Ok I’m getting destroyed in this class. I have an 81% because of 3 C’s on the past 3 tests. I try so hard and study so much but I still get a C on the tests. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t understand the Calculus or if I don’t understand the Algebra 2/Trig etc. that is behind some of the problems. My backstory is that in the middle of my freshman year, when I was taking Algebra 2, a series of tragic events befell me. My mom passed away abruptly and this lowered my focus and confidence and I ended up with a C in Algebra 2. I similarly ended up with a C in Math Analysis because of the holes in my knowledge that built up. I don’t know what I should do. I don’t want to drop the class. Is it still possible to get an A? Do I need to get a tutor? The semester ends in December so there’s still two tests and a final. Help please. 
I’d recommend a tutor and Khan Academy. I’m sorry about your mom.
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Do you have any friends in your class who could help you understand the material better? Maybe they could explain the material in a way that you can understand it. If not, then I would recommend a tutor. Can you study/review the material in your textbook? Sometimes just sitting down with your textbook and reviewing the problems and steps for solving them can help. I say review what you’re learning every day so that you will begin to understand the material fully, and you won’t get behind in class. You definitely don’t want to drop the class. Is it possible to ask your teacher for extra credit because you really want to succeed in the class? It wouldn’t hurt to ask. Khan Academy was a nice suggestion if you cannot get a tutor. Give it time and effort (no slacking), and you’ll be able to bring the grade up to a B at least.
@awesomepolyglot I’ve tried Khan Academy but I think the way he does most of the stuff differs from the way that my teacher teaches.
@LionKing2398 Yeah I ask my friends for help sometimes but usually that only covers for a few problems that I didn’t get. Our teacher gives us homework everyday and it takes me about 1 and a half hours to 2 hours to complete it. I do give the class my time and effort. I review the teacher’s notes every day in order to do the homework but when it comes to before the test I somehow forget everything. No matter how hard I try, it just doesn’t seem to stick in my brain. I think this is the class that I try the hardest but I still can’t get the material down. The AP teachers at my school do not offer extra credit. My teacher is aware that my mother passed away since on the first day of school she made everyone write down their past math history and any comments/concerns he/she should be aware of but I’m scared to ask her for help because I think she expects us to already know the concepts that built up to this point.
Umm how is having an 81% failing? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You might be surprised and the teacher gives you a bit of a break for asking for the help. Shows you are interested and all. You are not failing.
@labegg You’re definitely right. I think it’s just because of the amount of pressure that all my peers and I have to get good grades, a borderline B is seen as failing. It’s just because of the competitive nature of everyone around me that what should be seen as passing (a C score) is seen as failing and an above passing score (a B) is seen as satisfactory. I hate how education is based on grades now rather than actually learning.
Don’t be so hard on yourself! I’m taking the same class right now and I would say that about 85% of the students have 80’s or lower. It’s a very difficult class and colleges understand that.
It’s difficult to not be so hard on myself because my school’s population is probably 80% asian. Everyone is so competitive and it seems like they get A’s on the tests with such facility. I just pisses me off that I spend so much time on this subject and my grade doesn’t reflect that.
AP calc really requires understanding. If you try hard to memorize all the limits, derivatives, and integrals you won’t go far. Try to understand WHY you’re doing limit/derivative/integral and how you can apply the concepts in application problems. Once you understand the concept, the memorization part becomes easy as well. Don’t give up!
I would recommend a tutor. Probably many of your classmates have one. Khan academy is not the only place to get help. Google area you need help in and you will find other videos that may make more sense to you. Also create a cheat sheet of rules so it is organized and you can easily see the rules in a condensed manner. Always helped me in school. Chaos of information confused me but when i saw information organized and logical it made sense.
Why you need an A?
I never said I needed an A. I’m just asking if it’s realistic given the situation.
Failing or getting a B-?
I’m at that B-/C+ border.
I agree with jason861101. In order for you to get an A, you REALLY need to understand the concepts, like how certain equations are even made, the idea of deriatives,etc. Do A BUNCH of practice problems if you get the concept, but still have trouble solving difficult problems covering that concept. I suggest really utilizing YouTube channels that cover advanced concepts, such as patrickJMT and ProfRobBob, in case getting a tutor is not really an option. But if it is, get one. Oh,and also talk to your teacher. Whenever you don’t understand something, make sure you address it after class or after school. Show him/her that you really are trying to succeed in the classroom. Hope this helps 