@raclut may I ask, is your son/daughter a mathematical genius or did he/she have to get help from the tutor/professor? I know you have to be good at math to do anything in STEM but I ask this question to see If you have to be perfect or naturally good at math to do it. What kind of Engineering and what school? Did your son/daughter take AP Calculus, Chemsitry, Physics Biology, and/or statistics in high school? I’m still in Intermediate algebra because the highest math I took in high school was Geometry my sophomore year, then I was in algebra 2 for a short time my junior year but left school due to moving several times in one year, and then when I went back and just finished school as a senior but my guidance counselor didn’t put me in a math class because she didn’t think I needed one because I had all math requirements, I had a special ed guidance counselor which they usually don’t think about putting students in classes that match there career goals, and only care about getting students out of high school and graduating. If I stayed on track I would of already taken pre-calculus or maybe calculus by the time I graduate and be ready for college. If I would of been able to take algebra 2 in high school, I could of been ready for college algebra and Triginometry or Pre-Calculus and only be one semester behind for starting a STEM major.
AP classes were not offered at our high school but she did complete the IB Diploma program. Her disadvantage was that she had never had taken a programming class whereas other kids in class had some experience. She started out with Calculus I and had to take a number of advanced math classes. She had to take a placement test in orientation to place into calculus 1. If she had not passed it she couldn’t register for the first year engineering class requirements.
I won’t say math is easy for her. She has to work really hard in all her classes. When needed she goes to office hours or meets with study groups formed in her classes. The classmates try to help each other whenever they don’t understand something. We all have strengths and weaknesses. She had gotten some “C’s” her first year but then she figured out how to study and now does really well in her classes. She attends a state school not too far from home but plans to apply to medical school once she graduates after working for a year. I never imagined her to be the engineering type but she loves her classes and has really good teachers so things worked out in the end for her.
Hopefully things will work out for you too. I am giving you the same advice I gave her. Take it one semester at a time.
Don’t be afraid to go to your teachers for help when needed.
I’ve read over 60% of the book called how to become A straight-A student now and will read the rest before I start school Tuesday.
I know a guy who started out in Remedial Math at Community college and failed one course before the calculus course, took a break from school, then came back and did better, has a Geology degree, and is now teaching. I also know a guy who failed a remedial math course due to working so much he had to miss class, retook it, then got a C in Triginometry due to health issues, then did mostly well in the calculus classes, and is now at a university working on his STEM degeee.
Geology or anything in STEM is still possible but you gotta work hard and apply yourself, go to tutoring when needed, Spend atleast an hour everyday doing math problems, and find ways to minimize your test anxiety. I wish the best and good luck on your studies!
I’m doing well this semester In my classes so far.