I've finally hit a wall with math

RufusDawes

There are always trades and traineeships. Get out of university while you're young. It can be a life ruiner.

MarneMath

I find the above responsive a bit extreme. The guy is having problem in math and doing well in his other classes, so therefore he should quit and and do something else entirely? Seriously?

I think a good number of people struggle in one area in college. It happens. You might fail. That happens too! But guess what, you figure out why and overcome it. I failed Physics I when I was 18 and just out of high school. I dropped out of college, went to the military, got out and went back to college and passed it was a 98. Not only passed that course, but every other physics course I encountered afterward.

While you can argue I matured a bit and learn to study. The thing is that when I was failing Physics I with a 40, I went to the professor daily with help, I went to nearly every study group. I just could not pass a test for the life of me. During my time in the military, I spent a lot of time talking to a lot of different people, but one person who helped me the most was an Officer with a math degree, and he taught me a new way to study that I just wasn't aware of when I was an 18 year old kid. So, what does this mean? You can overcome this. Don't let the negativity from others keep you from trying to obtain your goals.

RufusDawes

Nah I know everything about life.

Group_Complex

As long as his goal is not to become a Mathematician. I am sorry, but some people just have a better aptitude for mathematics and physics than others, and it may get to a point where all apptitude is gone.

MathWarrior

"Attitude not aptitude determines altitude."

Anyone can go far in math.

Group_Complex

If by far you mean do mathematical research then that is clearly not true.

Best Pokemon

http://terrytao.wordpress.com/career...s-to-do-maths/

clope023

This is bull, studying for complex variables will not be the same as studying for calc 1-3; it doesn't mean they've reached a limit it means they're studying the wrong way.

micromass

Got anything to back up these statements??

DrummingAtom

Of course he doesn't. If you read his other posts he has concerns about doubting his own ability so he comes on here and tries to make others feel bad.

micromass

I know it's rubbish, but I thought I would give him a chance to defend himself.

WannabeNewton

Everyone was thinking this but you were the only one brave enough to say it :p

dkotschessaa

Yes, I can't believe what I'm reading about "mathematical limit" and "mathematical walls" and so forth. Full on, unmitigated BS.

There are so many conditions that can determine how you are doing in a class. The time spent, the quality of the time, the quality of the teaching, the resources, how pedantic your teacher is in grading, etc. (Note the absence of the word "aptitude.")

In the scope of your entire career, of which your degree is but one part, and your classes a part of that, your math classes at this point are just a particular hurdle you're going to have to figure out. There is no one answer. You might have to retake a class. You might have to take less classes so you can spend more time on it (and yes, this is more time and possibly tuition.)

There's teacher office hours, online resources (khan academy!), supplemental books, this forum, tutors, improved study habits, repetition, pondering, brute force of will, commitment, time management, stress reduction, meditation, diet, sleep, and exercise. Note again the absence of the word aptitude.

By the way - what kind of things are holding you back? Is it little "dumb mistakes" or a failure to grasp some of the concepts? What might be mischaracterized as "aptitude" is often just some sort of neurological brain fart (a.d.d., dyscalcula/dyslexia, working memory problems, etc.) that can be addressed in direct ways.

-Dave K

dkotschessaa

Ah, so Group complex has a complex. And one other guy was probably being sarcastic. So 60% of the replies here are pretty much bogus.

-Dave K

MarcZZ

It's just kind of a mix of a bunch of things. Firstly, I underestimated the course and what I needed to study, I suppose I came off feeling a little to sure of my footing from Calculus I and thought that I would be able to grasp integrals as readily as I grasped derivatives (big mistake), I did study and I did all my assignments and did well on them, and managed to answer most of the bonus questions in the book that my professor recommended. However, come test day I went in with about 3 days previous worth of pretty solid math concept practice behind me and I just got absolutely clobbered and only managed to get 30% on the midterm, (the class average was 39%) unfortunately this midterm was weighted as 20% of my mark so I took a huge beating from it. I know it's not the end of the world one bad midterm, but since then I feel I've been struggling to catch up, I went to the professor, I've gotten a tutor, I'm doing whatever I can to try to get ready for the next midterm. However it's next week, and I don't think I'm going to perform well on it, my grades have gone down in my recent assignments, and I'm not understanding the material.

I would invest even more time into this course but by now I'm just completely stressed out, I'm also juggling another nasty time sucking course (E&M) which I'm doing very well in thanks to hard work, and I am very weary of trying to save Calculus II which I don't think I'm going to be able to salvage this semester anyways by this point, and risk killing my E&M mark at the same time. I am just really bothered as I had a similar thing happen to me in LA last semester where I got a (12%) on my first midterm, though I survived that course through sheer grit and all nighters. But I'm not pleased with the mark I got in that course, and I don't have the determination to do that this time as I have practically 0 confidence. My academic advising center has suggested I've developed a math test anxiety. I most certainly have some sort, as I feel stress is obstructing everything I do with this course.

I'm already behind in my studies when I came into university I failed my MPT which set me back a semester last year, then I had second doubts about what I want to major in so took some different courses, now I have a good idea, however I don't think I'll be able to handle the major I'm aiming for if I can't handle 3 tough courses at once, I just feel I'm never going to graduate and that I can't afford to keep treading water in university anymore trying to juggle courses which I'm not passing, and getting nowhere. I haven't failed a course yet, and I have a reasonably high average outside of math (3.7 in Chem, 3.5 in Physics), but I'm just getting slaughtered in math and worried that this is a sign of things to come, and I can't afford to keep taking reduced course load semesters just so I can pass math courses.

I'm in a particular pickle with this course as it is a co-requisite for the Physics I'm doing well in, so if I drop it I won't be able to finish my Physics course, and then I totally waste tons of money this semester for nothing. But I'm destined to get a F on my transcript which I hear has negative ramifications for job prospects afterwards. I'm kind of just wondering if I should go to trade school, because my job prospects afterwards might be ruined by these bad math grades. :/

symbolipoint

dkotschessaa at least makes some sense. At least doesn't seem too extreme or onesided. Some sensible points are made: Posts #30 and 31.

Aptitude has some significance in learning Mathematics, but effort and studying intelligently are still mandatory. Some people learn Mathematics slower than others. The educational systems are set to make some of them feel bad. Basically if you not pass a course, you must retake it. If you retake it too many times, the school prohibits you from retaking it again - but you should have gotten the help you needed before that.

dkotschessaa

So, I think it's pretty clear that this has nothing to do with aptitude. It's stress, time, and a whole bunch of other factors.

I've never heard of a job asking for transcripts! They look at the degree, maybe what classes you had, what other kinds of things you have done (research, internships, etc). Have you not heard "D is for diploma!" Maybe you won't get the highest honors, etc, which of course we all want. There's lots of stuff you can do.

Talk honestly to your advisors and professors about your concern for your grades and co-requisites and what not, and see what they say. I mean really honestly, like "I'm stuck and I'm freaking out." They want you to do well, and at least get your degree, even if it feels like they are trying to kill you. That co-req/pre-req stuf stuff is not always as set in stone as it looks...Sometimes they can be flexible, especially if you are doing well in other classes and showing commitment.

-Dave K