maths study advice that no one tells you | oxford maths degree

Summary

In this video, the presenter shares essential tips for mastering math, especially during exam season. With a personal journey of overcoming challenges in math, she emphasizes starting practice questions at the right level to build confidence and understanding. Key advice includes allowing time for problem-solving before checking solutions, reinforcing foundational concepts, and utilizing various resources for clearer explanations. The video also offers exam strategies, such as mastering material before attempting past papers, creating structured problem-solving recipes, and practicing under timed conditions. Overall, these insights aim to empower viewers to improve their math skills and perform better in exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with practice questions that match your current ability to build understanding and motivation.
• 😀 Give yourself time to think before checking solutions; treat your brain like a muscle that needs to be exercised.
• 😀 Use resources like Brilliant for interactive learning to solidify your understanding of math concepts.
• 😀 Don't rely on shortcuts in math, as a lack of foundational knowledge can lead to mistakes later on.
• 😀 If you're struggling with a topic, seek different explanations or resources instead of repeating the same material.
• 😀 Acknowledge the value of your subconscious mind; revisiting material can improve retention over time.
• 😀 Avoid doing past papers until you fully understand the material to gain maximum benefit from them.
• 😀 Create a structured approach for solving problems, like writing a 'recipe' for question types.
• 😀 Highlight useful information in exam questions and cross out irrelevant details to avoid confusion.
• 😀 Always check your work and practice under timed conditions to simulate real exam pressure.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video shares tips for improving math skills and preparing for math exams, particularly for students at various educational levels.

Why does the speaker emphasize starting with practice questions that match your ability?

Starting with questions that match your current ability helps build understanding and motivation, making it easier to progress without feeling overwhelmed.

What is a key mistake to avoid when practicing math questions?

A key mistake is checking the solution too quickly. The speaker suggests giving yourself time to think before looking at the answer to develop problem-solving skills.

How does the speaker recommend dealing with weaknesses in foundational math concepts?

The speaker advises identifying specific weaknesses and actively working on them rather than hoping they won't be exposed in future learning or exams.

What strategies does the speaker suggest for understanding challenging material?

The speaker suggests using different resources, such as online videos or alternative textbooks, to gain various explanations of the material rather than re-reading the same notes repeatedly.

What did the speaker learn about the role of quantity in revision?

The speaker learned that revising material multiple times, even if initially it seems unproductive, allows for better retention and understanding upon review.

What is the speaker’s advice regarding the use of past papers in exam preparation?

The speaker advises not to do past papers until you fully understand the material, as attempting them prematurely can lead to false confidence.

How can students effectively highlight important information in exam questions?

Students should highlight useful information and cross out irrelevant details to focus on what is necessary for solving the problem.

What is the importance of practicing under time pressure?

Practicing under time pressure helps students manage their time effectively during the actual exam, as math exams often require quick thinking and efficient problem-solving.

How does the speaker suggest verifying solutions in math problems?

The speaker recommends checking answers using calculators or different methods to confirm correctness, and if necessary, covering the original solution and solving it again from scratch.