<p>I'm in a predicament here. I'm here back in college after a 2-3 year hiatus and I'm starting to develop those bad habits again from my first college experience. I start college and get great grades but as the year goes on I slowly but surely develop a poor work ethic and my grades suffer horrendously. This time it wasn't as bad as before but Calculus is a course that should not be failed for one who is pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I just can't for the life of me convince myself to practice most of the problems. The math courses I had to take before were a breeze to pass without worrying too much about practicing. I thought I would rid myself of this habit the third time around but it looks like I'm going to be stuck with a C with a chance of failing during the finals. The choice I'm giving myself right now is to stick it out with 4 other difficult courses and settle on average grades for all of my classes, or I can withdraw from Calculus and take it over the summer and try to develop a proper work ethic and make studying a habit. This would leave me to concentrate on getting A's and B's on the other courses without having to worry too much on digging myself out of the grave I put myself in for Calculus. Which should I choose?</p>
<p>What I really can't stop thinking about is failing the damn class 3 times. All 3 times I barely studied, and because of this I have to take the course a 4th time. In your opinion what do you feel of such a student?</p>
<p>I already have the future planned out in terms of transferring out of this state college. Once I get passed this Calculus barrier I'll be able to transfer to UCF in a "pending" major status and work on getting accepted into the actual BSAE program. I could stay beyond the 60 credits and work on Calc II, Physics with Calc I, and the leftover courses but that would mean dropping out of a good job opportunity I already have in the UCF area.</p>
<p>Please understand that Calculus is not exactly difficult subject for me I just don't practice enough to know how to algebraically solve some of the more exquisite problems. I don't plan on changing my major from a math intensive program, as Aerospace Engineering is what I've always wanted to be but I just haven't developed proper studying habits.</p>
<p>I took Calculus1 three times, Psychology 101 twice, Botany twice, Anatomy & Physiology 1 three times, English 1 twice, Pre-calculus twice, and General Chemistry 1 FIVE times. This was combined at three different schools within four years time.
I have since managed to get my sh*t together and will be attending a top 20 school in the fall. Just keep trying and keep your head up. It shows determination.</p>
<p>Well, you know what you have to do; you’re just not doing it. Different things work for different people. You need to find your own motivation and self-discipline to study. Basic tips are not to get stressed out or anxious, get rid of distractions, do some strenuous exercise before studying, etc.</p>
<p>For calculus, especially, I’ll let you in on my secret study routine. First, know how to do the problems in each section (i.e. do your homework). Second, when the test is coming up, reserve the day before to make yourself a study sheet of all material covered that will be covered in the exam. Only if you must do more exercises do more, but in reality, they’re a waste of time if you did your homework and already know how to do them. Lastly, on the day of the exam, spend about an hour memorizing important formulas and equations. I’ve done this for the past three semesters of math, and I’ve gotten nothing but A’s.</p>
<p>Frankly, Calculus I is as basic as it gets in engineering math, and it only gets harder. If schools see you consistently fail the course, they’re going to think the student is incapable of the more difficult courses.</p>
<p>Edit: Unless you have the advantage of a grade-replacement sort of thing!</p>
<p>I just talked to 7 different advisors from both schools and it looks like I’ve completely screwed myself over with little hope of recovering. Failing the course three times results in all the grades being averaged. Even if I passed with an A this third time the averaged grade is still a failure.This community college does do academic appeals. The only remaining option is to leave Calculus I for until after I transfer schools and deal with fixing the situation at UCF without being in the Aerospace Engineering program. I’m going to somehow have to appeal for academic forgiveness or else I’m going to have to take the class a fifth time in order for my grade to be averaged to a C. This is a tough one you guys, I really don’t know how to deal with this issue.</p>
<p>Usually only the most recent attempt figures into GPA. Regardless, if you can’t get through Calc 1, you likely aren’t going to make it through an Aerospace Engineering program. </p>
<p>Get a Chegg account and do a bunch of practice problems. The engineering program will be tough but you really need to work for it. For me, math got hard after calc 2. I found Calc 3 much more difficult but it depends on the school. The material isn’t difficult for Calc 3 (a lot of it is similar to stuff in calc 1) but the exams are very timed at my school. Anyways, my point is that it’s going to get harder from here since you also need Calc-based physics too so you really need to do well in Calculus. </p>
<p>You see calculus as a barrier when in reality it is a foundational.course in engineering. You need a consistent work ethic if you plan to make it through an aerospace engineering program. I would seriously consider taking a break from school and re-evaluating your motivations and career goals. You definitely do not want to transfer to ucf without proving you have the ability to successfully see courses like calculus to the finish line.</p>