Was it just me, or math classes don't really work?

Question

I mastered maths entirely by myself. There is no point in attending those classes since I can read those textbooks, try out problems and check for the answers until I get it right. I actually became smarter than all my teachers at the end of each course at solving problems.
Was it just my strong inclination towards mathematics, or is it the same for everyone?

Answer 1

It is the same for me! I love math but dislike math class. I did not do well in it as a kid. I later started reading math books from the library on my own and discovered I really liked it and could understand it. 15 years after my last math class I scored a 750 in Math on my GRE.

Answer 2

I used to think that math classes were a waste of time too until I changed my perspective on the role of a professor. A student can purchase a textbook and start learning about a subject, not just in math but in anything. However, there is so much information out there to be learned in a lifetime, let alone in 4 years. Thus a professor’s main job as an expert in the field is to guide people so that they will learn the important topics. People who don’t have a vast knowledge, lets say in math, will not be able to distinguish the more relevant topics from the others.

Just think about an area that you are an expert in. It can be anything, like computers, cars, sports, or whatever. If someone who only has a basic knowledge of computers wanted to learn about programming and you happen to be an expert programmer, you could definitely save that person some time and anguish.

But still, I think I understand what you mean by not learning anything. Some professors are better lecturers than others so you may want to ask around before you take a math class. But in the harder math classes, I am not sure if you will be able to teach yourself.

Answer 3

I am in college and all the math classes have taken I feel at the end were a total waste of my money. You are right usually the teachers are horrible at explaining or they go through it way to fast. I always ended up teaching myself.