Link to DRP Network and other DRP programs around the country. Link to UC Davis DRP network from which we have borrowed material. Both sites contain suggested textbooks and tips on participating in a directed reading program. See in particular: Resources-DRP network
Spend 10 minutes talking and getting to know each other! We want to recognize everyone as a person first and a future mathematician second. (See questions below)
5-10 minutes talking about courses and math the mentee has enjoyed. This allows the mentor to try to get an understanding of their mathematical background during this time. This is just a conversation, not a quiz.
5 minutes about the mentor’s area of math. The mentor can explain things at a non-technical level, possibly with a toy example. The mentee should just get inspiration and is not expected to fully understand advanced coursework or research.
Discuss possible readings and try to determine which readings you might both be interested in. (The mentee can look over the options after the meeting before making a decision.)
Schedule a regular time to meet.
Getting to know each other:
Introduce yourselves and exchange your preferred pronouns.
What are your goals after college? (They may not know this yet, and that’s okay)
What is a funny thing that has happened in one of your classes?
Favorite movie/book/artist
Mathematical interest questions:
What do you like about studying math?
What has been your favorite mathematical topic you learned in a class?
What has been your favorite math class?
What has been your favorite math textbook? Why?
Logistics questions:
How would you describe your optimal learning style?
How busy are you this quarter?
Mentor: Compile a list of possible readings based on the mentees form and interests. See links above for suggested readings!
Mentor: explain in a few sentences the idea behind some of the possible readings.
Mentee(s): express which readings sound appealing to you, or whether you would prefer a different topic or are worried about the level.
Mentor and Mentee(s): Choose 1 or 2 readings by the end of the meeting and specify which portions the mentee(s) should read in the next week to decide if one of those readings is a good fit. Then reassess when you reconvene the following week. Two ways to readjust are: slow down (go through a smaller amount of material each week) or change to a more accessible reading. This could be in the same topic or a different topic. You can consult with DRP organizers, faculty advisors, or grad students, postdocs, or other faculty in that subfield to get suggestions on readings.
Be flexible! Remember that whatever you both choose does not have to be the thing you read about for the rest of the DRP. You can always readjust if needed.
Check whether you have answered any of the following questions
What is the main idea you are trying to explain in your talk/poster?
Did you include examples, pictures, or other ways for the audience to gain intuition for the ideas you are communicating?
Is there anything included in your talk/poster that is unnecessary for understanding the main point? Would the presentation be clearer if you remove it? Do you have enough time to include it?
What percentage of your talk/poster is devoted to: (1) motivation (2) background (3) main idea (4) examples (5) further directions (6) other?
What part of your presentation do you think your audience will most enjoy?
Are there parts which you think your audience will not understand or will be confused by?
Is your presentation too long, or are your slides/poster overcrowded?
How can you shorten and simplify?
Have you practiced your presentation with your mentor, or with classmates or with someone who has not taken advanced undergraduate mathematics courses?