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Post by Tyfo on Oct 6, 2008 0:06:42 GMT -5
I just dropped my math class.
For those of you who were in the college starting thread a few months ago, I posted about how I was entering the 3rd of 3 remedial math classes that I had to take before I could take an actual math class for credit, due to my low math scores on the test I had to take when I started school a few years ago.
Well, a month and a half or so in, a 37 on my first test, and 5 or 6 epically failed quizzes later, I tapped out, if you will. I just didn't understand anything at all that we were doing and the test I did take, I ended up mostly just writing random numbers and formulas because I just couldn't do it.
I've struggled greatly at math since the 5th grade, and it looks like it may finally finish me off after years and years of picking away at me. I'm strongly considering giving up the quest for a degree. Pretty much everything requires at least one math credit, and I can't even get through the re medials. The only reason I passed the first two was because we had multiple choice tests and I could usually work some problems to the point that I could narrow down the answer choices to two or three and then pick.
I have so many credits, I've had WAY more then needed for an Associates for a long time, but without math, it doesn't matter. It seems so crappy to have done all that work and end up with nothing to show for it. But that looks like whats going to happen, because I just can't get through the math that would be required. It would take me around 4-5 hours every other day to do the online homework, which would be 25-30 problems max, and I would still usually get frustrated after so long and just start entering crap just to finish.
What I want to know, is there ANY way around a math credit. I want a degree so bad, and nothing I want to do involves math. It's just so ridiculous that something I don't need whatsoever can put me in this situation. What are the options around it, if there are any? I really don't want to give up, if nothing more then for my pride. What can I do?
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Post by kretchpoof on Oct 6, 2008 1:12:15 GMT -5
Is there free tutoring you can get through your college? Look into it. In high school, I wasn't "getting" algebra, then my sister sat down and worked through some problems, and now I'm like a freakin' genius at algebra. The point is, you need some one-on-one time with a good teacher, and it'll click.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Oct 6, 2008 1:17:07 GMT -5
For some reason, reading xkcd a lot made me "get" math better, probably since it put a humorous spin on it that made me have more interest in it.
Of course, I'm not exactly normal with this stuff.
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Post by ani on Oct 6, 2008 6:49:45 GMT -5
It would help if you could prove you had a learning disability Not sure if even that would work. I have a learning disability and failed the math portion of my math test at a junior college. I transferred and I'm still required to take 1 math class. I'm sorry to hear that tyfo. I wish I could help. |
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Post by teamjd on Oct 6, 2008 6:53:25 GMT -5
That sucks dude, but I fully understand your pain as I have 7 or so more credits then I need for my AA but can't pass math either  I took this class 3(!) times and could never get over a D, and now when I take it again I have to pay out of state wages, which means the cost goes from about $200 to $700 for the class  I'm thinking of just taking it online somewhere and paying off someone to do it for me, because jesus I'm just not getting it and its costing me a fortune.  |
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Post by Richard on Oct 6, 2008 11:18:29 GMT -5
You might try looking into a CLEP test for math if your college will take it. Its anywhere from $60 to $95, they give you a study guide of everything on the test and if you pass (just a 70) then you are done with math (and they have it for other subjects as well) for good.
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Post by Dangery Scubba on Oct 6, 2008 11:29:41 GMT -5
I know how it is, man. Went through it in high school and college. Got an A in Algebra I, then failed every math class after that.
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Post by The Tank on Oct 6, 2008 11:33:28 GMT -5
Well, considering that I'm required by law to make fun of everything you do...
LOLZ YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!
...oh, s***! Wrong Mod! I'm thinking of Latino Meat!!
Sorry, tyfo, that sucks. I'm doin' pretty bad in college math right now, too. We just had a test today, and I know I bombed it.
So, if it makes you feel any better, you're not alone.
