Re-learning Math and becoming more comfortable

Question

As someone finishing up their BSc in Electrical Engineering, it is becoming very clear that I need to improve my mathematically abilities significantly if I want to pursue any more education.

I always considered myself to be at least decent at mathematics. In High School, I took the Calculus BC exam and got a 5 on it very easily. It just feels like I got lost somewhere along the way in College. I will admit when I took Calculus II or III, I was not the best student but managed to do okay in those courses. However, now I am taking a higher level math course (Stochastic Processes) and a graduate level EE course (Optimal Systems). The latter focuses on a lot of concepts from Real Analysis to motivate the discussion of optimization.

I don't think I have ever struggled so much in any course ever. It's difficult for me to see solutions, and sometimes I do not even understand the solutions after seeing them. It's especially demoralizing for me to see other people in my class see solutions almost instantly. At this point, I don't know if I am just bad at math or my weak fundamentals are holding me back or a combination of both. I guess the broader question is how would I get better at math? I have been reading How to Solver it by Polya but I find it hard to actually apply the ideas I am reading about.

Any suggestions or ideas would be helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

I recommend getting several Schaum's Outline Series books that are related to the subjects you want to work on, such as the following:

Probability, Random Variables, and Random Processes

Theory and Problems of Real Variables; Lebesgue Measure and Integration With Applications to Fourier Series

Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists

Answer 2

Above all else, keep working hard and stay positive. Believe that you are capable, because chances are, you are. I am pursuing a Statistics Grad degree and my undergraduate is in Sociology. One thing that I found that has helped me is using a ti-89 calculator. I know some will shun me for suggesting this, but it is a helpful tool. The reality is that you are not being tested on your ability to foil or integrate (mastering those skills without a calculator is always helpful however). Ultimately understanding the processes and there applications is the goal. Good luck!