all-nighters that really aren't worth it

[kaydeefalls]

It's almost sunrise. I'm pulling an all-nighter because I haven't finished my Calc 151 homework. I haven't finished said homework because I don't know how to come up with proofs. Especially not epsilon-delta proofs. And I've gotten very low scores on all my other homeworks because of this, so I'd really kinda like to get a decent grade on this one.

Except that I still can't do math proofs. My brain just isn't wired properly for them. I understand them when I see them, but I can't ocme up with them on my own.

I have to have this in my professor's mailbox in six hours.

This is SO not a good reason to pull an all-nighter.

Help?

Comments

[msilverstar]

This is what tutors are for. TAs. Office hours. There's an infrastructure to help if you ask for it, so you have to ask! They really really want you to learn this stuff -- that's the whole point of the class. If you don't get it from the lecture, find some other way to learn it. OK?

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

Yarg. Yeah, I should really do that.

[msilverstar]

I'm going to bug you until you do. This is not about being smart. It's not that you should get it the first time, or understand it by yourself. Learn from my experience, please! Ask for help early instead of getting in deep and screwing up your grades. Asking is not failing. NOT asking is the failure mode.

[troisroyaumes]

Call me if you need help. I've done (way too many) epsilon-delta proofs, so I can probably at least point you in the right direction. They actually were the only ones I liked.

I mean, I'm not particularly good at proofs or anything, but after a year of doing nothing else BUT proofs in math, I've picked up a few patterns to stick to. Also, I have both volumes of Apostol, if you don't, and he's always a good reference.

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

I may take you up on that on Wednesday if I still don't know what I'm doing (and the midterm is Thursday).

[wolfsage.livejournal.com]

oh man, i hate math. i feel your pain. i'm so glad i'm not ever ever ever doing calculus again. i used to stay up all freaking night studying for those stupid tests until i gave up.

[kaydeefalls.livejournal.com]

Calculus I don't mind. Math in general I don't mind. It's just proofs that kill me.

[wolfsage.livejournal.com]

i said that about geometry. algebra is fine. calculus involving algebra is also fine. start adding anything not abstract, and i'm fcuked. but yanno, i still never want to do it again.

actually, i love solving variable equations. am such a geek. gimme!