I ask "At what stage during an undergrad degree should a student move beyond just 'doing' the equations?" because I am taking some Year 1 maths papers in 2015. I am worried I won't be able to actually see the deeper meaning and reasoning behind the equations. I may be able to plug numbers into the formula and remember the procedures to follow, but I feel this is different to really knowing what is going on and why.
I asked a 3rd year student and he said during years 1 and 2 that I shouldn't get too worried about the deeper meaning, rather the teachers/lecturers are wanting to see that I can do the work and arrive at the correct answer.
Is anyone able to shed some light on this and how they see it, or share their experiences?
I am not fresh out of high school, rather an adult trying to get an education later in life.
thanks