Question

Learning more efficiently

Answer 1

This is normal; you need to learn math by doing math, not by watching people do math.

One thing I will say is that copying slides might not always be the most efficient way to learn, although it depends highly on the individual and on the material. If you’re thinking about what you’re writing down as you’re writing it down (i.e. solving a problem alongside your prof instead of copying their solution) then that’s great, if instead you’re copying things word for word as it appears on your screen, it might be good to find ways to more actively engage with the material.

Answer 2

in university the ratio of in class learning to out of class learning is supposed to be about 1:2 or 1:3 so for twenty minutes of lecture you should take about an hour to an hour and a half  to really understand it.

Answer 3

In my experience its often better to not try to take in-depth notes and only write down concepts or ideas I find particularly illuminating or hard to grasp.

Other than that I've memorized more from doing practice problems with extra time than taking more notes.

Answer 4

Note taking is a skill that requires practice. It *is* possible to take complete notes in real time while someone is giving a lecture without missing anything. But it's not something that I was able to do at first either. Actually it's a pretty uncommon skill these days.  

Some tips and tricks:

1. Don't write down a transcript of what the lecturer says--paraphrase it in real time. Develop abbreviations to help speed it up.

2. Get in the habit of writing mostly without looking at the page. You will probably need to check in with yourself frequently to make sure you're writing in the right place. But you don't need to stare at your hand while writing.
3. You'll want to learn what things are "real content" and what is just your professor adding context. It takes time to get good at recognizing this. But when they're saying something that isn't centrally important (and isn't clearing up confusion that *you* have) you can tune it out a bit to catch up on writing or drawing.

Answer 5

Sounds like you are studying the right way. Keep it up and good luck :D

Answer 6

sounds pretty efficient.

Answer 7

Pause at the beginning of the slide. If you see an actual fact (theorem/formula/etc) write that on the separate sheet you have for those. Separate sheet as well for tips/tricks.

If it's an example, see if you can work it. Note that the above point is more important. You can get cal I *purely* from formulas. If you make sure to understand the notation and follow instructions, and know algebra, you should barely have to think. You still need practice and checks, but if you're learning purely through examples, then you are not doing math. Working through examples might *feel* inefficient, but if it's working, then it'll make homework go faster.

There generally isn't other type of content on a slide. Also, in my whole life up through years of grad school, I've had three teachers that ever said something that wasn't directly in the slides or book, and even then it was occasional. I use a browser add-on and play lectures at 4.5x speed and go back in the rare occasion I hear something interesting. Sitting and watching examples happen isn't really any different from just reading the work once it's already done.

That said, calculus is the same everywhere and everywhen. I would just grab a book, look at the formulas, and start problems.

Answer 8

IMO you should look up your topic/lesson on YT/KhanAcademy/Google. I happen to have complicated lessons until I research them a little, and the complexity breaks into simplicity.