Balancing College Life: Should I Re-take Calc 2?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether a student should re-take Calculus 2 in light of parental pressure for a high GPA. The scope includes personal experiences, academic pressures, and the implications of course loads on performance, as well as considerations of future scholarship opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the pressure from parents regarding GPA and suggests that the student should assess the feasibility of achieving an A in Calculus 2 before deciding to retake it.
  • Another participant argues that a B+ will not significantly harm the student's GPA or scholarship prospects, implying that the stress of retaking the course may not be worth it.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential workload of taking Calculus 3 and Physics I alongside a part-time job, with a warning that this could lead to lower overall grades.
  • Some participants express frustration with parental expectations and suggest that students should prioritize their own academic choices over parental pressure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of retaking Calculus 2, with some advocating for the retake based on GPA concerns and others arguing against it, suggesting that a B+ is acceptable. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best course of action for the student.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the emotional and psychological impact of parental expectations on academic choices, but there is no consensus on how to balance these pressures with personal academic goals.

haxtor21
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
HS student taking calc 2 at community college. Currently I will have 2 exams left, and by the way things are going I will probably have a B. My mother has this sick obsessions that I must have a 4.0 GPA in order to get a future scholarship and acceptance at university. She made me re-take composition since i got a B+ in it.

Would it be wise to re-take calc 2 next semester, along with calc 3 and physics I ? this would go along with a part time job.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It always makes me sad to hear about these types of parents. My parents would hit me with a stick if I got a C on my report card.

OP: are you sure it is mathematically impossible to get an A in Calc 2? If it is still possible, then I would work my tail off the rest of this semester. If you do retake Calc 2, consider that that extra class may result you in getting NO A's next semester, because of the extra load. Then what will you do?
 
No, it's stupid. If you have good reason to believe that you'll get a scholarship to at least some university then she shouldn't be on your back about it. If you've presented a good argument and proof etc. and she keeps whining about it, tell her to go to hell. Well, maybe. You'll have to weigh your options with the normal behavior of your parents and see if the benefits are worth the 'risks'.
 
That a bit extreme and unnecessary. Especially with that B+, in the long run that B+ will not hurt your GPA but that much. At least not to the point where if you gotten an A you would have gotten X scholarship at X University.


Plus, since you have two exams left I'm sure there is a good possibility that you can push yourself to that A. Physics I is going to be pretty time extensive and calc 3 is going to be similar to calc 2 in terms of work load. If you think you can handle all that and still make all As then have fun. IMO that kinda workload isn't worth the difference from B to A

My family can be a bit like that too, but I stopped taking orders regarding my academic life a long time ago. It always makes me sad to see students taking majors because their parents made them take it. Then again I don't have that problem so I can't really see it from their perspective.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
7K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K