I think I may want to go into engineering, but I’m not the best at math or science. I will be a senior next year taking AP Calc AB and as of now, I’m not even signed up for a science class. My chemistry and physics grades are pretty iffy (B and B in Honors Chemistry and C and probably a B in Honors Physics) and in math I got a B+ and probably an A in regular precalc this year. How can I get more confidence?
My absolute goal would either be mechanical or aerospace engineering. I would have loved to take AP Physics next year, but I’m scared I’ll fail, so I’m just taking AP Psychology instead.
Math you HAVE to practice and try to memorize formulas and equations. If you know how to do something, all you need to do is plug in numbers and stuff.
Science is mostly rote memorization. Math applications should be followed as above.
It’s the struggle that makes you better in the end. OP can get better before college, so. How would you like it if someone told you not to be something because you’re not particularly good at it?
Careful, @IrrationalPepsi-- some (especially upper-level) science classes require a lot of synthesis and/or ability to problem-solve (not just math applications), though I agree that some science classes are heavy in memorization.
Consider bodangle’s comment. I can’t think of a reason why a person who doesn’t like math or science and who is also not great at math or science would want to be an engineer, though if you have a good reason, by all means share.
Anyways, to your question:
Look back over tests and quizzes (and graded homework, if that’s a thing) when you get them. Make note of the kinds of mistakes you made: were they silly arithmetic errors or was there a concept you missed? If you didn’t understand a concept, go back and learn it. Math and some science classes build on themselves, and so if you miss a building block, you’re going to have a much harder time later on.
A good understanding of AP Calc has to be done three ways: by understanding the mechanisms behind the math, by understanding and memorizing the presented formulas, and by doing practice problems that require you to apply the formulas but also test that you understand what is going on. Do the assigned homework problems and ask questions if you have them. If your book has a section of advanced problems for the section or chapter, try those. They won’t be easy, but they’ll usually probe your understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing. Pay attention to the theorems given each section. I would recommend reading and getting a sense of the proofs if you can, but that’s often not necessary. Know the formulas for differentiation and integration COLD. Keep a running list of ways to approach problems to refer back to if you get stuck. Write down important results of theorems. Keep an eye on concepts that connect to each other and remind yourself what you are doing and why you are doing it.
I know nothing about AP Psych, so I can’t really comment, but if it is, as IrrationalPepsi has mentioned, mostly rote memorization, try studying for it the way you would study for a history test: in a way both detail and large picture oriented. Know the ins and outs of the material, but don’t lose the forest for the trees. Study actively. Quiz yourself, maybe with flashcards. Think of questions that might be asked and answer them. Search for connections between different parts of the material.
You may not be good at it yet, but do you like math and science? If you are really passionate about the subjects, you can conquer them. If not, what makes you think you would like engineering?
For me science is about understanding. For example, why saturated fat are solid at room temperature and unsaturated are liquid? Saturated fats have all single bonded chains so the chains itself is straight. This allows a more uniformed packing, allowing it to in higher concentrations in lower volumes (hence saturated) and solid. For unsaturated fats, the carbon chains have one or more “kinks” which prevents it from solidifying because the lipids cannot pack tightly together. From a fundamental understanding of the structure, the “whys” is understood rather than memorized.
For math, it’s mostly practice.
Use online resources like Khan Acadamy and Bozeman Science. It really helps.
I’d say physical sciences, like physics and chemistry, are more logical and reasonable thinking. Where biology, anatomy, earth science, etc is like, rote memorization.
@bodangles Well I’m interested in the real world application of math and science, so I thought engineering might be a good match. I like learning about how things work, and machines and all that, so I wanted to try and go into engineering. I actually would enjoy math and science more, if I was better at them, but it’s not like I HATE them now
