The last day to withdraw is on November 28.
I got a 65 on my first test, and I just recently got a 44 on my second test.
I actually thought I would do better on the second test, since I actually understood more of the material.
We have 4 tests total, our next test is on November 15… each test is worth 100 points. I have that exam and then a cumulative final worth 200 points next month. I calculated that if I make the minimum passing grade of 70 on the next 2 tests, I would be able to pass with a borderline C average for the class. Like, I would be able to pass with just BARELY a C, I’m talking 6 points above a D.
Calculus is really really difficult for me. I am a CC student for right now but I’m planning on transferring to a university next Fall. My intended major is either MIS or Accounting, both of which will need Calculus eventually.
I kind of want to withdraw since I feel hopeless right now, but I don’t know how I’ll be able to tell my parents. They’re paying for my tuition so I know they’ll be really angry at me. Should I just study harder and hope I pass this semester or should I just withdraw and try much harder next semester?
I’m taking 14 credits this semester, and this class is 4 credit hours so if I were to withdraw, I wouldn’t be a full-time student anymore; but I don’t receive financial aid.
Is the class graded on a curve? Sometimes Calculus is. If your lower grades are still among the top in the class you could still end up with a decent grade. If not, are there any resources at your school to help struggling students, and if so have you tried any of those? Academic assistance, professor or teaching assistant office hours, other tutoring? There are still a couple weeks before the withdrawal deadline so you could see if those would help.
Also, talk to your parents. They might get a little mad at first, but mostly because you didn’t tell them. It is one of their jobs, to try to support you when you are struggling. Even if they can’t do much, they will probably turn out to be on your side and that will reduce some stress.
Will you need to take Calculus 2? If so, then I would be concerned about that you would are not learning the material well enough to be successful in the next math course. If you drop it would you retake in the spring at the CC? Would the professor be the same? Do you know what the root cause is? Is it that your previous math courses did not prepare you or that your study habits need work?
I know that this doesn’t answer the question. I would have a heart to heart talk with the professor to answer some of the above questions. You might want to consider the need to take a pre calculus course to straighten your foundation knowledge then take calculus again. If the your foundation is solid then get a tutor and go to office hours, do extra problem sets and see how the next test goes. If this will be your last math course the a “C” might be fine. Also, take a look at what the math courses are required for your future courses.,
@NorthernMom61 The class isn’t graded on a curve. It’s based strictly on points, we have to get a certain amount of points in order to make a certain grade. I talked to my mom about this; she was surprisingly calm and really understanding about it, she didn’t really get mad. I expected that she would give me a lecture or something.
@noname87 My last math course might inevitably be Calc II. It depends on what university I’m transferring to, but I’ll definitely have to take Calc I. I think the main reason I’m struggling is because I feel like the class moves too quickly, and of course the material builds on each other. I took precal last semester, got a C.
Anyways, thank you both for your responses. Right now I think I’m leaning toward withdrawing. I think it would be too much stress for me to try and make a C and even if I do manage to pass this class, I don’t think I would be prepared for Calc II. At least not yet.
You might want to go back and study/review what you learned in pre-calculus. A “C” in that course indicates that the foundation that you need for calculus might be weak. My daughter took a DVD pre-calculus course by Chalkdust that was decent. You might find a cheap version on EBay. Or look at online videos or use your math tutoring center if your school has one.
In your case, dropping the course might be best. However discussing your difficulties with your professor might help you make the decision. A good professor might be able to give you better insight what the root causes of your difficulties are. Ask what concepts you need to study to be better prepare for calculus. Your professor has seen endless number of students struggle and should be able to give you some advice. If you find that you need stronger understanding of the pre-calculus material then I urge you to fix that before retrying calculus. If this is the case, then I would drop the course and spend the rest of the semester studying and reviewing pre-calculus. Use the time you free up to brush up what you already learned.
Don’t feel bad. MANY study struggle with calculus.
I would advise you drop and take the W. Use the time freed up to review precalculus, including with a tutor if necessary. At this point, the odds are very low you’ll pass, and a W is MUCH better than an F (which may mean you’ll have trouble transferring down the line).
Remember that calculus will require 8-10 hours of work a week. Dedicate them to precalculus this semester, and then to Calc1 this Spring.
(It won’t go better if you don’t have precalculus basics down cold.)
Vote for drop here too, especially if you will eventually need Calc 2. I’m glad your mom wasn’t too upset; it’s better to take the “W” than a big hit to your GPA/transcript.
Can you afford private or group tutoring? Does your college offer SI (supplemental instruction)? Next time you take Calc I see if that’s a possibility right from the get-go.
My son is a pretty good math student and has to stay on top of his work in Calc 2 (same in Calc 1 and Precalc). It is not easy.
Talk to your professor about how to study for the exams, then follow the suggestions for the upcoming exam. If you still do poorly, you can drop before the deadline. If your score goes up, you can decide if dropping is necessary. Learning how to study for the tests will help you no matter when you finish calc 1.
^ with a C in precalculus, the student probably doesn’t master the basics sufficiently to understand the process of calculus. Math is cumulative. With precalculus incompletely understood and the foundations of calculus, this student can’t catch up AND learn the new material on time for the next exam. That’s why cutting losses now, taking the W, and dedicating 2 months to working hard on precalculus seems like a better use of time.