@MYOS1634 What If I am majoring in stem? should I just take the time to review algebra and trig?
Yes, ESPECIALLY if you’re majoring in STEM you need to be super strong in the 'assumed background '. You’ll need to be disciplined and do work from Khan Academy.
A weak mastery of calculus 1 could spell doom on your stem ambitions depending on the major you’re thinking of.
@MYOS1634 I understand most of the topics, I just started off bad and its affecting me now, If I had higher quiz scores I wouldn’t be worried about failing.
@Ajpat123 Did you try lion tutors? They are supposed to be excellent. It’s worth a shot. http://penn.liontutors.com/classes/math-140
^ great idea. Also, read your syllabus carefully: is a quiz grade dropped at the end?
@bodangles Just for future reference, should you talk to the professor of the course you are dropping before dropping the course? or just go to your academic adviser?
@Ajpat123 It’s probably a good idea to chat with the professor – make sure you’re right with your assessment of not being able to pass, get tips for doing well the next time around, etc. If you can fit in a meeting with the prof, I’d try it.
@bodangles Are advisers assigned to students? I dont know who my adviser is how do I find out?
I believe that before you enter your specific engineering major, you can meet with one of the ENGR (pre-engineering) advisors. More info here: https://www.engr.psu.edu/AdvisingCenter/ Looks like you can request an appointment or do a walk-in?
walk- in are only for ENGR students
That’s true, I don’t remember if OP is in DUS. They have advising too: https://dus.psu.edu/appointments
@bodangles @NASA2014 at orientation I was changed to Engineering.
Do you WANT to do engineering?
Have you investigating dropping the class, have you talked with your professor and discussed alternatives (as suggesed uphread)?
@MYOS1634 I was changed because I wanted to be in Engineering. I dont know what you mean by alternatives.
Possibilities beside dropping the class.
Perhaps look atother majors - if you’re interested in STEM, what about IST majors? Earth/mineral science majors?
But you have to get a strong trig foundation before retaking calc, and you need to ace calc 1.
@MYOS1634 I have to ace calc 1? where did you get that from? As far as I know a B is fine too, as long as your GPA gets you into your major its all good. Also with trig I could easily get a workbook that helps with prerequisites for calc, and work on that if I do drop out.
Yes that’s absolutely a possibility (working from a workbook.)
In engineering, calc 1 is considered very basic. 141E is very very hard but nothing compared to what’s to come. The fact you’ve mastered the content (whatever grade you may consider 'mastery ') is taken for granted in all upper level classes. You’re obviously able and if the issue is simply gaps in knowledge you can fill those and then do well, not just grade wise , but in thinking of classes ahead.
@bodangles My exam is really close to the deadline, Im thinking about making an appointment with an adviser because I might not get my results back in time. Last exam it took 5 days to give the test back and 3-4 days after they gave back the score.
It’s good that you’re thinking ahead like this. Try the advisor and see what they say. Did you get a chance to meet with your professor as well? I have a friend who’s had to meet with professors in a couple different subjects this semester and for one of them, chem lab, the professor and TA are really working with him to make sure he passes the class. I’m not sure if math classes usually have that kind of outcome but it might be nice to get tips for the next go-around if you end up having to drop.
@bodangles I went to my professor this morning, and she said there`s a good chance that the results might be given back after the deadline. The thing is my appointment isnt until after the exam (like 2-3 days after), I dont know if I should still go to the exam or not, even if Im dropping it, Im not too confident that Im going to do well on the second exam. This sucks.
BTW, do you know if I can drop during a walk-in? I looked on the site, and kinda says yes and no. It says dropping courses are acceptable but late dropping isn’t, so Im guessing I cant? The thing is the adviser that I talked to before said to come back and drop during a walk-in. Im confused.