{"id":757,"date":"2022-02-28T16:38:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T16:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/?p=757"},"modified":"2022-04-27T15:19:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T14:19:30","slug":"getting-un-stuck-at-a-mash-drop-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2022\/02\/28\/getting-un-stuck-at-a-mash-drop-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting un-stuck at a MASH drop-in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, my name is Claudia, I'm in my third year of a chemical engineering integrated master's, and here's how a Mathematics Resources Centre (MASH) drop-in helped me gain a deeper understanding of the mathematics used in my course.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Despite chemical engineering being a very mathematical course, with a large emphasis on mathematical modelling, the past two years of online learning has left me disconnected between the mathematics taught and their application. <\/span><\/p>\n

In my second year, I ignored some of the more complex concepts taught in the maths module, as they were not directly examinable. However, third year brought an entirely new set of concepts that needed a deeper understanding when applied to coursework. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, when I received my coursework, I began reviewing material on Moodle and lecture recordings, but I quickly realised that I couldn\u2019t understand the concepts solely with the lecturer\u2019s input. I began to explore other options, asking course mates and other lecturers, still with little luck. This definitely brought on a bit of panic especially as my deadline loomed closer and closer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I decided to attend a MASH drop-in session. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning at MASH<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When I attended the drop-in, the MASH tutor immediately pointed me to their colleague, Waleed, who had the greatest expertise around chemical engineering problems. I sat down with Waleed and described the topics I was having trouble with.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting from first concepts, he described on the whiteboard how the relevant mathematical technique is used to solve a partial differential equation. <\/span><\/p>\n

The best part was that I was able to ask for a certain concept to be explained in more detail<\/span>,<\/span> or<\/span>\u00a0even explained from scratch as the drop-in was very much a 1-1 experience! <\/span>Waleed went systematically through each topic ensuring that I understood every step of both the basic concepts and the complex derivations. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We went through the content I needed to understand for application in my coursework in the space of one hour with plenty of questions along the way. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, it was extremely helpful to see these mathematics concepts illustrated visually instead of just the final equations given in the maths module. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Increased<\/span><\/b> confidence\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most valuable part of the experience was that I was able to leave the drop-in with a deeper understanding of the material and a clear path to applying the concepts to my coursework. <\/span><\/p>\n

With the MASH tutor\u2019s explanation, I was even confident to teach the concepts I had learned to my course mates! <\/span><\/p>\n

Staff and tutors at MASH are so eager to help and were extremely patient with the countless questions I had, helping me to understand the concepts in their entirety and allowing me to troubleshoot the applications. I even returned for two more sessions in the following weeks to iron out final doubts. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n

Overall, I had an amazing experience at MASH, and I greatly recommend anyone having difficulties understanding a mathematical or statistical concept to attend a MASH drop-in. <\/span><\/p>\n

It can be intimidating to ask questions, but MASH is a fantastic place to get explanations and answers in a supportive environment with knowledgeable tutors. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to maximise your understanding and marks in your maths modules, drop-in to MASH at the Skills Zone<\/a> every Monday through Friday 12:15-2:05 pm at 6 East 2.8. <\/span><\/p>\n

Have you got a comment or question about MASH drop-ins? Please leave a comment!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi, my name is Claudia, I'm in my third year of a chemical engineering integrated master's, and here's how a Mathematics Resources Centre (MASH) drop-in helped me gain a deeper understanding of the mathematics used in my course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1517,"featured_media":758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[62,103],"tags":[189,187,130,171,188],"class_list":["post-757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maths-and-statistics","category-student-skills-ambassador","tag-coursework","tag-help","tag-mash","tag-maths","tag-stuck"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/84\/2022\/02\/getting-unstuck-scaled.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1009,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/academic-and-employability-skills\/2025\/09\/29\/planning-to-succeed-getting-the-most-out-of-visiting-a-mash-drop-in\/","url_meta":{"origin":757,"position":0},"title":"Planning to succeed - Getting the most out of visiting a MASH drop-in","author":"Ed Southwood","date":"September 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many students love the fact that the MASH drop-in doesn't require too much preparation and you can just 'drop-in' if you are free. 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