<p>Not necessarily for APs, but I figured lots of you would have some good tips.</p>
<p>I took AP Calculus AB this year as a senior. While I feel that I enjoyed and understood the subject matter greatly, my class got no where near where we were supposed to get. I really want to have a good Calculus base for college next year, especially if I decide to start in Calc II.</p>
<p>I just ordered Spivak's book, since I've heard nothing but raving reviews from people who have used it in a similar fashion to what I am going to use it for.</p>
<p>I've never really self-studied before, so I'm not really sure how to go about it. I want it to be structured, and I want to get as far as possible over the summer. Would two hours a day, every day but one a week be adequate? I don't want to get burned out and just give up altogether.</p>
<p>Any tips for keeping me motivated and on track?</p>
<p>I have the utmost respect for you. Your reasons for self-studying are motivation enough for you to keep going. To be determined enough to self-study Calculus even after the AP just to prepare yourself is something to be proud of. I could give you advice on self-studying, but my self-studies have been superficial at best, just for college credit.</p>
<p>I’ve tried to self study a few classes - I was beyond interested in the material, but I found that studying out of a review or textbook was just boring. I need a bit more structure and some discussion for it to be effective. </p>
<p>“I was beyond interested in the material, but I found that studying out of a review or textbook was just boring. I need a bit more structure and some discussion for it to be effective.” </p>
<p>I totally agree with Monoclide. I’m the same delimma with physics. I’ve been looking for some sort of online course, and only thing I’ve come accross so far is MIT vid Lectures. </p>
<p>@Beta_Fist: you might want to check out MIT opencourseware as well. I’ve heard a lot of good remarks on spivak, you’ll know you’re material very well. I currently have Apostol’s Calculus, which is also a good book.</p>
<p>I am self-studying calc too ~
What works for me, and if possible, maybe for you is to study just a bit everyday but make sure you study at the same time each day. I also get some food that I like to eat, obviously not something hard to eat while staring at a math book (I personally eat Jelly-Belly jellybeans yummy! one for each problem or something) and eat that particular delicious food only when I’m doing math so when I get a hungry for them I get out my math book and start working while eating until I’m full or bored. I think it’s really important not to push yourself, if you are bored then what are the chances you will willingly study tomorrow? At the first feelings of boredom I usually stop or tell myself “just one more”. The good thing about “just one more” is that sometimes I get too caught up in the problems and keep doing them without noticing ^-^; </p>
<p>tl;dr
By setting math to a certain time, I am making it a habit. By eating my favorite snacks only in conjunction with math I am making a positive association ( especially if the food has sugar because it will activate dopamine circuits and connect math with food and happiness)</p>
<p>Good luck! I know you can do it if you keep both long and short term goals e.g.
long: finish the math book by the start of school
short: finish a chapter every week
micro: completely understand lesson 9.1 today</p>
<p>honestly, the way I self study is just sit down when I have time and spend hours doing nothing but whatever I am studying. I find it kind of fun</p>
I’ve heard a lot of good remarks on spivak, you’ll know you’re material very well. I currently have Apostol’s Calculus, which is also a good book.</p>
yummy! one for each problem or something) and eat that particular delicious food only when I’m doing math so when I get a hungry for them I get out my math book and start working while eating until I’m full or bored. I think it’s really important not to push yourself, if you are bored then what are the chances you will willingly study tomorrow? At the first feelings of boredom I usually stop or tell myself “just one more”. The good thing about “just one more” is that sometimes I get too caught up in the problems and keep doing them without noticing ^-^; </p>