This term I took more than one math course (big mistake) in order to move past the sequence of classes preventing future registration. It was difficult, frustrating, and tiring. In total, I took 3 courses and was able to get an A in the compsci course, but a B and C- in the math courses. Needless to say, I’m disappointed in my performance and know I need to do better.
Before someone goes there, I’m aware there’s not a math gene. I know math is required in compsci. I also know math requires discipline and good study habits. The aim of this post isn’t to bemoan how I’m “not a math person” and so forth.
I took accelerated and intense math courses this summer to “catch up.” After I graduated high school, I refused to take math because they were always my poorest grades and the most frustrating classes. Well, now that I have to take calculus, joke’s on me! In these courses, it took me 4-5 hours to complete the homework assignments, and then another 2-3 hours preparing for the quizzes. One class was online and had video tutorials and for all intents and purposes, required you to teach yourself. I earned an A in both classes.
This is strange to me because I thought, how did I do so well in those classes, and yet in this term’s classes I did poorer? It occurred to me what I seem to do best with is application versus theory. The two previous classes stressed application with the presentation of the content and the homework assignments. I spent a lot of time on both classes and had an easy class at the same time, so it wasn’t a problem. I understand now if I take an intensive compsci class, it’s probably not a good idea for me to take a math class but sometimes I don’t have a choice.
I have come to the conclusion I need to change my strategy. I spent weeks studying for the final exam, went to study groups, and reviewed problem topics. I still ended up with a C- in the course and what I was doing before didn’t work well. My problem is, I don’t know how to change my strategy. How else can I study and learn math when theory is difficult for me to grasp quickly? There’s a finite amount of time and energy during the week. I also have to work.
I was taking precalc and another math course that combined various abstract topics. Things like probability, logic, sets, etc.
What I’m looking for as far as strategies aren’t the typical things you find in books. I did a lot of those and still didn’t go great in my courses. A lot of the books tend to repeat the same things, but say them differently from one book to another. I did spend some time thinking about this and one thing I have to do differently is do a small amount of math each day.
What specifically do you struggle with? It’s hard for us to recommend specific strategies when we don’t really know what your specific struggles are. In the long term I would say that you should try looking into find a weekly tutor. It can be really helpful having someone explain things to you in a one on one setting.
I did go to tutoring on a regular basis. I’d go over homework that I didn’t understood or had incorrect answers, old quizzes, etc. In the tutoring session I had a lot of comprehension, but quiz or test time rolled around and I’d do poorly.
One of my kids tried to stay an assignment ahead in the homework so they knew something about it when they got to lecture before new concepts were introduced there.
I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to make a final post in it regarding this issue. Unfortunately for me, my math skills are so far behind the amount of studying it would require for me to do well would also require me to SOLELY focus on math-- which is not an option. I changed my school plans, and math won’t be necessary for me (at least math like Calculus). It didn’t occur to me that part of the reason why I was struggling so much is because I tried to cram in 12 years of math into two semesters in order to “catch up,” when the reality is, a person like me in this situation would be better suited to spending two terms per math topic to do well. Also, it’s not feasible for me to spend that kind of time on one subject when I am a nontraditional student and need to support myself. This last academic year was a huge learning experience.