<p>I'm at a top-tier prep school right now and I'm a sophomore. My grades are good, my vocabulary is excellent, and my writing skills aren't half bad. What's the problem? It's math. Probably to your surprise math is my strongest subject...so what's the problem? I'm in geometry this year. </p>
<p>Most of the kids in my class are a year ahead in ALGIIT so that they'll graduate with calculus I. I - on the other hand - will graduate with precalculus. I really didn't think this was a big deal, but I'm constantly unjustly put aside as the dumb kid. The event that threw me over the edge today was at lunch. I was having an enjoyable meal during a beautiful day outside when a guy at the table started talking about his intellect (egotistical). I told him to cut it out and he said, "...Says the kid who's in geometry." He then motions to his freshman friend and says, "Hey, did you know that he's only in geometry; he didn't take comp-sci last year because he didn't have the math requirements." He said it as if I was an alien- unworthy of communicating with such beings. It really hurt me. But obviously, you're not here to be my therapist. </p>
<p>The real question: Will my life be halted from success because of this one year of math? Or are all the insecure teenagers hyperbolizing this and I'll be fine? At the moment I'm just going to stay motivated and deal with the teasing...but is there light at the end of the tunnel?</p>
<p>No, not being a year ahead in math will literally do nothing to you. It won’t keep you out of your top school or from having a life or being successful. It’s just high school. Don’t take teasing to heart. High school (sometimes middle school) is when kids really start to be really mean. Ignore them, they have to drag you down because their lives are so little and unimportant that they can’t feel good in any other way.
Keep your head up and be proud (:</p>
<p>(P.S. I know a ton of really smart kids that only graduated with precalc and they all did fine)</p>
<p>Absolutely not. I have a good friend who is going to Princeton and only took precalc his senior year. The math you take in high school is a trivial matter</p>
<p>It’s so nice to hear you say that. And believe it or not, that’s exactly what I say: That it’s trivial. He just think that when an admissions officer sees precalc they throw the application to the side; it’s nice to hear that isn’t true. I guess if I can just learn how to deal with difficult people this year won’t be so bad.</p>
<p>Ask if you can take the Algebra II/ Trig course online (which should be no trouble) and then you’ll be eligible for pre-calc like your class mates next year. But don’t just do it for social reasons. It’s always good to have Calculus done before college.</p>
<p>I’m in the same exact situation!!! I was thinking of doing algebra 2 online but after reading some of these comments, I might not…I was only going to do it so that it would look better on my college apps but, It might be hard to teach myself math especially since it’s not my best subject.</p>
<p>Your school seems like a pretty bad place, no offense. If I were you I would make sure you pick your friends wisely. Also, if you have the time try and do college level calculus on the side. Trust me on this, I wasn’t great at algebra and all that (mostly due to negligence) but I’m getting A+'s in calculus. So if you think you can do it, try your hardest, especially if this is causing you so much pain. Imagine how you’ll feel when everyone else is taking HS calculus and you’re breezing through college level calculus. Even if nobody else knows, inside you’ll be reassured and I think you’ll become a more confident person. </p>
<p>Hahaha. I’m not trying to sound conceded (I am in Geometry this year :p), but I am trying to be factual. With AP CHEM, CompSci, EngIV, V, World Civ, US Hist, and Economics on the rise, should I be concerned? I’m guessing the answer is no. I’m not smart enough for the Ivy League, obviously, but I want to know if this one year of math will impede on my success? </p>
<p>You seem very bright; I’m sure you could be able to do calculus. But if you don’t, tough. You’re going to, in your words, a top-tier prep school, which offers much more of a challenge than my drop-out center high school does. Colleges will probably see that–your geometry class right now is probably much, much, much more difficult than my geometry class was. By the way you worded your post, I’m guessing you’re a much more eloquent person than I am (or ever will be).</p>
<p>If you’re doing fine in your class, then I don’t see the problem. However, I’d suggest that you pick your friends a little more wisely. Tell them that you’re not the dumb kid. It sounds way too cheesy, but stand up for yourself. As you said, this is a competitive school. It’s not going to get any easier when everyone wants a top spot.</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Although the definitive answer is somewhat ambiguous, I think I’ll go without it. It is advanced geometry and soon will be advanced ALGT, etc.</p>