Math Help Center
Most universities and colleges in the U.S. that impart basic Math and Statistics courses, regardless of their size or prestige, have always something in common (no, not the marching band): it is the never properly appreciated infamous Math Help Center.
It comes with different names, the Math Center, the Math Room, the Math Help Center, the Tutor Center, etc, but the idea is the same: it is a place where you can drop by to get math help by willing teaching assistant, sometimes your own teaching assistant, who you already know, or someone else.
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When I talk to students, I find that many of them don't really appreciate the idea of a Math Center. "It is always packed", "you cannot find a place to sit", "there are some people that take up all the time", "I don't like how so and so teaches", etc. Some students don't even know that there is a Math Center at all. Go figure.
It is a great place to Find Math Support
The first reason to attend to the Math Center is that you can find real-time math support when you needed. It is true that if you stop by the days before tests and midterm they could be a little busier than usual. But with a little patience you can be helped.
Now, it is wise to show up ideally at a time where demand is not so high. I was a teaching assistant at some point in my life, and I have a clear perspective of the inner workings of a Math Center, and I can tell you that there are times where literally NOBODY shows up, and there are times where EVERYONE shows up at the same time. And all the math tutors pull their hair thinking "why the h*ck they show up all at the same time".
Some places attempt to handle this potential situation with appointments, so that everyone gets some timely math assistance. But in practicality, as I have seen myself, tutors will tend to accommodate everyone that shows up. So if you are really in a pickle and you need to get math assistance, just show up even if you don't have an appointment, because chances are they will accommodate you.
The Option of Math Tutoring Online
Some people will avoid the Math Center altogether. Sometimes it is because of a matter of taste, sometimes because of a not so good experience there. Whatever the reason is, it is fine, in the end it is you who need to decide what is best for you. Maybe you prefer to study alone, without lots of students around you, and that is totally valid.
Some universities have some kind of online tutoring system for math support, but it is less common, although certain worldwide circumstances (pandemic, etc) could make them more prevalent in the future. If that is the case, and you prefer to study alone, without being next to lots of students, that is an option you could potentially take. But on the other hand, math tutoring online is not for everyone, and you will need to decide what suits you better.
Really, what are my options to find math support
In summary, sometimes the math center at your school may not get a good rep, but I can tell you first hand that the tutors there are working hard to help students. It is difficult at times to accommodate everyone, because due to Murphy's Law, it is a remarkable mathematical certainty that everyone will decide to show up at the same time to get math help.
So my advice would be
- Be as strategic as you can: Avoid times where you expect agglomerations occur (usually before midterms and exams), and plan to go at low demand times.
- Also, take a written list of your concrete questions to avoid drifting far from the specific things you need to clarify.
- Finally, try to establish a good rapport with tutors that you like, so you learn about their schedule and you can come see them directly. Ask them what time is best to come by the Math Center, and they will lead you in the right direction.
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