In this article, I’ll share some tips to help you tackle problem sets and practice assignments for subjects like math, physics, and similar courses.
The key to solving these types of assignments is to break down the exercises, go through the entire set, find the answers, categorize the problems, highlight the most important ones, and analyze patterns. You should also keep going if you get stuck, ask your professors when you have questions, add extra exam-style problems, and take notes on different solving methods.
Let’s dive into each of these in more detail—but first, a quick note.
What Are Problem Sets in College?
In college, especially in STEM courses like math, physics, and engineering, problem sets (or p-sets) are a common type of assignment.
They consist of a series of exercises designed to help students practice and apply the concepts learned in class.
Unlike simple homework problems, problem sets often require critical thinking, multiple steps to solve, and sometimes even collaborative work with classmates.
They can range from straightforward calculations to complex, real-world applications that challenge students to develop problem-solving skills.
10 Tips for Solving Problem Sets
1. Summarize the Exercises
Before starting the problem set, grab a sheet of paper and list all the exercises included in the assignment.
Leave some space next to each one. As you work through them, make a note of your progress—whether you solved it correctly, had some doubts, or couldn’t complete it.
2. Go Through the Entire Problem Set
This is one of the biggest mistakes that new college students make. Don’t worry about completing every single exercise. You don’t need to do them all unless your professor specifically requires it and asks you to submit them.
If no one is grading your problem sets, it’s up to you to decide which exercises to focus on.
Try to cover all the topics, but when you come across one you already understand, don’t waste any more time on it. Move on to another topic that you find more challenging.
3. Get the Results
Some problem sets come with the answers to the exercises, but others don’t. It’s ideal to have the results so you can be sure you’re solving the problems correctly.
If you can’t get the answers, you can ask your classmates, keeping in mind that they might make mistakes too.
4. Categorize the Exercises
In some cases, your professors or the problem set itself will tell you which topic each exercise is related to. But in other cases, you’ll only realize the topic as you try to solve it. Either way, make sure to note down which topic each exercise belongs to on your summary sheet.
5. Highlight the Most Important Ones
You should mark the exercises that are the core of the problem set. Highlight them as essential and try to dedicate more time to solving them.
6. Track Your Progress
Once you’ve completed the entire problem set, calculate the percentage of exercises you were able to solve correctly on your own. Note how many left you with doubts and how many you couldn’t solve. This will give you an idea of how well-prepared you are for the exam.
7. If You Get Stuck, Move On
Don’t waste time trying to solve something that seems too difficult! It’s better to move on and review it later once you’ve gone through the entire problem set.
Ideally, set a fixed amount of time for each exercise, and if you can’t solve it, move on to the next one. This way, you won’t spend too much time on a problem that might be too complex.
8. Ask Your Professors for Help
Once you’ve gone through the problem set, go to class and ask your professors about the exercises that confused you or that you couldn’t solve.
Leave your shyness behind and make sure to clear up all your doubts because, if not, you might end up with one of those problems you don’t understand on the exam.
9. Add Extra Problems or Exam-Style Questions to the Problem Set
Sometimes, exam or final questions are added to the problem set in class. It’s a good idea to work on them. But don’t leave them separate from the rest. It’s better to add them to the problem set as just another exercise. If you ever have to retake the exam or the course, they could be really helpful.
10. Note Different Ways to Solve
If, in class, they solve an exercise you’ve already worked on but in a different way, make sure to write down the alternative method they explain. It might help you understand the topic better.
Stay Consistent
Stay consistent with these tips. At first, you’ll want to apply all of them, but over time, you might feel frustrated and tempted to skip some. Don’t let that happen. Stick to these strategies at all times.
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