<p>7th grade: Started out in "pre-algebra", counsel. realized I was wrongly placed moved me up to Algebra 1 in mid-December. So lost at least a quarter of Algebra 1 knowledge. </p>
<p>8th grade: In the end, my parents wanted to move me because I was in a really bad school district (had to be taken over by state). BUT, I got into an academy which was new (as I'd be in the first class there). So my parents enrolled me after I took the test an got accepted. Still stayed in the same district (it was like a private school)</p>
<p>9th grade: In the academy w/ 31 kids. The kids were...not really smart. Teachers didn't teach. I was in "combined algebra" (it's description was alg I + alg II)....basically did Algebra 1 all over again. So didn't learn any algebra II. My parents moved to a new district, with a blue ribbon school.</p>
<p>10th: switched to the blue ribbon school, although my parents told me I was better off getting A's but not learning as much in the academy. Took pre-calc H, got a B. </p>
<p>11th: Took calc BC. I got a C, so I had to switch to calc AB (the BC grade won't show up on the report card). My parents are flipping out. </p>
<p>I don't get it....am I dumb, or did those years of missing algebra really hurt me? My parents are convinced that I'm a lazy idiot (no, I'm not exaggerating). Worst of all, I'm applying to UPenn...I feel totally screwed and lost. </p>
<p>But imagine coming into a clac class not knowing the basics of conics or not having the rigorous practice of solving polynomial eqs. Sure, I can do them now, but I'd like to know who can do well in a clac class w/out taking alg I OR alg II.</p>
<p>Well, yes its your fault. Were you not provided with a textbook for the subjects. I suppose you were, in that there is no excuse for not knowing the material.</p>
<p>Note that undergrad level calculus is not hard, its actually easier to learn than algebra and trig, but you need them. The problem with most students is the lack of fundamental knowledge, so you are not alone.</p>
<p>You are in Calculus. In 11th grade. And you wonder if you are stupid?</p>
<p>You may be a ninny because you don't realize that Calculus has traditionally been a college/university level course in the US, which means that you are at least two full years ahead of most of the students in the US. But I wouldn't say you are stupid.</p>
<p>In the long history of Algebra, many, many students have taught the subject to themselves without the intervention of a teacher. You just need to lay your hands on a high school Algebra 1 textbook and sit down and work your way through every single problem. Then, you need to repeat this with an Algebra 2 textbook. Start now and you will be done by spring vacation.</p>