Seeking Advice on a Challenging Course (Program Requirement)
Hey everyone,
I’m currently taking a really tough class that requires a significant amount of time and effort, with numerous assignments, labs, and projects. It honestly feels like having a full-time job! While I manage to keep up with the assignments, my exam performance hasn’t been as strong.
One of the main issues I face during exams is that the questions and problems often don’t resemble those from our textbook or homework assignments. For instance, on the latest exam, I noticed that about a quarter of the questions seemed like tricky ones. I feel like I grasp the material reasonably well, but I still struggle with these tricky problems.
Do you have any suggestions on how to approach my professor about these concerns? I’m considering asking for a study guide to help me focus my studying. It would be incredibly beneficial if someone could clarify which types of problems to prepare for, rather than just relying on the problems in the book and homework.
Thanks in advance for your help!
It sounds like you’re really putting in the effort in this challenging class, and it’s completely understandable to feel frustrated about the exam format. Here are a few steps you could take to approach your professor:
Schedule a Meeting: Request a one-on-one meeting with your professor to discuss your concerns. Meeting in person (or via video chat) can help convey your commitment and seriousness about the course material.
Be Specific: When you meet, clearly outline your observations. Explain that while you’re doing well with the homework and labs, you struggle with the exam questions, particularly regarding how they differ from what you’ve seen in the book and assignments. Mention the trick questions and how they affect your performance.
Ask for Guidance: In your discussion, express your desire to understand what types of questions to focus on for future exams. A study guide or examples of the kind of problems you might face would be incredibly helpful.
Seek Additional Resources: In addition to asking for a study guide, you might inquire about any supplementary materials like past exams, quizzes, or relevant resources that can provide insight into the format and style of exam questions.
Consider Study Groups: If your professor suggests it, forming or joining a study group can be invaluable. Discussing tricky problems with peers often sheds light on different approaches that can help with those “trick” questions.
Stay Positive: Approach the conversation with a positive attitude. Frame your concerns not just as frustrations but as a desire to deepen your understanding of the material and do better on the exams.
Remember, professors often appreciate students who are proactive and engaged in their learning process. Good luck!