Comments on: On the place of struggle within Mathematics – how to truly get rid of distractions

By: Florence

Florence — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 15:28:34 +0000

Thank you so much Dr. Shock.
This has helped me realise my mistakes and how important doing the tutorial is, without giving up…and waiting for the memorandum.

Will follow the tips and become a problem solver.

By: Sam Wolski

Sam Wolski — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 21:09:43 +0000

Thanks Dr Shock, I think this post shows off some effective ideas that I will try to apply the next time the students I am tutoring feel like they are approaching learning in the wrong way… Always good to have more in your arsenal as a tutor and mentor.

By: Jonathan Shock

Jonathan Shock — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:24:08 +0000

Interesting, thank you for this. I wasn’t aware of this quote.

By: Yaseen Mowzer

Yaseen Mowzer — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:06:50 +0000

Upon losing the sight in both eyes, Euler remarked, “Now I will have fewer distractions”.

By: Jonathan Shock

Jonathan Shock — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 19:47:10 +0000

Thank you Kabelo – I look forward to reading these!

By: Kabelo Moiloa

Kabelo Moiloa — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 18:06:29 +0000

Cal Newport writes about this sort of stuff a lot, here is an intro for the uninitiated:
The notion of “deep work”, is quite similar to Dr. Shocks suggestions here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2012/11/21/knowledge-workers-are-bad-at-working-and-heres-what-to-do-about-it/
Here is his guide to doing well in technical courses: http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/11/14/how-to-ace-calculus-the-art-of-doing-well-in-technical-courses/

By: Jonathan Shock

Jonathan Shock — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 14:21:58 +0000

That’s great to hear that you had come to a similar conclusion.

By: Lucas Martin

Lucas Martin — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 12:18:09 +0000

Thanks a lot Dr. Shock, recently it’s got to a point where I even felt anxiety coz of my phone. I’d study and immediately look at my social media after a few questions, with the same thought process as you have indicated. Then I’d start panicking because by the end of the day I would not have covered as much as I initially wanted to and the test date looms even closer. A few days ago I decided to just stop my social media presence completely and I feel much more productive and confident in my level of knowledge. Thanks for this article, it reinforces my new belief system with some great info and tips

By: Jonathan Shock

Jonathan Shock — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:42:39 +0000

I think that the creative process of art and mathematics are not always that far away from one another.

By: kandrnorthamerica2012

kandrnorthamerica2012 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:32:56 +0000

I don’t know if it works for all other subjects but I find that the most satisfying thing in art is to find problems in producing effects I want and finally working out a solution. Sometimes it takes me years but it is the best part of painting for me. The satisfaction of finding the solutions.