I’m currently a senior this year. I took Algebra 1 in eighth grade, Geometry 9th, Alg 2 10th, and Precalc 11th. After a couple of days in Calculus, I just felt like I would not succeed in the class. I stressed over it and even cried. I managed to push myself to drop it and switch into College Algebra/Trig which is kinda like Precalc. And now I don’t know how to feel. I just feel lost and confused. Is Calculus really important? Will I not succeed if I don’t take it in here then school? I’m not sure on what major I want, but Accounting is kinda life my safety net. I just need some advice. Did I make an ok decision? Or did I screw things over for myself in the future.
I am not taking Calculus either, I don’t think it matters
If accounting is your safety net, then you should definitely take calculus. Colleges also like to see students challenging themselves, and skipping out on calculus because you don’t feel like you may get a good grade may hurt you. Many majors involve math in some sort of way.
It’s too late to agonize whether or not to take calculus. You have decided not to. This will not ruin your life. You have made a decision, so stick with it, no regrets (what good are regrets at this point? They’ll cause stress and anxiety and hinder production rather than push it forward). You will be OKAY!!!
Just keep swimming
Dont worry i am not taking calculus , I am taking college classes while in highschool, right know the college classes is business law 1 online and principles of financial accounting. I took a accounting class called federal income tax at the college last year. I found it hard because i was 17 at the time and never worked with taxes. I know i am going to take mangerial accounting (gonna be painful) and introduction to business durning my next college semester. But i am going most likely going to have a extra spot for a another college class. My options are college personal finance , accounting software applications (quickbooks) or a college english class called writing and inquiry. out of those 3 options which one should i pick?
Most careers don’t require calc knowledge. Stats is much more relevant unless you’re going into a small group of STEM oriented careers like engineering.
Colleges are looking for a rigorous senior year; that being said, they are NOT looking for a senior year that could kill you. If you don’t feel comfortable in a course, don’t take it. Think about it like this: NO admissions officer is going to deny you simply because you didn’t take one course in high school. Focus on making the rest of your app as good as it can get, because stressing about something you can’t change is a surefire way of losing the good chances that you have otherwise
You’re better off backing off and getting a good SOLID foundation in pre-Calc than pushing Calc and not learning what you need to know to move forward. You won’t be the only student taking Calc as a freshman - if you need to take it. The real mistake is taking no math senior year then having to jump back in and take it freshman year after a year off…
I teach in a college prep high school. It’s a very rare year when ANY of our kids don’t go to college.
This year I’ll have 5 senior Precalc classes of 32-38 student each. (Last year I had 42 in my 9th period!) My friend will have 2 more classes.
That’s an awful lot of seniors who have opted not to take Calculus!
You’ll be fine.
This would only be an issue applying into a STEM major or applying into a top-tier USNWR ranked college. There are thousands of colleges and many great ones where it will not matter.
Unless you are applying to a top tier college or a school that recommends applicants take high school calculus you should be fine. Accounting majors take a semester of calculus but hopefully you will be better prepared for that if you have precalculus this year.
I think your fine admissions wise so try not to worry. With that said, Calc AB satisfies the math requirement for most business programs and it’s certainly nice to come in with that box checked. No reason you can’t fulfill the requirement in college though.