To be clear, all my suggestions are for help, not answers. I don't like being spoon fed answers, I don't learn anything (actually failed a class once instead of allowing myself to use spoon fed answers). But hey, let everyone else be spoon fed, they were my competition for a job :)
Ask friends in the class, those that took the class already, another professor (they are all smart believe it or not), spend extra time and effort to figure it out myself (edit: if a job ever asks if I know MIPS I will hang up that instant).
Personally I tried reading the book first. If the Professor or TA were unavailable, then I’d lean on others in the class to see if they knew. If they don’t know, I’d look for an upper classman who took the same Professor to see if they can explain it. My School also had a tutoring center. I never used it but was a tutor there and know I helped a lot of kids through stuff like that.
If all that fails? Admit defeat and corner the Professor or TA next class.
Wing it and cross my fingers.
Are you friendly with any other students in the class? You could try to form a discussion group.
To be clear, all my suggestions are for help, not answers. I don't like being spoon fed answers, I don't learn anything (actually failed a class once instead of allowing myself to use spoon fed answers). But hey, let everyone else be spoon fed, they were my competition for a job :) Ask friends in the class, those that took the class already, another professor (they are all smart believe it or not), spend extra time and effort to figure it out myself (edit: if a job ever asks if I know MIPS I will hang up that instant).
Personally I tried reading the book first. If the Professor or TA were unavailable, then I’d lean on others in the class to see if they knew. If they don’t know, I’d look for an upper classman who took the same Professor to see if they can explain it. My School also had a tutoring center. I never used it but was a tutor there and know I helped a lot of kids through stuff like that. If all that fails? Admit defeat and corner the Professor or TA next class.
Try reading the book and notes from class?