TITLE: How to get more creative in Calculus
QUESTION [18 upvotes]: I'm currently doing Calculus I (one variable and some max- min problems with two variables as well), and I can follow most proofs and understand most of all chapters in the book. It seems tough that when solving problems you really need to be creative, and it is this creativity that I lack at the moment. For instance, limits is of course a good example where it is not enough with just knowing the theory but you also need to be creative to find a solution. It seems like I have to manipulate expressions all the time before actually solving problems (now I'm speaking of calculation problems, not "show that.." problems). 
Is it just me or is there some "creative structure" I can follow when solving Calculus problems? There are so many different things to have in mind, and it feels like this course is almost going more on to memorizing formulas rather than actually understand them, which is frustrating.
It just seems that knowing the theory really good is not just enough?

REPLY [3 votes]: I wholeheartedly agree with what has been said above.  My calculus professor in college said that Cal 1 is 10% calculus, and 90% algebra.  It always felt like we applied a little calculus somewhere and a whole lot of algebra to solve the problem, so my tip for Cal 1 would be to make sure your algebra skills are tip top so you can easily spot trig substitutions, polynomial factors, etc., since as you say you have to manipulate the expression (algebra) before you actually solve it (most likely with some quick calculus theorem).
I would make the same recommendation for Cal 2 depending upon your curriculum, only substitute algebra for derivatives: being a derivatives ninja should make Cal 2 much easier.