Former foster youth, need mentoring

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenges faced by a former foster youth seeking guidance in computer science and mathematics. Participants offer various suggestions for navigating educational pathways and improving understanding of coursework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Homework-related, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a need for mentorship in computer science and mathematics due to a challenging educational background.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on specific difficulties the original poster is experiencing.
  • A suggestion is made to provide details about the original poster's current educational status, including their level of math proficiency and programming languages learned.
  • One participant recommends a specific book on problem-solving in C++ as a resource for learning.
  • Another participant advises starting at a community college and seeking counseling from both official counselors and successful students, emphasizing the importance of foundational math skills.
  • A later reply reassures the original poster of their intelligence and encourages them to explore topics of interest independently.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of seeking guidance and resources, but there are differing opinions on the best starting point for the original poster's education and the specific steps to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not established a consensus on the most effective educational pathway or resources for the original poster, and there are varying assumptions about their current level of knowledge and experience.

awk'/ward/'tux
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Hello everyone, I'm not here to make a huge deal out of my past, but unfortunately I was dealt a few bad cards in the beginning. I really need someone that has studied computer science and kind of knows the ropes. I am very passionate about this, and I study 8 hours a day. But I feel lost under a pile of coursework I can't fully grasp. I don't know how to navigate college as my parents didn't even graduate high school. I was in and out of school until I became a foster kid Halfway through my freshman year of high school. I love math, but was just never able to get it due to the lack of schooling my former years.

If anyone would be interested, that would be great. I am pretty self dependent and can grow off of the direction I am sent in. I just don't know where to start.
 
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What in particular is causing you difficulties?
 
You have to tell us where you are. Are you a high schooler? In college? What level of math are you comfortable with, algebra, calculus, complex analysis, etc? What programming languages have you learned?

My first advice is to buy the book "Engineering Problem-Solving in C++" by Etter (I think) and read it and do the exercises.
 
Start at a community college, and TRY, try to get counseling, both from the official counselors and from currently successful students. How are you with Algebra? If none, then start in Pre-Algebra if possible. If you are good with Basic Math and Basic Arithmetic, then maybe "Algebra 1" would be a good first mathematics choice. Accept any lower course if the counseling assessment test indicates it.
 
I can tell by your name your not stupid, just read up on topics posted that you are interested in.
 

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