<p>I am a freshman in highschool and I'm interested in engineering( mainly electric and mechanical). I've always done very well in science but math might be holding me back. I have anxiety and I'm slowly overcoming it but, I want to get this off my chest. I didn't take the math and science high school classes in middle school and Im really worried about doing something I dont like to do for the rest of my life. I have 90s in science(living enviorment) and 85s in intergraded algebra. Please help, Thanks!</p>
<p>Go back and read the college prep classes I listed in your ‘I want to be an animator’ post. Freshman year isn’t too late for anything.</p>
<p>Take 3 years lab science, including physics.
Take Geometry, Alg II and precalculus. Calculus if you can.</p>
<p>Math-wise, as long as you are on track to complete* trigonometry and precalculus by high school graduation to be ready for calculus when you enter college, starting engineering as a frosh at a four year school is doable. Be aware that engineering is generally more math-intensive, relatively rigorous, and higher workload than most college majors.</p>
<p>Even if you are “behind” in math, you can start at a community college, do the “catch up” there, then complete the first two years of prerequisites and transfer as a junior to a four year school to complete an engineering bachelor’s degree.</p>
<p>*This means knowing algebra, geometry, and trigonometry well, so that you can use it in subsequent math, physics, and engineering courses.</p>
<p>At my son’s large state school, every kid has to take a math and English placement test before signing up for classes. About half of the incoming engineering students end up in pre-calculus classes. Not all colleges are like MIT, and not all engineers are math geniuses.</p>
<p>So, can I still become an engineer…or is it too late? </p>
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<p>However, being placed in precalculus math courses will almost certainly mean delayed graduation as an engineering major. This can be an unexpected expense at a four year school. Students who need additional math preparation may prefer to get that at a cheaper community college. This may extend the pre-transfer time at the community college, but that is typically cheaper than extra semesters at a four year school.</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>You’re a freshman in high school…how could it possibly be too late???</p>
<p>Its not that I’m behind, its that I’m to to a level I with I was at. Ive never failed math…</p>
<p>You should try to get in to AP classes because most of the people I’ve seen doing well in my calculus classes all took AP math in high school. </p>
<p>My D and nephew took summer school math so they could move forward during the school year. If you can take the fast pace, that might be a way for you to accelerate in math or science. Tutoring to go along with summer school may help you thru tough spots, as things move very quickly. </p>
<p>Are you interested in engineering because you believe it is a good career path? When you say “something I hate doing” makes me think you have other interests. If you became good in math, would your perspective change? My DH is an engineer and he had to work at math - even had to ‘catch up’ on math between college freshman and sophomore years. All the other ‘engineering’ traits were there and he could work through the ‘pain’ and not only graduated, but has had a successful 36+ year engineering career. </p>
<p>Try to take the more challenging curriculum on your high school classes and do career exploration; when it comes to choosing colleges, if you have not narrowed down your interests or career options, go to a school big enough to accommodate whatever major you end up with. If your school offers a summer session, or if you have a community college where you can dual enroll, you can strengthen on math and/or other curriculum.</p>
<p>Do the best you can with your courses, so your GPA and ACT/SAT might provide some automatic scholarship options.</p>
<p>Hang in there!</p>
<p>Try to take Honors Integrated Algebra 2 or Honors Integrated Math 2 over the summer if you can. Or even take Honors Integrated Math 1 again just to have a strong foundation. Then take the second level of math at Honors level in the Fall.
However, before you do any of this, talk with your math teacher: does s/he think you can handle honors math2? Can you see yourself doing 1h-1H30 math homework every night?</p>
<p>You’re either 14 or 15. No, it’s not too late to become an engineer. </p>
<p>Thank you for the advice I’ll try my best! 
Thanks to all of you!!</p>
<p>Should I take geometry and algebra 2 next year? I heard geometry is easy.</p>
<p>Talk to math teacher and your guidance counselor. Many students do find geometry easier than algebra II. With your pre-engineering preparation, both these advisors can help direct you based on knowing you, your school’s curriculum, and likely college options for you.</p>
<p>Is your current algebra class strong enough to prepare you for Honors Algebra 2? Could you take either geometry or Algebra 2 over the summer?
Since you’re getting a B in Algebra right now, I don’t think it’d be wise to take both Algebra 2 and Geometry together next year. In any case you’re on track to take PreCalc senior year, which is all most Colleges of Engineering will require (but they WILL require that you have A’s in your math classes).
In addition, what level algebra are you taking right now, is it the most demanding in your school, regular on level, a bit slower paced?
(Just asking because at some schools, there’s Integrated Math but also Integrated Algebra, which is different - Integrated Math includes the beginning of Geometry, whereas at some schools Integrated Algebra means Algebra 1 stretched over 3 semesters. Do you know what type of math you’re taking right now?)</p>
<p>My school doesn’t have honors math classes</p>
<p>What are the levels for math at your school? </p>
<p>I dont think that there are levels…</p>