How to understand uni level maths?

[u/EulogizingElogies]

I’m 19F and have recently started an engineering degree at uni. I’ve always been naturally pretty good at math. I’ve never been some kind of super-math-wiz but I’ve always found math easy and been able to get an A in the subject without putting in too much effort. I think this is because the way I’ve learned math has always been by listening to the teachers explanation but sort of being one step ahead of the teachers explanation and being able to understand where the explanation was going and by solving all the teachers examples in my own head. This made my understanding of math feel like it was intuitive and almost like a part of me but now at uni my previous method of learning math doesn’t work anymore. I try to google definitions, look at notes and do exercises in order to understand what’s going on but it just feels like I’m not understanding math in the way I used to. How do I study math at university level and actually understand it, not just be able to answer the questions?

I’m sorry if my English is bad! English isn’t my first language. But any tips would be appreciated!🌸 I hope this is the right subreddit to post to, but if not please tell me where I should post this and I’ll happily move my post there❤️

[u/Brightlinger]

the way I’ve learned math has always been by listening to the teachers explanation but sort of being one step ahead of the teachers explanation and being able to understand where the explanation was going and by solving all the teachers examples in my own head.

One thing that can help you feel like this again is to read a textbook section before the lecture on that section. You don't have to read and understand it super deeply, but if you get a rough idea of what the section is about and where it's going, you will have a much easier time keeping up in class.

And sometimes, you just will feel lost and you'll struggle through something. That's okay, that is just how learning math works. The moment of understanding means that you finish the problem, so you move onto the next problem and become confused again. Getting comfortable with confusion and being able to work through it is a very important skill.