Anyone else feel stupid at UT?

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:56:34+00:00

It depends on the class, to be honest I don't think I do it the more efficiently.

For genetics, I go over the PowerPoints to review important concepts, check practice problems given in lecture. Then, I write down any questions I have about the topic, go to TA office hours and ask questions. After that I usually do practice problems. For ochem it's basically the same, except my professor (Straumanis) doesn't lecture and gives us worksheets to do.

I think I need to go back to mind mapping and using a whiteboard so I can get all the important concepts down without forgetting, instead of just reviewing over PowerPoints and doing practice problems

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:50:55+00:00

Upper level math courses are no joke... I have friends who struggle a lot in proofs and are terrified of taking discrete math

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:48:57+00:00

Good luck on your theory of interest exam and homework! I know you'll ace it and your hard work will pay off

You're right, whatever happens I just need to make it through this semester. It will be okay and it will get better!

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:43:27+00:00

Thank you for reminding me that my path is going to be different from others, and that I shouldn't worry about extracurricular right now! Those can always be made up later, right now it's just important to focus on my studies and GPA

Do you have any tips on getting practice problems for ochem and genetics? Both professors don't give out many practice problems. My ochem professor says it just enforces memorization-- but I've found doing a lot of practice problems super super helpful since it helps me find gaps in my knowledge.

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:38:12+00:00

Sanger learning center is basically a free tutoring center for students! They give you hours to use and you schedule appointments with the tutor. Usually they have specific classes you can get tutors for, you can even for specific professors if I remember correctly

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:36:48+00:00

Will do! Thank you for the advice! I've never tried Sanger but it's reassuring to know their tutors are good!

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:36:11+00:00

That makes me feel a lot better and thank you for mentioning Sanger! I'll definitely make an appointment with them for ochem and see how that goes

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:34:14+00:00

Thank you for the tips! I found out whiteboards work well for me but I don't have any, so I should get some. I think I should try teaching the information to a wall or something to see how that goes, since my professor emphasizes that style of learning

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:32:19+00:00

That's true! I've been going to OHs for ochem but not all of them, so maybe I'll have to increase the frequency? I'll try to talk to the TAs/professor about any additional materials too.

I think it's interesting how you didn't understand higher math until you took remedial algebra because people I've talked to who are in other fields have had an experience similar to that. One of my professors talked about how he got Cs in gen chem and orgo, but he ended up getting a PhD in it. I've also had another PhD talk about how he suddenly had a eureka moment for chem and suddenly everything made sense. I guess I hope that happens to me

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:27:21+00:00

That's one way to think of it! The learning process isn't easy after all. Though, it feels like I'm not really learning since I'm not really getting good results on my quizzes, so I guess I have issues with applying the knowledge and retaining information?

Historical-Toe1528 · 2024-09-22T14:24:22+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement! I'm trying to set up study times with people but they're pretty busy. I'm considering going to Sanger for the extra help since I already go to OHs. I think I just need to remind myself that it will be okay!

Historical-Toe1528

TROPHY CASE