One-on-One Calculus

From the start, I planned to finish AP Calculus AB and BC just for the sake of doing lots of math. Because I was struggling to learn from Apex, I switched to learning one-on-one with my tutor. After choosing an AP syllabus and getting AP certified, my tutor and I settled into a rhythm and haven’t changed since. We work out of two textbooks: the Stewart textbook that pretty much every single calculus student uses and the Princeton AP review book. Three times a week we meet and cover a couple sections of the syllabus. He teaches the lesson on some lined paper that I can stick into my notebook, we work on as many or as few questions as needed to understand the material, then he gives me homework on the material. At the end of every section or so, he creates a test for me. In my opinion, the tests are freaking hard, but I guess I can’t really know without another classmate taking the tests. 

The success of this format does depend on the teacher. I feel lucky to have found a great teacher. The type that is a proper mix of teaching and geeking out about kooky mathematicians and unsolved problems. He teaches math by showing how to arrive at accepted theorems and telling me to question everything.  

Additionally, I get to control the pace. Some sections we speed through in no time and some we have to take a longer time than expected. This ability represents one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling. Every student learns things differently, and this format allows a student to most throughly and efficiently learn material.