Maths matters: maths help for students

If you’re hearing the words “Pythagoras”, “algebra” and “calculus” around campus, there could be a mathematics assessment coming up.

Whether studying engineering, accounting or nursing, students may need assistance when preparing for exams to ensure they have the best grasp possible on the maths or statistics they need to use in their industry. The University’s Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH) is here to help!

The MESH team provides both face-to-face and online help with maths and statistics to UWS students – and it’s free! Whether they need to brush up on basic maths skills, practice calculations or gain statistical skills relevant to their industry, students can build confidence by joining in the activities and using the resources provided by MESH.

Students have found the various services provided by the MESH team very helpful. “I would highly recommend this service to other students, as they provided me with additional support to help understand course material better,” says Jennifer Barber, a first-year Bachelor of Science student who has attended a number of workshops and received help at the Library in preparation for exams. “They explained and demonstrated how to work questions, so I learnt how to do it rather than just being given the answer. It was reassuring to know I could always get help in the Library when I was stuck.”

If you’re working with students in mathematics-related degrees or courses, the MESH webpage (opens in a new window) is a great place to point them to for resources.

The MESH website hosts information about events, workshops and programs, as well as resources, including two vUWS websites: the Improve your Maths site is relevant to students from a range of disciplines while the Numeracy for Nurses site includes information and resources specific to the nursing degree.

Throughout the year, MESH events, workshops and programs are developed and delivered to students across campuses. Some workshops are unit-specific and timed to be run before key assessments – these can be particularly popular. “I found all the workshops useful,” says Jennifer. “They assisted me with brushing up on my maths skills in preparation for my maths units and the Maths 1A final exam preparation workshop provided examples of how to work out questions from previous exam papers. I feel I was better prepared for the exam.”

In Spring session 2013, MESH introduced a new online presence called “I Don’t Get It”, which is available to students enrolled in Mathematics courses. Throughout the year, I Don’t Get It broadcasts webinars, which include presentations and Q&A sessions in real-time – there will be unit-specific webinars and others on the general skills needed for learning and studying maths.

Face-to-face help is provided by the roving MESH team, which makes the rounds of UWS Libraries. Students can check the Events, Workshops and Programs section of the MESH webpage (opens in a new window) to find out when the MESH team will be at their Library, and then look out for staff wearing bright orange MESH T-shirts.

To view the full suite of resources available, visit the MESH webpage (opens in a new window). To keep up to date on upcoming MESH activities, join the MESH Facebook group (opens in a new window).