Getting Help
💬 Telegram Group
Main Communication Channel
The Telegram group is our primary platform for:
- 📢 Course announcements and updates
- ❓ Quick questions and clarifications
- 💡 Discussion of concepts and approaches
- 👥 Finding study partners
- 📅 Schedule changes and reminders
Link: Provided in class or by instructor
Guidelines
- ✅ Ask conceptual questions, discuss problem-solving strategies
- ✅ Help classmates understand concepts
- ✅ Search chat history before asking repeated questions
- ❌ Don’t share complete homework solutions
- ❌ Don’t ask for answers without showing your work
🎓 Mentors & Office Hours
When to Seek Help:
- Understanding homework problems
- Clarifying lecture material
- Reviewing proof techniques
- Preparing for exams
- Getting feedback on your approach
What Mentors Can Do:
- Explain concepts in different ways
- Point you in the right direction
- Help debug your reasoning
- Suggest practice problems
- Review your proof strategy
What Mentors Won’t Do:
- Solve homework for you
- Give you exam answers
- Write proofs for you
Contact: Via Telegram group or scheduled office hours
👥 Study Groups
Why Study Groups Work
- Explain concepts to solidify understanding
- Learn different problem-solving approaches
- Stay motivated and accountable
- Practice mathematical communication
- Catch each other’s mistakes
Finding Study Partners
- Post in Telegram: “Looking for study group for Module X”
- Connect with classmates after lectures
- Form groups of 3–5 students
Running Effective Sessions
Good practices:
- Schedule regular meetings (2–3 times per week before deadlines)
- Work through problems together on a whiteboard
- Take turns explaining solutions
- Quiz each other on definitions
- Prepare individually before meeting
Avoid:
- Just copying each other’s work
- Letting one person do all the explaining
- Only socializing without studying
- Meeting only right before deadlines
Remember: See Academic Integrity for collaboration rules
❓ How to Ask Good Questions
Effective Question Structure
❌ Ineffective: “I don’t understand Cantor’s theorem.”
✅ Effective: “I understand that Cantor’s theorem proves \(|A| < |\mathcal{P}(A)|\), but I’m confused about why the diagonal argument works. Specifically, how does constructing a set \(S\) that differs from every set in the supposed surjection lead to a contradiction?”
Include
- What you know: Show your current understanding
- What you tried: Explain your attempts
- Where you’re stuck: Pinpoint the specific confusion
- Relevant context: Problem statement, theorem, concept
Homework Question Guidelines
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| “Can you explain what ‘reflexive’ means?” | “What’s the answer to problem 3?” |
| “Is this approach correct: …” | “Can you solve this for me?” |
| “How do I start this type of problem?” | “What’s the full solution?” |
| “Can you check if my proof strategy works?” | “Can you write the proof?” |
📧 Instructor Contact
For:
- Course policy questions
- Grade concerns
- Special circumstances (illness, conflicts)
- Feedback on course content
Best method: Telegram direct message or as announced in class
💡 Self-Help Resources
Before asking, try:
- Re-read lecture notes
- Check textbook explanations
- Review similar homework problems
- Search the Telegram chat history
- Attempt the problem for at least 30 minutes
🔄 Feedback Welcome
Help us improve the course:
- Suggest topics for review sessions
- Report confusing material
- Share what’s working well
- Propose alternative explanations
Your input shapes the course!