Help! Dealing with Math Demoralization

[NelsonsXanadu]

Demoralized with Math! :(

.I come to you, in need of guidance... I just failed my first two College Algebra II tests. I'm thinking of withdrawing from the course, so it doesn't hamper my GPA. But I know I must re-engage Algebra II in battle again eventually. My problem is, while I like math, I have a horrible HORRIBLE memory. When I read stuff, most of it doesn't stick. I can read a small article on say... Herman Melville. And not remember a single thing like 2 days later. I'm not joking. The same goes for math equation, formula's and steps on how to solve problems. Also I can't look at a problem is logically think how to solve it. I think of math and problems in general as fragmented tiny solutions to each problem, I can't really see it "altogether"...I've gotten various books, watched many online video's about math, but I just can't seem to see what everyone else see's.

I hope I'm making some sort of sense here. Anyway I'd appreciate any suggestions and ideas for improving my ability to take in and keep information, and an increase in my logic thinking. I want to like math, but I'm so demoralized right now, I just can't seem to stick with it...

 

[Catsworth]

I don't know how helpful this will be but stop worrying about your gpa. First, if you plan on moving on to any science or engineering program they are not going to care about what grade you got in algebra 2, as long as you can improve in subsequent classes. Second, look at switching to a pass/no pass grade. At the community college I go to you can switch to that grade option up to 2/3 of the way into the term and you can avoid a hit to your gpa. Just stick with it and do what you have to to reduce the pressure of maintaining a gpa.

 

[Mathnomalous]

Review and internalize the basics. Other than that, I feel a good approach is to practice and think about what you practice on. Searching for and finding relationships, patterns, and ways to play around with these helps solidify knowledge.

Don't get too frustrated with it all. If you adapt study methods that do work and discard study methods/habits that do not, you should be able to become acceptably proficient, sooner or later.

Just keep practicing, thinking, and practicing some more.

 

[Hurkyl]

Try doing it rather than just reading it.

 

[CheckMate]

You're worring just about Math?

I have to worry about Everything (Physics, Math, Chem, and Programming)

The first 3 I believe I can survive. The last one is a fail for me.

 

[Dembadon]

One should heed Hurkyl's words.

Math texts aren't to be read like literature. You need to go slow! It is not uncommon for me to read something many times over before I understand it. You should also have a pencil in hand, along with substantial amounts of paper, so that you can work through the section's example problems as you go.

Also, consider the homework problems you're assigned to be the bare minimum! Your goal should not be to get a good score on the homework, but rather to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it. Start asking yourself questions like, "Why am I allowed to do this?"

Mathematics is beautiful and humbling. Attempting to learn it by memorization is, essentially, murdering the subject.

 

[jeffasinger]

I Second the reading math texts slowly.

On occasion, and with one text in particular, I've needed to spend well more than an hour on just two or three sentences.

Also, never be satisfied just getting a solution to a problem, you should also aim to deeply understand why that answer is true.

 

[Kevin_Axion]

Always challenge yourself! Do problems that aren't covered and see if you can solve them. If you can, it gives you confidence, I think that's what you're primarily lacking.

 

[NelsonsXanadu]

Do you guys think I should withdraw from the course? I'd like to transfer to another college and I don't want them seeing that I failed such an easy course... But it may look even worse that I withdrew and just "gave up"..

 

[Daverz]

And not remember a single thing like 2 days later. I'm not joking. The same goes for math equation, formula's and steps on how to solve problems.

You should not be relying on recall of something from days ago. You need to work problems until solving them becomes second nature. Before any test, rework all the old homework and previous tests and quizzes.

Also I can't look at a problem is logically think how to solve it. I think of math and problems in general as fragmented tiny solutions to each problem, I can't really see it "altogether"...I've gotten various books, watched many online video's about math, but I just can't seem to see what everyone else see's.

This approach is entirely too passive. You need to work problems, and then things will start to fall into place through practice.