Doing well in university?
I finally got accepted into the University of Waterloo for mathematics regular (going to major in computer science in second year). I start in January (applied for the winter 2016 term) and I am really looking forward to starting it. However, I need to get the highest mark possible (85%+ hopefully) to get into co-op. The average of getting in is based on the number of spots available and the average is relative to every applicant.
The courses I'm taking are:
MATH 135 - Algebra (not basic algebra, it is just proofs)
MATH 137 - Calculus I
CS 115 - Introduction to programming I
ENGL 109 - Introduction to Academic Writing (I have to take this and I really suck at writing essays and stuff..)
ECON 101 - Microeconomics
The only two courses I'm concerned about are proofs and academic writing. I already know how to code and stuff and took the easier CS course to start off my first year to boost my average higher and microeconomics is also an easy mark booster. I don't exactly know how to study for proofs or write proper essays.
How can I do well in these courses (mostly focusing on the proofs and academic writing courses)? I'm really concerned because I have never done proofs before and I don't even know where to start. Any advice is appreciated.
11 Comments • Newest first
@mdisback: You must be new here, there are a crap ton of over 20's in the Chat section.
@lukile haha
@mdisback: yeah isn't it great? there are so many of us on here.
i like how a university student is on a kids site
Congrats to you! Current UW student, but not in the Math/CS program. UW is known for the math/CS/engineering programs, so I wouldn't be so confident going into university even if you already know the basics. What I can say is that ECON 101 is a breeze.
Currently looking for a job as a soon to be grad in CS :o
Best of luck to you!
I did a quick google search for Waterloo on writing help because I'm pretty sure every institution now has some sort of Writing Centre.
https://uwaterloo.ca/writing-centre/
Anyone can learn how to write proper essays. I also suggest really communicating with the prof of your English class!
Shout out to Waterloo. My uncle was a professor of computer science there and he invented Maple, not the game, the algebra software you'll be using.
@caca: intro to microecon is a joke. Easy GPA booster.
microecon is NOT a gpa booster. believe me when i say this, it's not as easy as you think it is.
Writing one way or another is a matter of establishing a certain orderly flow; that is, you first need to identify what exactly rolls off the tongue or does not sound awkward when read to yourself. A well written piece will have noticeable organization of the information as well as sound coherent and clear when read aloud. This, like competency in mathematics, comes with a certain amount of practice.
Regarding proofs; one of the best ways to approach understanding them is to try to understand what exactly the mathematician was thinking when they came up with it. As you probably know, a proof is essentially a mathematically expressed argument which is always true. In order to fully understand proofs, you need to first understand how to think like a mathematician, which is, as mentioned before, developed primarily through habit.
P.S.) Since this is your first year at a university, remember, and I cannot stress this enough, to manage your time efficiently. This is hammered into incoming undergrads on a daily basis, yet it is often never actually understood until it is too late.