<p>I have been accepted into SLO for biological science - something I am very happy about. I am however, a tad bit worried about the mathematics there (or just college mathematics in general).</p>
<p>For throughout my life, I understand how to do the specific calculations for problems but sometimes, my brain can’t wrap around certain concepts and ideas. This isn’t like English or history or biology, etc, where I can instantly understand concepts and see the perspective on multiple sides but in math I just simply cannot visualize numbers. This might sound cheesy to you, but in subjects where I naturally excel at, when I do work, I am drawn into an inner world where ideas are formed and my clarity sharpens. It’s just not like that in math classes for me. The more I think about it, the more I get confused and I accept that I’m just not talented in mathematics, although I do try.</p>
<p>I have done some research and a friend told me the course catalog and the math classes are:</p>
<p>MATH 161, 162 Calculus for the Life Sciences I, II (4) (4) GE B1</p>
<p>I have taken Geometry, Adv. Algebra, Pre-Calc, AP Statistics. I would say I got around an 78-84% for each semester for each class except a 94% on my first semester of AP stats. this year. How would I fare with these college mathematics classes I have listed would be with the limited amount of information I have told you.</p>
<p>I am willing to try extra hard but what can I do to improve? Which classes would probably be the most difficult?</p>
<p>The most important thing with math (or anything you find difficult for that matter), is to never tell yourself that you are bad at it or just can’t do it, and never accept that fact that “it just isn’t your strong point.” That’s what everyone has always told me, teachers, friends, strangers, and I was skeptical about it at first, until I made myself take classes in subjects that I thought I was just really bad in, but it turned out that if I put in the time and effort, I actually did quite well and felt really accomplished. More so than when I did well in the classes that came naturally to me. </p>
<p>I think that you can do the math. Approach it as a challenge that you will overcome. There are tutoring services on campus if you need help, and you could probably even find someone from your class or a friend you could go to if you need clarification. Also, office hours can be a great way to get to know your teachers and get some study tips. I personally don’t have much experience with math classes at Cal Poly, but I don’t think you should worry too much. If you want to improve, practice. See if there are problems online you can do. If you have time over the summer, maybe you could even take a class at community college just to get a refresher and a bit of a head start.</p>
<p>My bio friend here said that the life science calculus’s aren’t as in depth/difficult as the regular calculus series unless she got a really good professor. If you can get an awesome teacher on polyratings for math, I think that would be great! There are tons of study sessions out there. I would sign up for a workshop that goes with your math class. It takes up two hours of your time and can be extremely helpful. Some people say it is a waste of time, but it does improve scores if you complete the worksheets, take the practice exams there,etc.</p>
There are tons of study sessions out there. I would sign up for a workshop that goes with your math class. It takes up two hours of your time and can be extremely helpful. Some people say it is a waste of time, but it does improve scores if you complete the worksheets, take the practice exams there,etc.</p>