why does this happen every term

I just spent about an hour staring at math homework and trying to figure out how I was supposed to solve a particular problem. After a while I gave up because staring at it, and rewriting it every way I could think of, wasn't actually helping me learn anything. As usual, I'm close to tears as a result. (I'll probably be fine, once I talk to the professor tomorrow before class. I hope.)

The real problem is that this class shouldn't be taught over a five week term. Period.

( Specifics, if you happen to know Discrete Math )

*sigh* At least the bit of number theory that we're studying makes more sense than this.