Developing a Math Mindset

I enjoy working with students in math because I get to watch someone go from being uncertain, insecure, or scared of approaching math, to that ‘aha!’ moment where they feel like they can take on the world. It’s a great joy to get to be a part of someone’s life in that way and help them realize they can learn anything.

Chris Josselyn, Assistant Director of Student Success, is one of our main systems of support for students in math classes here at King’s. Because math to be a greater area of stress for many of our students, we asked Chris to share about his work and why he loves mathematics.

Tell us about the ways you support students in their math classes. What does that look like?

I help students in their math courses in three different ways:
Review sessions are similar to supplementary classes in which students can learn what’s going on in the course with an emphasis on example problems.
One-on-one tutoring supports student in their mindset; here we get into how someone thinks about each problem and work on different approaches.
Homework help: I’ll have open office hours (look for my emails) for anyone to come by and work on their homework either in or right outside my office, so you can ask questions as needed. This is a great time to both keep you accountable for homework and help you avoid video tutorials (but that’s a rant for another time).

What are the most frequent comments/questions you hear from students regarding math courses?

I’m often asked “what’s the easiest math class to take?” Many assume that it’s QR (Quantitative Reasoning), but that’s really not true. Each of the four math classes vary significantly. I’ve watched students excel in Calculus but really struggle in QR. It depends on your skillset and the way you think. If you’re really good with reading graphs and geometry, I recommend Statistics. For those with a strong Algebra background and enjoy questions like “if this, then what,” you could be well-suited for Finite Math. If you like functions and graphs, Calculus could be a breeze. Lastly, if you like asking questions or have a strong natural curiosity, QR is likely the path for you.

What are the best approaches you’ve seen for studying for math courses?

Two come to mind. First, when studying for math classes, practice and tutorials are the best ways to prepare. Either meet with me or the Faculty Assistant (Grace Vlaha this year) to get an idea of how to approach different problems. Then practice them over and over until you’re confident you can solve a question without hesitation.

Even more helpful than studying for math classes is in the classroom itself. When your professor is working through an example, don’t fret over copying down everything they put on the board; that’s not going to help you. When the professor is working through problems, be thinking about the problems yourself and trying to solve it alongside the class. This shifts from passively learning or taking notes to actively learning while in the class.

When and where are your Review Sessions for each math course?

I host review sessions for each of the math classes on the night before a quiz, all in Classroom 521. Finite Math is always at 4:30pm every Monday and Thursday, Calculus is at 5:00pm, and QR is at 6:00pm.

Why do you enjoy working with students in math?

Math is one of the most undervalued fields of study. Studying math helps people develop natural “if this, then what next questions,” and it is so closely intertwined with philosophy that learning math is a necessary part of understanding your coursework at King’s.

I also enjoy working with students in math because I get to watch someone go from being uncertain, insecure, or scared of approaching math, to that “aha!” moment where they feel like they can take on the world. It’s a great joy to get to be a part of someone’s life in that way and help them realize they can learn anything. Life is not limited to “I’m not a math person,” and it’s my goal to prove that.