passion and I’ll be good at it once I put in real application.
If I can keep my nerves after such an utter failure (similar thing happened last semester... covid, why...) then you can to!
You’ve got this.
The list goes well with pretty much every subject too
Hey man you really don't know how many lives you've impacted without knowing, keep up the good work! 🙏
The points made might seem very simple but this is very mature advice indeed. I can tell this comes from lot of experience with studying math.
👍
I can relate to the third thin because itt becomes really difficult to choose the book I have to read as I have many of them infront of me. It wastes time. Having a game plan before actual study is really helpful.
Great, great advice!
Thank you.
I believe self studying math from books and refrences helped me a lot better than my professors notes and lectures
Those are some great pieces of advice. I'm currently studying Set Theory and methods of Proof from a book titled "Book of Proof" and I have found it tremendously helpful for me to just print one section of the book at a time (say section of relations or functions) and just focus on that section by doing every single problem. Plus I can easily take the printed section with me anywhere I go, pen in my pocket, and do math anywhere till the section is complete. Then I print a new section and focus on the new material.
I agree with all of them basically. Unfortunately it is not easy to have all of them in a pristine and clean version, since it is almost impossible to find a quiet place which is far away from the PC and telephone/cellphone. For the action plan, be prepared to have a clock or timer that keeps the right/available time visible, excluding the before mentioned devices. It is important to be productive and have the most out of the available time. Just spending your spare time reading alone will not get you further. You have to set yourself goals, like lessons, chapters, themes, exercises, and so on and work on them trying to remember things with notes, sketches.
Pomodoro is an option if you are severely adicted to internet, by the way but as long as you set frontiers and boundaries. it might work for you. No way to get around the digital era. We need to learn how to cope with it.
Cheers!
My suggestion while doing maths is... everyone should not sit on benches. we should all sit on floor while doing maths ,this position keeps our mind calm , which is scientifically proven .
Im gonna start doing it in this position to see if it helps me stay calm lol
@@anidleteen 😂😅
All of these points were so true. The noisy place is something you can't control sometimes but the other 2 specially shutting off the computer and putting phone away is important if you want to study. Computer and phone is a total disadvantage compared to the past. Imagine, if the internet and smartphone didn't exist. The world would be full of rational thinkers, and disciplined passionate people.
TMS: You get distracted with the computer on
Me: Getting immediately distracted by a WA message
👍
currently studying math as an overly distracted student, thanks for the advice man
Do not get stopped. If you do not understand the part where you are, go to the next one and continue. Sometimes, later, you get the comprehension of the previos topic. It is faster and less worrying. Either you understand directly, or you get more ready to understand the previose. The curriculum is not always serialized in the way which you would need.
We are all different, having various schools passed, our thinking is prestructured differently.
These are all great pieces of advice--especially disconnecting from the computer. After a long time failing to learn math to the level I wanted, one thing that helped me get better was never stop revisiting and reworking through the fundamentals. I thought I knew high school math "well enough" to study analysis, differential geometry, etc., but modern American books are awful and have almost no worthy content. I needed to get better, older books and really commit to learning from those. You'll be very surprised at how much better you get, even though you might feel embarrassed. Some Recs: Chrystal's Algebra, Hall and Knight's Higher Algebra, Loney's Trig, Courant's Calculus, Hamming's methods of mathematics. Many more, but these are all good.
Woohoo first
Update: GREAT advice.
:)
I suggest to make sure you are in a receptive mood. Also, lead in to new material with skills you are comfortable with. Build slowly.
Very true!
I'm a proud self-learner. And I have several top-end calculators, although I might never have to use them for an exam. They just help me avoid using a computer, a smartphone and a tablet when I'm studying. Even switching from using a tablet for eBooks to buying used math books was a great idea, because I cannot easily close the book and start mindlessly surfing Facebook and I don't get intrusive push notifications as well.
Thank You Sorcerer for your concern! Your advices are very helpful even though i am a programming student. Thanks a lot! 👏👏👏👌🤝🤝
You're most welcome!
The Pomodoro technique helps me a lot. Once I press the timer button my brain shutts off to the exterior world and focus. I have big problems concentrating but I tamed my brain with this technique.
I think this is general advice for any study not only maths. well done a true sorcerer
My study habits regarding math and other subjects are similar to what's in this video. Sometimes, however, it is useful to have a laptop to plot the functions you read about.
yeah for sure!
Sir you are my mentor . I am currently preparing for iit jee exams in india (considered the toughest exam in the world in terms of selection ratio) and sir your helpful suggestions whether it's general advise and also your maths content are very helpful !!
Thank you 🌻
You are so welcome!
Math sorcerer: "Turn off your computer"
Me: *Am a Computer science student*
I trust you all 3things you recommended! I do agree with you all your points. Many thanks this for good advice and sharing your experience for us. Love the way you are ❤️
Thank you❤️
Music makes me think in rhythm, so that i dont rush things and make silly mistakes, but rather go through them at a steady pace. Sometimes during exams i remember the song i listened to while solving certain problems, so it helps me recollect the practice that i had 😅. But we all have different brains
The game plan idea is a good one. About a quiet place, there are times when it's not possible. Maybe we have kids, or our coworkers are noisy, for instance. The best solution that I have found so far is to buy noise-canceling headphones (we can still watch over our kids, but noise is diminished).
Thanks very much for your comments on working with devices nearby, I struggle greatly with that in general, since I complete my work on a desktop. I will look into trying to enforce a further separation, perhaps having two different users would be beneficial.
To me silence is horrible when studying. I need to be listening some music like classical music or some death metal