I went to a local CC for 3 years and finished an associate’s degree in computer science as well as 3 related computer science certificates. I transferred to a CSU where I’ve been enrolled for 2 quarters, about to start my 3rd. I’m 22 years old.
I took Calculus 1 three times at my CC and withdrew twice, got a D on the third and final attempt. I then took a step back, retook Pre-Calculus and passed with a B so that I could get my A.A. degree and transfer to a CSU. Now I’m at the CSU and about to finish the quarter and I’m almost positive I’m not going to pass my final exam or the class. I don’t know what it is about Calculus that stumps me but I just can’t remember all of the tricks you need to get through the more complicated problems when it comes down to the wire on exams. I can trudge through it on homework but when it comes down to the tests where I can’t go to anyone for help or check my notes I forget how to do things and royally screw them up.
I’ve spent triple digit money on tutors back in my CC days and despite it I still did not pass Calculus… even though I grasped all of the concepts with the tutors and was able to do the problems under their supervision to the point where they felt confident I would succeed in the class. I’m beginning to think I just can’t take math tests properly, even though I am aware most people don’t believe that’s a real thing (and neither did I until it became my excuse).
Assuming I don’t pass calculus this quarter I could take it again 2 more times but I feel like I am massively wasting my time. All of my upper division classes have calculus as a prerequisite and every quarter or semester that goes by without having the pre-req. completed is more time wasted. I’m starting to lose all hope of ever finishing this degree… if I can’t pass Calc 1 there’s no hope for Calc 2 or Linear Algebra or whatever else I have to take in the future.
What should I do? Should I change my major? I want to work in the computer science field and I am competent at it already. It’s been my passion since I was a kid and I can’t imagine myself enjoying anything else. The programming and design work I already do on my own doesn’t even involve advanced math like Calculus so I’m wondering if I should just change my degree to something like Business and go from there… please help.
Have you ever had any signs of a learning disability? There is one that pertains to math (dyscalculia), though I don’t know much about it. I guess if you got a “B” in Pre-calc that argument might not hold much water.
What if you took only Calculus for one semester, and no other classes. Do you think you could pass it then?
What gets you the most about the tests? Is there any way you could get extended time? This would require documentation of some sort of need for an accommodation though.
Does an advisor have any ideas for you?
Barring some other solution, I do like your idea of switching to Business or a like major so that at least you can complete a Bachelor’s degree. It sounds like you truly enjoy and do well with CS. You must be very frustrated with this situation! If it’s any consolation I’m not sure I could pass Calculus either, and I have a JD (not that I needed Calculus for law school per se - thank goodness!).
As far as I am aware I have not had any signs of learning disabilities. I have struggled with advanced math since the trigonometry aspects were introduced to me in high school. However I still passed all of my math classes up until this point. I had never failed a class in my life until Calculus came along.
This last quarter I was taking Calculus along with only one other class (which was arguably an easy one)… this is pretty close to the situation you proposed so I don’t think it would help me. I think at this point it’s as much a motivation issue as it is a learning/retainment issue. I’ve taken this class so many times and seen things taught so many ways I can’t find much hope in it any more.
I don’t find myself running out of time on the tests, I run out of ideas on how to solve the problems and become stumped. I haven’t talked to an adviser specifically about Calculus, this is really the first help I’ve ever reached out for help regarding this… and I know it’s pretty late to be doing it but that’s my personality. I’ve reached a point where I’m freaking out about how much time I’ve wasted and how little progress I’ve been able to make with this problem.
I’m glad that my idea of switching majors sounds sane to someone other than me… that’s slightly encouraging. Thank you for your response.
@hatecalculus - I give you so much credit for continuing to try. I never took anything past Trig. Math befuddles me too. My heart goes out to you, but please don’t beat yourself up for hanging in there. That’s actually a great trait.
Do think of talking with an advisor, just to make sure we’re not missing something obvious. Otherwise I can’t see any reason to not change tracks with regard to your major. My goodness no need to tilt at windmills.
@SouthFloridaMom9 Thank you for your encouragement and advice I will likely need to talk to an adviser anyway about changing my major and they’ll likely ask why I’m doing it so I will go over the whole story with them too and see what they say.
If anyone else has any thoughts or comments please feel free to share, I want to hear as many opinions as I can.
Why do you want to get a computer science degree? My understanding is that most tech companies do not have a blanket requirement for a comp sci B.S. - all other things being considered, it probably helps to get one, but you should be able to compensate for that with sufficient work experience and/or personal projects/coding competitions/etc. Even if they put that as a filter on their job postings, some connections or other workarounds probably exist.
@RMIBstudent I want one simply to get in the door at more places, because like you mentioned most just toss out people without a CS degree to narrow down applicants.
I do fine on practice tests when I have the ability to check my answers and find my mistakes, but then when I’m handed the real test the problems differ enough from practice to stump me again.
But are there enough CS-friendly companies that you can still work with, or any other ways you can network or get your foot in the door? Just mass-filing online applications might be a problem here, but not necessarily debilitating. I know people who have gotten offers at big tech companies without CS degrees, although they typically had technical ones.
Are there any other computer-related degrees that don’t require calculus? Or maybe just an easier calculus class/teacher?
So, if you take a practice test while simulating testing conditions, do you typically pass?
Get your degree in something else, but continue to learn programming if you like it and are good at it. Most jobs care more about your skills than what your degree is in.
Many other technical fields are certificate based, so you can also do some training and get some certificates after college.
How are you at statistics? Statistical programming (SQL, R, Python, SAS, etc. ) is a thought. Engineering technology is another thought.
@nw2this I have 3 certs from my CC as a well as an AA degree in CS - not sure what other certs to pursue yet. I’m good at statistics, abstract math concepts is where I really struggle.
For anyone that had the same problem I did and find themselves reading this later… I finally passed. B+.
I can honestly say your one and only key is finding a teacher that grades fairly and honestly prepares you for what you’ll be tested on. One that makes accurate study guides and doesn’t expect unrealistic performance from their students. And also it’s important that they give you opportunities to offset your test grades with homework/take homes/etc. My test average was an 80%.
Hang in there, don’t give up - even if it takes you 4 times like it did for me. The system is rigged against you and you just have to keep fighting.
Congratulations! I’m sorry you had so much trouble. I knew someone in a similar situation with 5 times. He finally passed when he took the class with me.
I will likely need to talk to an adviser anyway about changing my major and they’ll likely ask why I’m doing it so I will go over the whole story with them too and see what they say.