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How to Study as a Mathematics Major
Every year, thousands of students in the USA declare mathematics as their major. Many are extremely intelligent and hardworking. However, even the best will encounter challenges, because upper-level mathematics involves not only independent study and learning from lectures, but also a fundamental shift from calculation to proof.This shift is demanding but it need not be mysterious — research has revealed many insights into the mathematical thinking required, and this book translates these into practical advice for a student audience. It covers every aspect of studying as a mathematics major, from tackling abstract intellectual challenges to interacting with professors and making good use of study time. Part 1 discusses the nature of upper-level mathematics, and explains how students can adapt and extend theirexisting skills in order to develop good understanding. Part 2 covers study skills as these relate to mathematics, and suggests practical approaches to learning effectively while enjoying undergraduate life.As the first mathematics-specific study guide, this friendly, practical text is essential reading for any mathematics major.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2013
42 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 6, 2016
Good for what it tries to do, which is introduce high schoolers to college math. For a rising junior, most of the first half seemed pedantic.
April 27, 2018
Even though I am a grad student studying for my mathematics masters degree, I still found this book helpful. I read the book keeping the intended audience in mind, which it seems many of the reviewers did not. The intended audience is a senior in high school preparing for their first year as a mathematics major in college or perhaps someone already in a mathematics undergraduate program who is struggling. So yes some of the concepts used as examples were very basic, but I kept thinking, I wonder if I would have even understood this as an undergrad. With all that in mind, I thought this book was great and covered many areas that might be overwhelming to beginning mathematics majors. As a grad student I still took several things away from this book.
1. Even though I may think I’m planning out my week to fit in my studying, I’m not being very realistic. I like the ideas the author had for creating a spreadsheet and filling in all the times you are busy and not able to study. I really need to think about my study habits more.
2. When I first started back going to school, I would get extremely frustrated when an answer to a problem or proof to a theorem did not come to me right away. This is mainly because I never gave myself enough time to work on the assignments so I was trying to get it done in a short amount of time. After reading this book I realized I need to give myself more time and I need to allow myself time to think about the problems, step away from them for a short time if I have to and try again.
3. I liked the method provided for studying when you are behind. I actually used this to help me prepare for an exam and it helped.
4. I started rewriting my lecture notes and it has helped me tremendously with doing my homework and studying. I didn’t think to do that before reading this book. Now I just have to make sure I have time to do it.
5. I am someone who appreciates being reminded of things because I often forget about them. So I appreciated reading the sections on the different areas of a college that are there to help students, like learning centers or about ways to effectively ask your professors questions.
6. I thought it was great that there were summaries of each chapter. This way if I want to review a part of the book I can skip right to the summary to make sure I’m reading the right section.
7. I liked seeing so many good resources for further reading at the end of each chapter and definitely have a few in mind to read sometime soon hopefully.
In conclusion, just because I’m a grad student doesn’t make me any different than other students when it comes to studying, doing homework, etc. I still have a lot I can do to improve and this book and the ideas provided will hopefully help me get there.
Thank you!
1. Even though I may think I’m planning out my week to fit in my studying, I’m not being very realistic. I like the ideas the author had for creating a spreadsheet and filling in all the times you are busy and not able to study. I really need to think about my study habits more.
2. When I first started back going to school, I would get extremely frustrated when an answer to a problem or proof to a theorem did not come to me right away. This is mainly because I never gave myself enough time to work on the assignments so I was trying to get it done in a short amount of time. After reading this book I realized I need to give myself more time and I need to allow myself time to think about the problems, step away from them for a short time if I have to and try again.
3. I liked the method provided for studying when you are behind. I actually used this to help me prepare for an exam and it helped.
4. I started rewriting my lecture notes and it has helped me tremendously with doing my homework and studying. I didn’t think to do that before reading this book. Now I just have to make sure I have time to do it.
5. I am someone who appreciates being reminded of things because I often forget about them. So I appreciated reading the sections on the different areas of a college that are there to help students, like learning centers or about ways to effectively ask your professors questions.
6. I thought it was great that there were summaries of each chapter. This way if I want to review a part of the book I can skip right to the summary to make sure I’m reading the right section.
7. I liked seeing so many good resources for further reading at the end of each chapter and definitely have a few in mind to read sometime soon hopefully.
