I wouldn’t consider myself the best at math, but I’m not bad at it. However, I’m not great at retaining harder Algebra tactics but I can manage to relearn/remember them. I’ve taken Algebra 1 in 8th grade, Geometry 9th, Algebra 2 10th, and Precalculus 11th. I got a 94 both semesters of Precalculus. But, the teacher, who taught the class and also teaches Calculus, said the class was nothing like Calculus except for the last chapter which I got an 86 on the test. At the beginning of senior year, I was put in Calculus. But after only three days in it, I was already stressed and worried about the future of the class. I panicked and dropped it. I’m now in College Algebra/Trig. I don’t know if I made the right choice because I regret it now because I feel like I’m just take Precalculus again. I’ve even cried about it. I just feel that I made a dumb mistake, and now I feel like my old above average peers think that I’m dumb. The couple of friends I did have in the class have told me that I’ve should’ve stayed because I’m going to have to take it in college. Their older siblings who are in the STEM field have taken it in college, and they regret not taking it in high school. I’m just so worried about my future. I don’t know what I want to major in, but accounting is one of my interests. I’ve done so much research, and I can’t get a concrete answer on if I will need it or not. I just feel stupid right now, and I wish I didn’t have to make important decisions like this. Can somebody give me hope?
What part of calculus was stressed to you about? Was it doing the algebra? Or just calculus itself like quotient rule, product rule? Why are you worried about your future? Are you thinking of doing STEM?
The rules and stuff. The first chapter didn’t seem too bad, but I don’t know. I just had this gut feeling. I’ve stressed over school so much these past three years, and I just didn’t wanna stress even more. I have three other college credit classes that are difficult, and I just panicked. I’m pretty sure I don’t wanna go into science, technology, and engineering. But, I don’t know if Accounting is considered math.
Accounting is considered math but not complicated math like STEM. What type of rules and stuff made you stress? This is very common for a student who’s very new to the subject like calculus.
I wasn’t looking at specifics but I skimmed through the book, and I panicked. I’m just depressed because it’s already too late to change back. I was just wondering if Calculus is ready hard in college. Or do I even have to take it. My counselor said Business Calculus or Statistics would probably be an option for me, but I don’t know.
That was your problem. You skimmed the book then you had a panicked attack. Yes, Accounting majors usually take business calculus. Try not to skim a book next time and please don’t do it to an accounting book.
Calculus is a great course, and it’s unfortunate you dropped it. It is daunting, there’s a big learning curve, that’s for sure. Being able to take it in high school is good because you more of a 1-on-1 experience with your teacher, so it’s easier to get help, as opposed to introductory Calculus courses in university, where most of them are huge classes.
Of course, there are no bad/good decisions, just decisions. If you’re not interested in majoring in STEM, I don’t think it’ll be a big deal come admissions, but I think you’ll most likely have to take College Algebra/Calculus/Statistics come freshman year.
Do see if you can enroll back in, and if not, don’t worry too much about it. Calculus doesn’t change in difficulty, just the classroom that changes in environment. A good foundation in precalculus is important, which you’ll have (and yes, unfortunately College Algebra/Trigonometry is Precalculus with a longer name.) You’ll be fine, just do your best with what you have. Hope this helps!
Skimming the entire book without learning the material is like looking at the final before taking the class. Of course it looks scary – you haven’t been taught it yet! Over the course of the semester or year, you would learn the tips and tricks to make those concepts easier, bit by bit.
Next time try not to psych yourself out. Any class you have successfully taken already would have looked scary to you before you learned it.
^always seem to stalk me when I make a comment. Lol
I wasn’t even talking to you.
OP, it’s ok. You may want accounting, not astrophysics. Fine. Everyone picks up higher math at their own pace. If you need calc in college, find a caring prof, get acad support, and try to schedule the rest of that semester to be light enough.
Right now, work on the nerves. Don’t burn out.
You replaced it with a math class, which is good.
If you feel like you weren’t going to do well in Calculus, then you made the right choice.
Don’t go back in or take a class if you don’t feel like you can do it.
If a freshman like me can do it, you can too!
^ That’s horrible advice.
Everyone works at a different level. If you don’t want to/can’t do Calculus, don’t do it. You replaced it with College Algebra, which is completely fine.