Help! Math is hard!

...well, no it's not, but it does take practice. Many students in this course haven't taken a math class in several years, so you may not be used to thinking like a mathematician. The course material might not come naturally at first. That's okay! Math, like all things, gets a whole lot easier with a bit of practice.

What should you do if you're having trouble in the class?

• Attend class!
  I realize that in a 9 AM class, this is much easier said than done. (I don't like waking up early any more than you do!) Paying attention during lecture is the single most important thing you can do if you want to succeed in this course. Take notes, but only if this won't distract you from following the lecture.
  
• Read the book!
  The textbook for this course is fairly well-written and accessible. Read it! Lecture will often cover topics in greater detail than the book does, but the book does a good job of explaining the basic ideas.
  
• Ask questions!
  If you have a question, ask! Asking questions during lecture is great, because then the whole class gets to hear the answer. I'll also be glad to answer any questions in e-mail or during office hours. (If you can't make it to my normal office hours, feel free to e-mail me and set up an appointment. You can also just stop by my office if you're in the neighborhood; if I'm around, I'll probably be glad to talk.)
  
• Tutoring!
  If you're still having trouble with the material, you might want to hire a tutor. The math department makes this fairly easy: you can find a list of available tutors here. (Be warned that this is not a free service.)