prof confessions
Everyone is smarter than me…
“You know, I did alright last semester — I got 80s and 90s on test — but this semester is a lot harder. I know it’s because I forgot some of the material that’s a Read more…
test-taking
Free response questions on AP calc exams
A lot of students report that the multiple choice part of the AP Calc exam went fine, whether AB or BC, but the free response section… “I did know all the topics inside and out Read more…
prof confessions
AP Calc is not the same as college math
Here is a public service announcement from your friendly internet college professor. AP Calc BC is not really equivalent to the first year of calculus at a really rigorous college. At a lot of colleges, Read more…
psychology research
Test-taking tip: get back into your body
Are you someone who knows the material but just gets freaked out on exams? Or someone who starts second-guessing his answers, then erases everything he’s written and writes something else that turns out to be Read more…
prof confessions
Play, beauty, truth, justice, love
Francis Su just ended his term as president of the Mathematical Association of America in January 2017. At his blog, he posted the text of his farewell address. Let’s be honest: even as a jaded Read more…
role models
Hidden figures everywhere: don’t let history be erased!
Role models: a hokey concept from middle school, right? Well, maybe. When you’re getting ready to tackle college math (whatever level you’re at) it can be surprisingly useful to educate yourself about some mathematical role Read more…
math tips
Problem-solving is not identifying key words
Problem-solving in math is not just about identifying the keyword in a word problem, the word that will tell you whether to apply the quadratic formula or take a derivative. Problem-solving is often a lot Read more…
math writing
I have to write in math?
“You mean I have to write stuff in this class?!” Something I hear all the time in my math classes! Take it from a college professor — YES, you need to write in my math Read more…
psychology research
Cheat sheets aren’t cheating
…but I still try not to call them that in class! In a lot of my college classes I allow note sheets on tests, but not for the reasons you think. Just one piece of paper, or Read more…
math tips
Units can save you
I once had a student working through a midterm exam problem in calculus, about a bike ride: A bicyclist sets off for school. She takes fifteen minutes to get up to cruising speed, 16 miles Read more…