Doing bad in math class, what do I do?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a student's struggles in a Stochastic Processes course, expressing concerns about their performance and contemplating dropping the class. The scope includes personal experiences, advice on academic challenges, and strategies for improving grades.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) reports a decline in performance in Stochastic Processes, feeling overwhelmed and considering dropping the class due to poor exam results.
  • Some participants suggest discussing the situation with the professor before making a decision about dropping the class.
  • One participant notes that a withdrawal (W) may be preferable to a failing grade, emphasizing that past performance in other math classes has been strong.
  • The OP acknowledges a lack of background in probability as a contributing factor to their struggles, indicating a mix of conceptual difficulties and insufficient study time.
  • Another participant encourages the OP to review the syllabus for potential provisions that could help improve their grade, suggesting that there is still time to recover.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of consulting the professor and exploring options before deciding to drop the class. However, there is no consensus on the best course of action for the OP, as they express mixed feelings about their performance and potential solutions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the OP's emotional state and uncertainty regarding their academic abilities, as well as the varying perspectives on how to handle academic difficulties. There are references to specific course policies that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Students facing academic challenges in upper-level math courses, particularly those considering withdrawal options or seeking advice on improving performance.

SMA_01
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I'm taking Stochastic Processes this semester, and I started off doing poorly. I have tried picking up the pace and working harder ( I slacked off slightly in the beginning), and I am doing better on quizzes but I had my second exam today and don't think I did well at all. I did bad on the first exam, so my grade is low in the class. I am a senior math major, so this is not the first upper level I have taken. I have never failed a class, and am afraid that I will now. Should I drop it? I feel horrible and such a failure, but I don't know what else to do. If I do bad on this exam then I don't think i'll be able to get a decent grade in the class.
 
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Personally I would always talk to my professor before dropping a class.
 
Hortino said:
Personally I would always talk to my professor before dropping a class.

Hortino- I think I will. I feel like a failure though. I have taken Real Analysis and Abstract Algebra and other class so it's not my first upper level math class.
 
The way it sounds is that you've done well in everything up until this point, and I think one w will look better than a failing grade. And one w will not be the end of you.

Are you struggling to understand the concepts? Or are you just not putting in enough time? Or both?
 
I have done well in my other math classes, but I feel horrible about having got drop this course.

Hortino said:
Are you struggling to understand the concepts? Or are you just not putting in enough time? Or both?

I think it's a bit of both. Initially I struggled with the concepts because I didn't have much background in probability, and I am part to blame because I should've put in more time.
 
Talk to the professor first. Also you have what, half the semester left? You can often do much better than you think you will if you work hard, even when it's not been going so well. Look at the syllabus, there are usually provisions for this sort of scenario (e.g. final replaces a midterm, or x # of homeworks are dropped etc).
 

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