Many students dread calculus because they think it’s a subject that is hard to learn and understand. In reality, the main struggles of most students are not with calculus itself, but their lack of understanding with foundational trigonometry and algebra concepts that are commonly applied to calculus.

This is the main reason why it is essential to review past math classes and notes to truly understand the foundational maths concepts that you’re required to know before you take on calculus.

In this article, we’re going to simplify calculus. Get ready to discuss key concepts from trigonometry and algebra, as well as definitions and symbols you must understand.

• Know the definitions

Knowing the different terms and their definitions is essential in calculus since you will be learning things called derivatives, limits, integrals, and other terms that have a conceptual definition. Therefore, you need to understand that one problem can be phrased in various ways. Knowing definitions is essential to your correct interpretation of problems and subsequently, your reasoning and understanding.

• Taking one step at a time

Calculus concepts are taught in a very specific order. We start with limits, derivatives, integrals, series, higher dimensions, and progress to more advanced concepts. The reason for this is that all concepts are grouped together like a ladder, so everything you learn will be based on a previous topic.

It’s recommended that you don’t breeze on a particular topic like limits since it’s the foundation of calculus and everything else will depend on it. You will need to understand the conceptual meaning behind a limit to fully understand next concept.

• Know the symbols

Calculus is full of arrows, S’s, and Greek letters- it’s like you’re reading a foreign language! That is why you’ll need to know all the symbols to properly solve a problem. If you can’t determine their meanings, then will not understand what the problems are asking. No Matter how naturally gifted you are in maths, it s impossible to work through problems if you do not know the symbols or terminology used.
After learning the symbols, you should also know when to use them. Therefore, it’s essential to know all the small details, or you’ll end up getting more confused.

• Start Thinking in 3D

Calculus is considered a journey into the world of three dimensions, so you’ll need to expand everything, and visualising will be your key to solve problems. Although you don’t need to be an artist to succeed, you are required to draw various 3D figures.

• Learn the rules

Like in any other subject in school, mathematics is bounded by rules and you need to follow them to be successful in this subject. One good example is the chain rule, product rule, the quotient rule, u-substitution, and integration by parts. If you don’t know these rules, then you will be limited in your ability to solve problems in calculus.

Overall, practice is the key to your success so solve a lot of problems everyday or as much as you can. Don’t give up, it will become easier once you get the hang of it. Most importantly, do all your homework following what your teacher has covered before the following lesson commences. If you need a tutor to help with your understanding and confidence, find out about their rates.

Holidays are the best time to refocus and recharge, but it’s also an ideal time to get your head around the curriculum. Studying over the holiday break will provide you an opportunity to get a head start when classes begins, so you won’t feel completely lost in class.

This is also essential for Year 12 since you’ll be shifting to higher education, and teachers will expect you to be more independent, so setting a study routine during the holiday will better prepare you for the Victorian Certificate of Education or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning.

Here are some tips to consider when you’re setting your study routine during the holiday break:

• Set an ideal time to study per day

It’s best to set aside at least 3 to 5 hours a day to study, so you establish your rhythm. The important thing is that you’ve allotted enough time to for studying so it becomes the centrepiece of your day.

• Use a planner in outlining your daily goals

Setting goals is important in any type of endeavour, so we recommend that you list your daily, weekly, and monthly goals. This is best done in a planner where you can outline all your activities and the timeframe required for each task. Accomplishing goals will also motivate you to study and to stick with your daily study routine.

• Dedicate enough time to all your subjects

As you set your study routine, you will also need to divide your time between your subjects. This means you need to devote enough time to all your subjects so that you can cover all of the relevant content. Some subjects may require more study time if you find them especially challenging but be sure not to neglect others. It is particularly important to study for English, as it is considered as a prerequisite to pass your VCE and to enter most courses.

• Create an accountability group

We all know that there are many distractions during holiday breaks so it’s best to get someone to check on you once in a while. We recommend you create an accountability group or join a study group since they will surely remind you when you get together for your study session.

• Exercise daily

To keep your mind healthy, you will need to maintain a healthy body. Daily exercises will not only diversify your activities, but It will also provide you the endurance you need throughout the holiday break.

• Eat a balanced diet

Like exercising daily, you will also need a balanced diet to stay healthy. Therefore, eating nutritious food is essential to get the daily boost you need to continue with your work.

Lastly, don’t forget to spend time every day doing something you enjoy, like going out with your friends and family. It’s a holiday break, after all, so its’ best to relax and not get burnout, while also prioritising your studies.
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Overall, it is essential to establish a solid study routine, so you make the most of your holiday break and give yourself a better chance of achieving high marks during the coming assessment period. If you are becoming overwhelmed, it's best to seek help from a qualified tutor. Find our about the cost of tutors here.

How Much Do Tutors Cost? 
A private tutor is someone who believes they have expertise to teach a specific subject, and they offer their services to students who need academic help. Tutors are usually professors, industry professionals, undergraduate students and teachers who have robust experience in a particular subject area. Therefore, private tutoring rates will vary depending on the location, experience of the tutor, and frequency of the tuition sessions.

However, the tutoring industry is currently unregulated, so anyone can claim they are a tutor even if they don’t have the required expertise and qualification to teach a particular subject like maths and science. In fact, unqualified, unaccredited, and tutors with no experience often charge very low. Some of these tutors are still students who achieved high grades in a particular subject, but this doesn’t mean that they have the capability to guide your child to academic success.

Breakdown of cost depending on the type of tutor:

• Unqualified and inexperienced tutors

These tutors have no experience or aspirations within education, and they usually charge $20 up to $50 per hour. Usually, these are undergrad students who achieved high grades in a specific subject like maths, and they are confident enough to teach the same subject to other students. However, often this persons high grades have a lot to do with a strong natural ability in maths. Therefore, they struggle to break concepts down for struggling students. They also have their preferred algorithms, which they are confident with, but cannot offer alternative algorithms for students to use. We do not recommend that you hire an unqualified and inexperienced tutor because they lack the needed training and knowledge to teach your child.

• Education undergraduates

These budding teachers are not yet qualified to teach, but they have the teaching experience and aspirations to become full-time teachers. In fact, these education student tutors are passionate about teaching, and they have a good understanding of the curriculum. Most importantly, they are currently learning and practising various teaching methods that are explicitly intended to assist students, and they hold a working with children check. They will often charge from $50 to $70 per session.

• Qualified and experienced teacher

These tutors are qualified teachers, and they specialise in the subject area needed by your child. They have years of experience teaching in various private and public schools, which gives them the knowledge and expertise to guide your child in their respective subject in the most effective way possible. So, if you’re looking for an ideal tutor for your child, then you may want to consider hiring a qualified teacher. In most cases, they charge between $70 to $100 per hour.

• Specialist teacher

This group of tutors are also qualified and experienced teachers with a VIT accreditation, but they have an additional qualification in the area of need. For example, a specialist teacher might be trained and qualified to work with children with special needs. These tutors will most likely charge more so you can expect to pay between $90 to $120 per hour.
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As parents, we should provide our children with an ideal tutor that can help them achieve their academic goals. That is why we urge you to ensure the credibility and qualifications of a potential tutor before you make the final decision. Additionally, be wary of cheap tutors since they may not be the right tutor for your child. It’s best to spend a little more as long as you get the value for your hard-earned money.

If you are looking for one of Melbourne's top Maths Tutors, expect to pay $66 for an undergraduate and $88 for a fully qualified teacher through maths tutors Melbourne.