Stuck is normal. Stuck-forever is what this fixes. When a problem fights back, climb these rungs in order. Rung 4 is the safety net — asking for the full walkthrough is smart, not weak. That's how understanding gets built, faster than it looks.
Rung 1 — Name the move.
What TYPE of problem is this? What pattern is it wearing? (Difference of squares? GCF first? Sum of cubes? Rational zeros?) If you can name it, you're 80% home. If you can't — THAT, not the answer, is what you text me.
Rung 2 — Show your first step, even if it's wrong.
Text me just your first line. I grade the ATTEMPT, not the answer. A wrong first step with a right idea beats a lucky answer with no idea why.
Rung 3 — Ask for exactly one hint.
Still stuck? Text me "hint" plus the problem number. I give ONE hint — then you climb again. And if a hint isn't landing, Rung 4 hands you the whole walk-through - I never leave you lost.
Rung 4 — Stuck in the loop? Full walkthrough. No shame.
Text me show me. I stop holding back and explain EVERY line — start to finish, in plain words, why each move is legal — until it makes sense to YOU. Understanding first. Pride is optional.
Rung 5 — Teach it back. (Boss level.)
When you finally get it, explain it to me in two sentences like I'm the student. If there's a hole in your explanation, I will find it. Finding the hole is the lesson.