<p>So this is my first time calculus 1. And it is way so difficult, I am having a hard time understanding the concept. I major in mechanical engineering. If I can't even pass calculus 1, I can't imagine how calculus 2 and 3 will be like. And the dream becoming a mechanical engineering can't become true :( </p>
<p>I didn't do well in the first two quiz. I feel like I won't able to pass college and I can not become a mechanical engineer. I feel like there are no hope for myself. And my father will be mad. He have a lot of hope for me and spent hundreds of dollar into my education already. </p>
<p>I don't know what to do!</p>
<p>I’m going to give you 4 links to articles that you ought to read to understand what you need to do, and why you need to do it. To summarize, the problem is probably that you are confusing recognition with recall. This is a common problem with students in all fields. When you do the homework you have the book right there and can thumb back to see how similar problems were solved. After a while the approaches become familiar, and then when you review the book before the test they may seem even more so, but as you’ve discovered once you face a test and can’t refer back you can’t recall what you need.</p>
<p>The solution is practice. Go to your bookstore and buy the “Problem Solver” book for the classes you are taking. These are like SAT prep books, but for technical subjects. Work thru the appropriate section, checking against the worked-out solution, until you are solving them correctly without seeing how it is done. The test will be the same, and you’ll solve problems just as easily.</p>
<p>here are the links to read: </p>
<p>[Why</a> Students Think They Understand—When They Don’t](<a href=“http://www.aft.org/newspubs/periodicals/ae/winter0304/willingham.cfm]Why”>Ask the Cognitive Scientist: Why Students Think They Understand—When They Don't) </p>
<p>[Practice</a> Makes Perfect—but Only If You Practice Beyond the Point of Perfection](<a href=“http://www.aft.org/newspubs/periodicals/ae/spring2004/willingham.cfm]Practice”>Ask the Cognitive Scientist: Practice Makes Perfect—But Only If You Practice beyond the Point of Perfection)</p>
<p>[How</a> to Ace Calculus: The Art of Doing Well in Technical Courses](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/11/14/how-to-ace-calculus-the-art-of-doing-well-in-technical-courses/]How”>How to Ace Calculus: The Art of Doing Well in Technical Courses - Cal Newport)</p>
<p>[On</a> Becoming a Math Whiz: My Advice to a New MIT Student](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/04/28/on-becoming-a-math-whiz-my-advice-to-a-new-mit-student/]On”>On Becoming a Math Whiz: My Advice to a New MIT Student - Cal Newport)</p>
<p>The thing is my calculus book is way too confusing and every time I read it before classes. I can not understand what the author is trying to say. And the homework is too confusing and the questions is not the same as lecture notes. </p>
<p>I will try to buy a problem solver</p>