<p>In high school I didn't really learn precalculus/trig; I studied algebra, geometry, and took AP Statistics. When I got to college they gave us a math placement exam which was ridiculously simple (basic algebra) and placed me into Calculus I. I wanted to take Math 102 (it precedes Calc I) instead, but the advisors told me that as a science major, it's important I take Calculus right away (it's a prereq for most of my classes) and assured me I would be fine.</p>
<p>When I started class I was very behind and didn't understand what the professor was talking about. I didn't know basic concepts like logarithms or what sin/cos/tan/cotan/csc/sec even meant. I bought a precalculus review book and tried to teach myself and went for tutoring/office hours in the math dept. But I'm not really a good student - the lecture is optional at 8am and I admit I skipped a lot of classes (and stupidly justified it to myself by saying I wasn't understanding it anyway so might as well catch up first). I ended up missing most of the homework assignments because I was behind and did poorly on the first quiz (after the 2nd week of the semester I couldn't drop the course). I did horribly on the midterm and had a bio and chem midterm right before calc and ended up focusing on those subjects more because the exams were first.</p>
<p>If anyone could recommend any types of study aids like review books or math dvd's or websites, I would really appreciate it. The textbook is horrible; the professor is ok and the slides he posts are helpful but I need more. I'm obviously not getting an A in this class but I could still get a C+ or B- at this point. </p>
<p>It’s a DVD that teaches calculus 1 & 2 - and it’s pretty handy if you’re a visual learner.
Because you actually watch him solve the and explain the problems, you don’t fall into the issue that a lot of books have of skipping steps and assuming the reader understood the skipped step.</p>
<p>He explains everything easily, and goes over a lot of sample problems - that you can pause, try to solve on your own, and if you got it wrong watch him solve and explain it.</p>
<p>Wow, for a second I thought I somehow wrote this thread without remembering…</p>
<p>In HS I took algebra one, geometry, algebra 2 and took AP Stats instead of going down the precalc/calc path (I hated math… but loved stats because of how applicable it is to the ‘real world’). For the past 5 years I’ve been finishing a degree in biology. When I took that placement exam, they put me in intermediate algebra… yeah, it was a very easy class; moved on to trigonometry and then calc for the life sciences. </p>
<p>Personally I think if you don’t pass with a decent grade you should go down a step or two. I mean, your in calc and you don’t even know your basic trig functions yet. That’s no bueno. I’m not calling you “dumb”, but that simply your college has failed you by putting you in a class that you are no where near ready for. Don’t be ashamed by taking a few more semesters to get back up to calc… if your major leans a lot toward these harder maths, you’re going to have a tough time if you just skimmed by calc.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the links everyone! Plattsburghloser, you’re the second person to suggest those DVD’s to me so I think I’ll definitely order it online now</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m going to go back a step though, since I’m a biochem major and taking precalc next semester and then calc next Spring would set me back 1 year. I got a 56 on my midterm and the average grade was a 72; I’m obviously doing horribly but plenty of students who took precalc are doing just as poorly. I’m all caught up now on on logs and trig functions and such, and I have a pretty good understanding of limits/derivatives - I just have to catch up on the last 3 weeks now and make sure I go to class regularly</p>
<p>again, thanks for the suggestions. I was expecting people on this site would be like “Pshh you ■■■■■■, I self-taught myself calculus when I was 13 and blah blah…” :)</p>
<p>I’m going to have to agree that your advisor was wrong in telling you to get right into calc 1, always think twice and don’t blindly follow the advice of your superiors. Also you’ve got to take some of the blame for skipping several lectures… I mean, going to class makes the time actually spent studying much less, (which is why I’m always confused why there’s always students in my maths class who never show up except for exams… I assume most of them either a) study much more than me out of class or b) fail their exams)</p>
<p>Like I said, it’s my fault for not keeping up as much as i should have (I procrastinate a lot) and also skipping several classes. Reading the notes on Blackboard isn’t the same as attending lecture and hearing the professor explain it. I agree it was sucky advice to take the course - I could’ve done PreCalc now and Calc over the summer - and still been on track to take Physics and other calc-based classes next fall. Not really much I can do about it now though; I’m in the class and have to deal with it and just try to do as well as possible now</p>
<p>how’s your algebra? i’m still in hs but i’ve already taken calc and i think having your algebra down pack is the most important part.
if you’re okay in that department then doing some addtl practice problems might be helpful. does your school have tutoring services? that could also help to have someone walk you through and explain things better</p>