So, I’m nearing the end of my first semester in college as an engineering and I failed Calc 2. I’ll be lucky to finish with a D at this point.
I know that I can do better, as math was never much of an issue back in high school. I think that I underestimated the amount of time that should go into studying and preparing for a college course, and this is evident in my grade for the class. I know I’m going to have to revamp how I prepare in the future.
So my question is: What can I do to help prepare myself when I retake it next semester? Is it possible to get an A if I devote the time to it? Tips?
You have to go to the tutors and attend office hours from the beginning of the semester/quarter.
Tutoring is different in college than HS. Tutoring is for people who want A’s and are willing to put in the work. The tutors are typically graduate students who have taken the professor’s classes and know what is expected. They will advise you on the supplemental texts where some of the test questions may have evolved. They will enlighten you on which proofs and theorems you are expected to know and will encourage you with practice questions.
If you plan on staying in engineering, you have to understand that the skills are progressive and you have to do well in each step in the hierarchy, or the problems/questions wont make sense in later courses.
If you haven’t joined or created a study group, you should do that as well.
Tutoring and working with others is not a remedial thing. It’s proactive.
One thing my daughter did to help her study and ‘test’ if she really knew the info was to partner with another athlete who missed class about once a week. She took notes for him and then reviewed the material with him. If she couldn’t teach it to him, she didn’t really know it and they would go back over the entire week’s lessons.
She also had required study tables (a coach’s requirement) so she’d be in the library studying 3-4 nights per week, at a table with her tablet and laptop up and running.
My nephew got a D in Calc his first semester. He learned beer and math aren’t the best combo and really changed his ways second semester.
None of us know you. You may work hard and get straight As in your engineering coursework from here on out. However, if you struggled with Calc 2, really give some thought over the break about switching majors. I wish you the best.
Geez. Don’t switch majors. Too early to throw in the towel. Go to your professor, peer to peer labs, math /science labs… It’s NOT about getting an A. It’s about understanding the material. Time Management is key!!
Read this book and thank me later. The chapter on procrastination has your name on it… Lol…
Getting through engineering alive is about being persistent not who is smarter. Lots of smart students drop out of engineering… If you want it then go get it… But get help. Calc 2 is one of the typical weed out classes for engineering… Many will tell you Calc 3 is easier… Get old tests and figure out what your not getting. There is a guy on Reddit that flunked like Calc 2 twice and physics 2 once and something else… He made it through and is now the interviewer for a major engineering firm… At Michigan the head of engineering had an F, D and barley passed his classes first semester… He now runs the department at a leading University… Hang in there… Talk to learning services and your advisors…
Think it says Purdue… It’s tough no question. Hopefully your other classes are going well. Good luck.
Thanks for the tips! I definitely plan on sticking with it. I’ve found a tutor, and I’ve actually bought the book you suggested not too long ago. Procrastinating is definitely something I need to work on.
I know that engineering is what I want to do, do I’m definitely not ready to give up on it.
Yes, it is possible. With the understanding that college grading is not like HS grading. Shoot for an A and deeper understanding and be happy if you walk away with a B and better study skills.
What other classes do you have in the spring? Make sure you are not overloading your schedule. This is content you need for success in many other classes.
If you are in Calc2, you had AP or Dual Enrollment courses that gave you credit for Calc1. That was during Covid learning and there were a lot of gaps in understanding and kids are missing some foundational math skills.
Over break reflect on where you struggled and review some Trig and Calc1 content. Visit some free sites like Kahn Academy. If you just had the digital version of the textbook, spring for a hard copy.
In the Spring Semester you will be with other freshman who just successful completed Calc1 at your college. They may be at a different place than you are. Go to any and all recitations, tutoring sessions, and office hours. When you are lost, get help immediately. Asking for help is hard for high achieving kids, but just do it.
I’m at 14 credit hours for the spring, so it’s less than what I did this semester (15, but with 7 classes). I had originally planned on starting at calc 1 ( for the reasons you stated) but my advisor recommended calc 2 instead.
Thanks for the tips!