<p>So this is basically the first time I have ever experienced ultimate failure and letdown of myself and realization of how truly stupid I am. For the past 3 years of taking math I have gotten A's and B's but until Calculus I have hit rock bottom. The highest test score I got was a D+ and since then i have either F-bombed and/or D-bombed it. My teacher has a tendency to show preference toward either students who talk alot of get good scores on the tests. However I am really shy when I know im bad at something so i really cant talk to him because i dont wanna see the accusation on his face. my counselor asked me if i wanted to drop calc but i really wanted to understand it and so i rejected her offer and told her ill try, but then i realized that i have a low d and im risking not getting accepted to colleges and lately ive been really depressed about it. i had alot of issues and family and im taking 5 ap classes and they are all breaking me in pieces so i dont have alot of time for calculus but its always my number one priority. i am honestly lost and hopeless :( please give me some advice</p>
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<p>I’d hardly say you are stupid.</p>
<p>For starters, getting tutoring could be beneficial. Also, figuring out what exactly you don’t understand in Calc would be a good start too.</p>
<p>have you ever tried Khan academy?</p>
<p>LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL</p>
<p>I think you are a senior, at which point your grades ** will not kill you** as much as you think and you may get a D in Calculus, but I’m sure your final grade will be higher.</p>
<p>Also, try asking for extra help and extra credit.</p>
<p>Do you like math? Or if you don’t, do you care enough about the class to put in the effort for the rest of the year?</p>
<p>Try to figure out why you are performing so poorly–it’s highly unusual for an A-B student to suddenly drop into the failing range. Is it the teaching style? Your less-than-preferred teacher? Are you doing the homework and studying regularly? Or is it the difficulty of the actual subject matter? See if the factors affecting your performance are things that you can fix now or if efforts at remedying the situation would be ineffective.</p>
<p>Like CE527M pointed out, you should considering getting a tutor, since your problem sounds serious. And do reconsider talking to your teacher–he’s getting paid to help you. And if your teacher is REALLY as unapproachable as you say, then are there other math teachers you could go to?</p>
<p>As for the D grade, you will probably need to inform the colleges that you applied to about how you’re not doing well in the class. I’m sure that if you explain your situation, they’ll understand why you’re underperforming and take that into consideration when reviewing your application–or at the very least, they’ll know what’s going on. But you definitely do not want to sit on that D and then let the colleges find out in the spring. Also, even if you do choose to drop Calculus, you will almost certainly need to notify the colleges anyway.</p>
<p>As for whether or not you should drop the class–will you be a math/sci major? Do you think that having Calculus experience will be helpful or necessary for you in college? This goes back to whether or not you like the class for its own sake, too.</p>
<p>You need to seriously reevaluate everything about the class and all that you’re doing in the class, and decide whether you’re willing to make the time and commitment to pass it–and whether or not it’s a realistic expectation that you CAN pass it.</p>
<p>I am having the same problem as you. I got my first C ever-I only get As (and Bs in math last year)- on a report card first quarter in none other than AP Calc AB. My teacher is tough, but oddly an easygoing person. I take notes, record every problem he reviews, study for hours and make “practice tests”, and I have a great tutor. I still can’t seem to get higher than a C on any given test. The best score I’ve received is an 82. I have a high C now, and the pressure is on to get a B or higher on the midterm to secure a B for the semester. I don’t know what to do if I don’t. As you’ve said, I am very worried about how this will come across…</p>
<p>I think that it’s his teaching style. My teacher only cares about the students who display that they care. I am really quiet in class so I think that he assumes that I don’t care or something. And I do want to take the class because I like the math, it’s just that he’s the only calculus teacher on campus and his tests are 3x harder than the actual AP test. For the tutoring part, I am really poor so I can’t afford a personal tutor. I come after school to his class for tutoring, but he rarely talks to students because he expects AP Students to do their own work and ask him questions if needs help( you see where my shy problem comes in right??) and I truly understand it, but the way he incorporates it into his tests kills me. (I love khan, he is my 2nd bestfriend)</p>
<p>Dropping the class is better than risking your future. </p>
<p>Have a nice day</p>
<p>Sounds like you’ve got the right attitude and a genuine interest in the class. If his teaching style and tests are the main issues, then you should be able to bring your grade up if you change what it is about those issues that’s getting to you.</p>
<p>What does your teacher aim to see from students when they take his tests? Are there certain things you need to include or concepts that you need to demonstrate? (For example, my calculus teacher is VERY picky about little details like notation, so I make sure that I familiarize myself with the proper way of writing things.) Does he design the tests with a particular goal in mind? </p>
<p>I realize that these questions are very broad, and maybe the answers to them wouldn’t help you. But knowing how he approaches the test might give you some clues on how to study for them. Also reconsider your study habits in general–have you been experimenting with different methods/levels of preparation, or have you been sticking to the same plan and it hasn’t worked out?</p>
<p>As for the attitude that your teacher takes toward quiet students like you…I’m afraid that you’re either going to have to suck it up and develop the courage to talk to him frankly about your difficulties, or you’re going to be even more miserable in this class. Sounds harsh, but there’s no way around it if other options like tutoring aren’t available to you. And if he takes questions from people who need help (which every teacher should be doing), then why don’t you try coming up with a list or a game plan of things to go over when you meet with him? That way, you’ll seem more prepared and confident about tackling your problems.</p>