Calculus is the study of infinitesimals and the study of continuous change. Now and then, students question the difficulty of calculus. To be honest, it’s difficulty level is no different than that of algebra. The only thing that varies is the complexity. The reason for the complexity of calculus is that it requires Algebra, Trigonometry, and Geometry combined. Thus the major requirement for calculus is the conceptual study of these three subjects.
Students tend to be very scared of calculus. Its vastness and complexity are two reasons for that. To help students overcome this fear, we are here with some tips that will help you plan your calculus studies. No one is born a mathematician, but you can be an expert in this subject with efforts in the right direction.
Below are a few points that will help you remove the setbacks you might face with Calculus. This is the compilation of pieces of advice that we have collected from renowned and experienced people. We hope they will prove helpful to you.
1. Give learning enough time.
Calculus is not a one-night subject; it requires practice and time. The most important step to begin the study is to understand the time requirement of this subject. Do not get frustrated if you do not get the answers right in one go. It may take time and repetitions to master. The most important thing to do is to not underestimate yourself. Give yourself enough time to develop a better understanding of this subject. The time taken to learn a concept may vary among all the students. The time consumed depends on your learning agility, your targeted grades, and your competitiveness. Calculus requires a study of at least 2-3 hours on weekdays and 6-7 hours on weekends. So you have to be prepared for this dedication to master this subject of Calculus.
2. Always Attend Class
Every subject and every concept can be learned and mastered by the students on their own if they decide to do it. But in calculus, it is always recommended that you attend all the lectures to get your concepts straight. The classes will enhance your vocabulary of calculus. It also helps you in gaining an expert’s approach to a problem. Discuss the problems among your classmates. Classes provide the platform for the students to come together and discuss the problems to gain insightful perspectives. You can also look for a counselor or tutor whenever you need help if you regularly attend the classes. A teacher helps you with your doubts, makes you enthusiastic about the subject, develops curiosity and interest in the topic, and even helps you have fun and enjoyment during the lectures. It would be beneficial for you to go through the reading material before coming to the class. But do not take it as an excuse to skip the classes. Once you start skipping, you will start lagging and will eventually lose interest in the subject.
3. Study form Textbooks.
Studying mathematical subjects from textbooks may sound strange at first, but you will understand the need for textbooks if you do this. Theory plays a pivotal role in developing the understanding even for the numerical subjects. The theory explains the underlying concepts and answers every what, why, and how of the question. The textbook covers theorems, proofs, examples, formulas, derivations, etc. They all are requisites for attempting the questions. Before practicing the questions of a new concept, understand the language of the textbooks. Maybe you will discover a new technique or uncover a new formula to easily solve the questions. Don’t just read the textbook, rather sit with a notebook and jot down your understanding from the text. This will help you in memorizing the concepts.
4. Revisions and Practice.
No man has achieved perfection in one go. And calculus is not a subject to try perfection on the first attempt. As we have already said that this subject requires time, it also requires practice. No amount of practice is enough and guarantees 100 percent success, but it takes you towards 99 percent success. Go through the concepts every time before you start practicing questions. Revisit the theorems and theories now and then to keep them freshly brewed in your mind. Many times, students face problems while solving questions. Sometimes, they skip the difficult question and move onto the next concept or the next chapter. This leads to unbalanced learning. The courses are designed in a way that gives you the optimal understanding. Hence don’t skip over any part. If you face any problem, consult your peers or professors. Practice a few more questions to get ahead of your doubts. This will make your mind agile, and your pace of understanding will also increase.
Footnote
Calculus requires patience and hard work. It also requires persistence and an enthusiastic mind. Instead of feeling burned out after practice, try to have fun while practicing the questions. You can study in groups, have discussions in classrooms, and keep reading related texts and theories. This will keep you on your toes and will help you learn calculus easily.
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