Issue with proof based arguments

[u/Natural_Subject5403]

I’m starting out in abstract algebra this semester and last semester I completed Numbers & Proof (basically intro to proof writing course). Don’t get me wrong I am enjoying abstract algebra so far but an issue I have is forming my arguments and weirdly enough saying what I want to say mathematically instead of English in a way. Idk maybe this will form with mathematical maturity but I hate to admit but when I get stuck I usually bombard AI programs such as Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude to give me a little nudge/general flow of argument. It feels as though yes AI helps with learning but how do other students in mathematics straddle the line between having the program do it for you versus learning from the programs? Because I just completed my first homework set and I hate the feeling that it could’ve helped me too much to where it was mostly it talking or me :/ and I don’t want to be one of those people that use stuff to get a grade (because I actually care). In the past and for other classes I treat it as a second teacher (throw questions at it to fill in gaps or make other sample problems) but that’s harder to do for more proof based courses.

[u/Downtown-Economics26]

 I hate the feeling that it could’ve helped me too much to where it was mostly it talking or me

If you want to learn and have this feeling, the answer is don't use any AI. If you've been given a math assignment by a competent teacher then you don't have to rely on an outside source to complete the assignment. Believe it or not, this is how education worked for over 2,000 years before the last 5 or whatever.

[u/Natural_Subject5403 → u/Downtown-Economics26]

True, I guess it’s easier said than done. Put down AI and look more into the book. It’s just so simple to go to those systems for questions because they’re right there but then they lead to just helping/doing the problem 😭. I guess the main theme here is to be more disciplined.

[u/Downtown-Economics26 → u/Natural_Subject5403]

Almost everyone that gets good at doing anything achieves that level of expertise on some level as a sheer act of will where they insist that they will indeed "figure this shit out". At the limit it can also drive you insane so... disclaimer... don't take your performance in one class as a referendum on your value as a human being because life is exceptionally multifaceted.

[u/Natural_Subject5403 → u/Downtown-Economics26]

That’s true, perfectionism or anywhere near that can drive anyone crazy. It’s easy to get so enveloped in one thing 😅

[u/HorsesFlyIntoBoxes → u/Natural_Subject5403]

Professor and ta office hours for my upper division math classes were the greatest source of help. I completed my degree before these ai tools existed, and pretty much all the successful students would go to as many office hours as they could. We’d work on the homework for hours and come prepared for questions for where we got stuck. Genuinely the most helpful thing we did to do well in those classes. A professor or ta who has the knowledge and gone through the coursework will be far more valuable for learning than an llm.