<p>I'm a sophomore at a community college looking to transfer to a university (in California) in the Fall of 2011. So, one more year here. By the time I transfer, I must complete Calc1-3 and Differential Equations/Linear Algebra (one class). So 4 math classes total. As a student in pursuit of a math degree, I'd like to take my time to fully and thoroughly understand the concepts of these lower division math courses but it seems as if I'm not consuming the same amount of information in the summer course as I would in the fall course.</p>
<p>I'm taking Calculus 2 right now in the summer and the course is moving very very fast! I understand that this is the nature of summer classes but I'm starting to believe that math in the summer is a very bad idea and that it is almost impossible to achieve an "A". The course outline consists of 3 hour lectures monday through thursday and then a TEST the next monday! It's the second day of the course and we already have a test on monday.</p>
<p>The material is NOT difficult for me, I just don't feel like I'm truly letting the concepts soak in as we are expected to learn a section a day, sometimes two sections. I feel like I'm just working towards getting the answers to the specific problems that the teacher assigns us. Our teacher recommends FIVE HOURS of at home study/homework time, which to me is comically absurd for a lower division course of any type. I DO ENJOY MATH but not to this extent. In addition, I have another class (internet class); Psychology that is failrly easy although it requires me be on the internet for almost 3 hours 3 times a week. I'm a very slow reader and this internet class also requires me to read about a chapter a day. I do NOT have a job but I am trying to get back into sprinting shape for track season. I NEED AN "A" IN MATH in order for me to get accepted into a good university! The teacher isn't a very good teacher, he's sort of sloppy and goes very fast. </p>
<p>I'm going through this dilemma of dropping the course. The last day to drop without a "W" is July 1st so if I'm going to drop I'd like to do so before then. Otherwise I could drop with WITH a "W" on July 26th. The "W" won't really hurt me considering I only have one from last year and I don't think colleges care. HOWEVER, THE CONSEQUENCES of dropping this course would consist of a shift in my 2010-2011 schedule. Meaning that I'd have to take Calc2 in the Fall, and Calc3 in the spring ALONG WITH Differentials/Linear in the sping also! (I took precalc in my first semester) Is it worth it to drop it?</p>
<p>I can’t properly answer your question since I am an incoming freshman to Berkeley, but I met a junior who is a math major and he told me that the upper division courses in Math (the courses you will be taking if you pursue a math degree and if you get to Berkeley) are significantly harder (not for all, but for a large majority) than the lower division courses. </p>
<p>You will eventually be taking 2 or even 3 math classes / semester (You have Math 55, a discrete math course + 8 upper div courses over 4 semesters assuming you don’t take summer classes), which is probably even more time consuming than 1 math class over the summer.</p>
<p>As for dropping the course, the decision is entirely up to you. I would guess that taking Differential Equations + Linear Algebra in one semester is harder than taking Calculus 2 over the summer.</p>
<p>No no Differentials/Linear is ONE course. So I would have to take that and Calc3 in one semester. As well as 2 other general ed courses.</p>
<p>Oh, I see. Still, Calc 3 + Diff Eqs/Linear Algebra is probably harder than Calc 2 in the summer.</p>
<p>idk dude… i mean in a normal semester i’ll have 3x as much time as in the summer semester… (6weeks vs. 18weeks)</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I’ll only be a freshman at Cal this fall so take my thoughts with a grain of salt</p>
<p>I’m taking calc 2 at a community college this summer too. Took calc 1 last summer at the same place. For me, the class is 8 weeks long with tests every 2 weeks and quizzes every other day. Lectures are 2 and a half hours long each day</p>
<p>I know that many other community colleges have the six week, 3 hour format (fullerton college, for example) but it shouldn’t be that big of a difference</p>
<p>Anyways, my professor also recommends 5 hours of studying each day, which is complete BS because it’s the summer and there’s no way I’m sacrificing that much time. So instead, I spend like two hours a day doing homework and studying, which is enough for me to absorb the information. I did the same thing last summer and ended up with an A+ and felt like I understood calculus pretty well</p>
<p>In all honestly, I think if you’re going to be coming to Berkeley, then you should man up and put in any extra time that you need to succeed in the course. Sleep less, party less, whatever you need to do because Cal will only be more difficult.</p>
<p>Also, since it’s the summer you can focus on just that course. In the fall you would have probably 4 or 5 classes, so the 3x as much time thing doesn’t really work out. Also, taking Calc 3 and linear algebra in the same semester just sounds like hell</p>
<p>If you are not really getting the full concepts, it is a sign that you do need to put in the five hours a day. Try it, see if you can master everything, then back off time gradually until you reach the point that begins to affect your performance (ergo grade). That is, if you want an A and not a C or D.</p>