The textbook is enormous. Any suggestions on targeting my assigned readings?
I’d suggest looking at the assigned reading (from the online Schedule) and compare what you read with the lecture slides for chapter 1, which might make the material clearer or explain it in a slightly different way. When reading, because the text is so voluminous, I typically recommend a targeted approach… perhaps reading some, skimming some, and even skipping some. The lectures emphasize the “most important” parts of the text, so starting with what is there can be useful in guiding how much attention you pay to various parts of the text. For most mortals (myself included), there is so much material that it is physically very difficult, or impossible, to read it all in one semester while also taking care of other assignments in the course (and in your other courses). The textbook actually has 2 or 3 complete semesters worth of material in it… so feeling overwhelmed by it at first is quite normal!