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Dave at the Movies
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Post by Dave at the Movies on Oct 6, 2008 11:44:37 GMT -5
You might try looking into a CLEP test for math if your college will take it. Its anywhere from $60 to $95, they give you a study guide of everything on the test and if you pass (just a 70) then you are done with math (and they have it for other subjects as well) for good. Most places won't let you quiz out of match anymore. That use to be what most people did but most place just won't allow it anymore. I totally understand what your going through Tyfo. I also just dropped my math class. I also understand about the first intermediate. All the tests I took in that like you were also multiple choice and I easily got a B in the class. After that though I have tried to take the next class three times now and have dropped it every time. This has pretty much made me forget about ever getting a degree which really isn't that bad of news because I think if I can become successful without one it will be all the more sweeter because it will mean I had worked really hard to do it since I don't have a degree. Really all the things I want to go into I don't need a degree if you think about it. I want a regular job with a radio station and I know that going through college won't really help me earn anymore. It might help me get promoted some day but in most cases if your good your good and if your not your not and it doesn't matter if you have a degree. Most radio places actually look down on it because a lot of people in radio don't have a degree. I also want to be a writer of fictional novels. I have taken a big interest in reading a ton of fiction books to help me with that. The key to being a good writer is reading a lot and I don't currently read as much as I do but that is all going to change now that I know I won't get through college. |
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Magician under the moonlight
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Post by Magician under the moonlight on Oct 6, 2008 12:44:08 GMT -5
I'm pretty much the best mathematician on this board so maybe I can help up to Cal I and II. Maybe some linear. Math has always been my strong point.
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Mac
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Post by Mac on Oct 6, 2008 12:47:09 GMT -5
My whole life I aced everything but math-related classes. I studied and studied and studied, sought extra help, stayed after to work with teachers. I kept getting passed with a D- because the teachers saw I was at least putting in the effort. Im with ya.
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Magician under the moonlight
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Always Beaten To The Punchline. Always.
A magician and a thief. That's Badass
Posts: 15,727
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Post by Magician under the moonlight on Oct 6, 2008 12:52:18 GMT -5
I still do not understan why people struggle with math though?
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Post by Dangery Scubba on Oct 6, 2008 13:16:24 GMT -5
I still do not understan why people struggle with math though? I can't speak for everyone, but my problem seemed to be with teaching styles. When I Aced Algebra I, the teacher made it completely interactive. He let us take math terms that were unknown to us and substitute them our own words. He would show us a problem on the overhead and call on each of us to do a step in the problem. If one of us messed up he would literally be right across from us to help. And I think the biggest change that worked was that we didn't use textbooks. I think the reason that helped so much was because we didn't have read through complicated instructions on how to get the correct answer and be even more confused. He would walk us through step by step without having to talk in math jargon. |
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Post by Richard on Oct 6, 2008 13:32:48 GMT -5
You might try looking into a CLEP test for math if your college will take it. Its anywhere from $60 to $95, they give you a study guide of everything on the test and if you pass (just a 70) then you are done with math (and they have it for other subjects as well) for good. Most places won't let you quiz out of math anymore. That use to be what most people did but most place just won't allow it anymore. . Man, am I glad mine still does. I have taken the entry level math 3 times (each at different schools) and am very sick of it. |
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Dave at the Movies
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VINTAGE D-DAY DAVE! Always cranking dat thing.
Posts: 18,228
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Post by Dave at the Movies on Oct 6, 2008 14:50:27 GMT -5
I still do not understan why people struggle with math though? Most likely because it is a very structured puzzle unlike the other school subjects such as English or History. In those classes you can give your own opinion(which is now a big part of college) but in math it is always the same and just keeps building upon itself. for some people math just comes naturally to them. I think it has a lot to do with how you think. I believe there is a form of dyslexia associated with math that has not been discovered yet because more people like and are good at reading which is why they have found the reading form of dyslexia. I don't think as many people are interested in math to find the dyslexia for it and I bet the majority has it. |
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