You will be assigned homework problems daily. Doing your homework every day is important! These problems will be similar to the material covered in class, with additional extension questions designed to deepen your conceptual understanding.
Struggling through these problems and getting a partial or incorrect solution is better for your learning than not trying at all. You are learning how to persevere through a complex problem!
If you're stuck on a problem, try going through this thought process:
Read the problem again. Scan the problem quickly, then read it more closely, then read it one more time and underline/highlight any key words or phrases.
Do you know what the problem is really asking? Can you paraphrase the problem in your own words? Are there any highlighted words or phrases that you don't understand? Try looking in your notes to see if the same words or phrases were used previously.
Think about the big picture. How does the problem relate to what you already know? Even if you're not 100% sure what to do, can you identify (or point yourself in the right direction of) your goal?
Do something! Now that you know the general concept involved in the problem, start writing. What you write down could end up being incorrect, but it could also help move you forward. You won't know until you try!
Reflect on what you've done so far. How does your work contribute to the goal you identified? What do you feel confident about? What are you not as sure about?
Use your resources. Look at your notes, ask a friend, or look up similar problems online to get ideas. You might also ask ChatGPT a question... but think critically about it (see the next step.)
Check your work. Is your answer or solution reasonable? If you got online help, how can you verify that the solution is correct? (Remember not everything online is right!)
Annotate your work! If you finished the problem, congratulate yourself and look back at your work. Where did you get stuck? What helped you get unstuck? What can you take away from the experience to help yourself in the future? If you're still stuck, write down some notes and questions so you can ask the next day at school. Engaging in the metacognitive process will help you become stronger for the next challenge.
Remember, trying and making mistakes is part of the learning process! You should be proud of yourself for sticking through a challenge.