How to tackle problem sets (without getting too stuck too often)

Don’t work to deadline with the problem sets assigned in technical courses. It’s so tempting to start late, and it’s such a terrible strategy.

Many students find that they can motivate themselves more easily if they wait to start until the night before something is due to start it. They give themselves a solid block of time, and promise themselves to work until the questions are solved. Don’t do this! It’s a trap! The first problem is that you’re likely to get bottlenecked: you might wind up with several assignments due on the same day and either run out of time or get too overwhelmed to work on any of them. The second problem is that you might get stuck, and since the assignment is due the next day, your only real recourse is to stare at the blank page until either inspiration hits or you fall asleep.

There is a better way. Here are some tips to help.

1. Read the questions as soon as the problem set is assigned. As soon as you get a spare minute, or as soon as you get home, read through the questions. Even if you don’t actively start solving the problems, you’ll have them in the back of your mind, and will likely generate ideas as you’re doing other things.


2. Work constantly, not forcefully. Work in small chunks of time. Instead of working on the entire set as a whole, try at least one question every day. Tackle a problem here and a problem there, as you get a moment to sit down. You might consider trying one question every night, or one question every time you have a break between classes. The problem set will feel less overwhelming, and you won’t have the imminent deadline panic stripping you of creativity. Additionally, every time you solve a problem, you’ll feel empowered and productive.


3. When you get stuck, move your body. If you can’t solve one of the problems, then put it away for a few minutes, and do something else, ideally something active. You can exercise, go for a walk, do the laundry, wash dishes. You’ll be surprised how often the next step will come to you as you’re focusing on something else. Of course, you can only try this trick if you’ve started your problem set in advance of the deadline.


4. Work with friends (if you’re allowed to collaborate). Study groups can be powerful. It’s often easier to learn from classmates than from TAs or professors, particularly on problem sets. Structure your study group wisely though. They can take up too much time in already packed schedules unless you all start the problem set before you meet, and come with specific questions.


5. Ask questions in tutorials and office hours. If, after you’ve worked on the problem set for several days, you still have questions that you can’t crack, then ask for help in tutorials or office hours (but don’t wait until the very last minute before the due-date or else your professors might get annoyed). Bring your work so that you can show your attempts, and so that you can establish that you’ve been working diligently. Often, TAs and professors will work through the problem line by line and make sure that you understand both the concept and the solution.


6. Write your solutions out nicely, and include all your steps. Your professors and TAs are looking for how you attempted to solve the problem, so make sure to keep your reasoning clear, even if you haven’t finished the question. Additionally, clear solutions that are easy to read line by line will help you to study for tests and exams.

Problem sets in technical courses are invaluable. Often, the best way to understand the big concepts is to play around with them.  The questions themselves also help you in very practical ways; they show you which ideas you don’t understand (even if you thought that they made sense in the lectures), and they prepare you for tests and exams. Make sure that you can always answer the questions. If you have questions, don’t give up. If you struggle, then ask for help.