In conclusion, just because I’m a grad student doesn’t make me any different than other students when it comes to studying, doing homework, etc. I still have a lot I can do to improve and this book and the ideas provided will hopefully help me get there.
Thank you!
November 24, 2016
A must for all mathematics major students. This book will guide you through all difficulties you shall face in your college years. I have never found a book so valuable and rewarding as this one. Simply outstanding.
November 26, 2017
This book is a really good introduction to what to expect when starting college or university mathematics. Specifically, for the person wanting to major in mathematics.
It's especially useful for the recent high school grad who has yet to experience college life. If, you have already been through college this might not be the book for you.
I like that the book is divided into what to expect from the math you will be learning and how to approach it; how to study math and what do college professors do. I think it provides good guidelines for young people about balancing studies and work life, which many have trouble when starting university at 17 or 18 years of age.
It's especially useful for the recent high school grad who has yet to experience college life. If, you have already been through college this might not be the book for you.
I like that the book is divided into what to expect from the math you will be learning and how to approach it; how to study math and what do college professors do. I think it provides good guidelines for young people about balancing studies and work life, which many have trouble when starting university at 17 or 18 years of age.
January 13, 2025
Yazarın, bir öğrencinin üniversitede takip etmesi gereken yöntemler üzerine verdiği tavsiyeler bence oldukça değerli. İlk defa üniversite okuyacak birisinin anlamakta zorlanacağı küçük farklılıkları, hiçbir öğretmenin yapmayacağı detayla açıklaması bence çok güzel ve düşünceli yol gösterici reheber. Bu sadece matematik alanında değil diğer bölümlere de uygulanabilecek bir mtodlar listesi. Kitabın üslubunu beğendiğim için bir introduction metni olarak kendi kendime yaptığım matematik çalışmaları öncesinde diğer kitaplarına da göz atmayı uygun buldum ve okuyorum.
April 28, 2020
Good book
It's a good, friendly book for anyone who wants to do major in mathematics. Although I was not the intended audience of this book I still read it because I am not proud the way I did my undergrad and since then I am looking for a way to amend that. This book surely helped me to understand my mistakes and completely unrealistic expectations that I had from myself. I am hopeful my postgrad is going to be much more pleasant now.
It's a good, friendly book for anyone who wants to do major in mathematics. Although I was not the intended audience of this book I still read it because I am not proud the way I did my undergrad and since then I am looking for a way to amend that. This book surely helped me to understand my mistakes and completely unrealistic expectations that I had from myself. I am hopeful my postgrad is going to be much more pleasant now.
September 6, 2021
As a 3rd year mathematics major, I have to say that this book deals predominantly in the usual tropes—I.e Ask for help! Do your homework! Etc.
In other words, it is probably good for a prospective math major coming out of high school but not for an *actual* math major. In this sense, it is reminiscent of the author’s book on Analysis which basically amounts to a conversational account of epsilons and deltas—but very little *actual* analysis.
In other words, it is probably good for a prospective math major coming out of high school but not for an *actual* math major. In this sense, it is reminiscent of the author’s book on Analysis which basically amounts to a conversational account of epsilons and deltas—but very little *actual* analysis.
January 14, 2019
Good for grade schoolers entering college
January 15, 2016
This book explains the shift in thinking necessary for success in College level math and above. In this book you can find helpful tips on study skills, time management, symbols that will be used, methods of proof and other such things.
For instance, if you are used to high school level math, you might be expecting to be led by the hand, which is something that college professors just don't have the time to do. They assume that you are familiar with such things or that you can just read the material.
I thought this book was pretty good, and it really would have helped me back in college.
For instance, if you are used to high school level math, you might be expecting to be led by the hand, which is something that college professors just don't have the time to do. They assume that you are familiar with such things or that you can just read the material.
I thought this book was pretty good, and it really would have helped me back in college.
September 4, 2015
I read this about 12 years after completing an undergraduate degree in computer science looking for useful advice geared towards self study of additional mathematics. The book has good advice if you are very new to mathematics and studying in a college setting. For my situation, it didn't provide many new insights. I'd advise saving time by just reading the end of chapter summary and then backtracking if needed as the book is very verbose.
August 30, 2016
If I had this book when I started
This is a great book for someone just starting their university studies. The way the book is written gives you the feeling that a good friend is giving you some valuable advice. Highly recommended.
This is a great book for someone just starting their university studies. The way the book is written gives you the feeling that a good friend is giving you some valuable advice. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews