Should I express difficulty in reading technical material to my boss?

Question

The scientific journal articles I was told to read are highly technical and geared toward grad students and professors/researchers. I am an undergrad who has not taken upper-level classes yet and am finding it extremely difficult to follow the material.
I started this job 2 weeks ago and I work with a grad student. Should I express to the grad student or the professor, who is my boss, that I am having difficulty and don't know if I am ready for the material? Or should I just say that I am okay but it is challenging? What should I do? If I should say something, who should I say it to? I feel like a disappointment...

Answer 1

You should express it, but express it in a way that helps them to help you. If I were you I'd go to grad student and ask question. Tell him/her exactly where you're stuck, and ask concrete questoins. Even if it's like "I don't understand this sentence, could you please clarify?" is fine. Even if it is the sentence #2 in the article. General stuff "I'm exeriencing difficulties" is like saying "I don't wanna read this stuff, give me something else to do". Which is OK to do after you at least tried. They should give you a project that is educational, not something that only frustrates and intimidates you.

Professor is OK to ask to, but I take it he's harder to catch in his office.

They are not exactly your bosses, they are supposed to be your teachers.

Don't try to fully understand abstracts of the article before you read the article. Often enough they conatin the material of the whole article compressed in 2-3 sentences. If abstract doesn't make sence right away, skim over it and read the whole article. Skip over the places that are unlear. Come back to them later. Articles are not exactly page-turners. Good luck with it.

Answer 2

LIE!!!
then when u are askd questions on the paper say u just havent got there yet

try it 4 3weeks and get fired.


tell him