Your First Problem Sheet (Undergraduate)

Many scientists are sent maths problem sheets to complete before term starts.  Maths is one of those things that is notorious for being forgotten quickly, so even if you've just aced the Maths A-Level, it is worth doing some preperation to get back into the practice of working through problems.  There is a large jump in the standard of maths from A-Level (or equivalent) to the degree work you will be doing.  Though there is help and tuition on hand to help with your understanding, you will be expected to teach yourself many of the new concepts, and the problems sheets are likely to be laying the foundations for work that will be set when you arrive. 

When you are working through the problem sheets, don't panic if you get stuck.  You may find that going back to the problem later will help, or a quick discussion with mathmatically minded friends or your subject parent helps you arrive at a solution.  And even if that doesn't all work, you are coming to Oxford to learn and are not expected to know all the answers straight away.

The final tip is not to leave it until the last minute, however easy it may appear.  As term approaches, your time will quickly disappear with packing, seeing friends and relatives, repacking and other preparations.  There is unlikely to be much time available during freshers week and you may find you have more work set (as terms are so short, some tutors like to get you started straight away).  It is probably best upon meeting your new tutor for the first time not to have to confess to not getting the work set completed when you've had most of the summer available.