I lost all faith in my education (mentally)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the frustrations and challenges faced by students in mathematics and physics courses, particularly in relation to testing experiences. Participants share their feelings about specific tests, teaching methods, and the comparative difficulty of math and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong negative reaction to a Linear Algebra/Differential Equations test, feeling unprepared and violated by the experience.
  • Another participant shares their success in a thermodynamics test, contrasting their experience with that of the first participant.
  • Concerns are raised about teaching effectiveness, with one participant noting a teacher's reading material on improving teaching skills during a test.
  • Several participants discuss their study habits and the perceived disconnect between what they studied and what was on the test.
  • One participant recounts a past experience of repeating a course due to strict grading policies that did not allow for partial credit.
  • There is a debate about the relative difficulty of math versus physics, with some participants claiming math is easier while others argue against that perspective.
  • Some participants express discomfort with the use of the term "rape" as a hyperbole for test experiences, highlighting the potential insensitivity of such language.
  • One participant suggests that the abstract nature of mathematics can be challenging, questioning its practical applications.
  • Another participant reflects on the subjective nature of finding math easier than physics, suggesting that personal experiences and course levels influence perceptions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the difficulty of math versus physics, with multiple competing views expressed. There is also disagreement regarding the appropriateness of certain language used in describing test experiences.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific teaching methods and grading policies that may affect student performance, but these are not universally applicable. The discussion includes personal anecdotes that may not represent broader educational experiences.

  • #31
cyrusabdollahi said:
You ball buster.

:D

Let me put it this way, I found the math I took to be easier for me than the physics.

yeah, that can be the case when on one hand you are doing simple algebra course and on the other some advanced quantum mechanics kind of course...

but how can we compare both...we try to apply maths to demonstrate beauty of nature
 
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  • #32
Evo said:
pattylou, you deleted your post, but I think you raised a very valid point. The word "rape" brings an act of violence to mind even for those that haven't been victimized.

I think comparing a failed test to rape is like comparing bush to hitler.

I certainly don't envy you your job on PF, but you might consider locking the thread. I'm sure someone could calculate the odds of how many women on PF have been raped.
 
  • #33
pattylou said:
I certainly don't envy you your job on PF, but you might consider locking the thread. I'm sure someone could calculate the odds of how many women on PF have been raped.

Threads don't get locked for a couple of people's vague complaints and hypersensitivity.
 
  • #34
Pengwuino said:
Threads don't get locked for a couple of people's vague complaints and hypersensitivity.
No, but they get locked when people continue to bicker over things like whether someone else is hypersensitive. You had your chance to gripe about your exam, now it's done.
 
  • #35
Never! I shall complain about this class until I'm out of it, the professor is retired, and the building the class took place in has been destroyed.
 
  • #36
Pengwuino kindly suggested an alternate thread name.
 
  • #37
Evo said:
Pengwuino kindly suggested an alternate thread name.
Much better. :approve:
 
  • #38
Don't worry about it Pengwuino. Just pick yourself and go back at it.

There was a cartoon by Gary Larson. A middle aged man is seen bolting up in bed, apparently from a dead sleep. The caption reads: Suddenly Hal realized that nobody cares what his GPA was in college.
 
  • #39
Ivan Seeking said:
Don't worry about it Pengwuino. Just pick yourself and go back at it.

There was a cartoon by Gary Larson. A middle aged man is seen bolting up in bed, apparently from a dead sleep. The caption reads: Suddenly Hal realized that nobody cares what his GPA was in college.

My grad school will care :-p
 
  • #40
Pengwuino said:
My grad school will care :-p

I know, but that too shall pass one day. The point is, don't let it get the best of you. Things are rarely as important as they seem at the time. You can only do the best that you can and you will experience failures along the way, but in the in the end you only fail if you quit. This is always true. So as long as you don't plan to quit, don't sweat it.
 
  • #41
Ivan Seeking said:
I know, but that too shall pass one day. The point is, don't let it get the best of you. Things are rarely as important as they seem at the time. You can only do the best that you can and you will experience failures along the way, but in the in the end you only fail if you quit. This is always true. So as long as you don't plan to quit, don't sweat it.

I take a different approach on life, oh well. As long as i can go to sleep at night with nothing stresseful on my mind, I am happy and I'm very succcessful at that :biggrin:
 
  • #42
JasonRox a.k.a "da Ball buster Rox" said:
Could this be because mathematics just makes more sense?

I don't know, dammit. Seesh! Leave me alone! :cry:
 
  • #43
maybe y'all just not as smart as you once thought
 
  • #44
Pengwuino, have you considered getting a note from your psychologist stating that you have a learning disability to help you get more time on your tests? :wink:
 
  • #45
TheStatutoryApe said:
Pengwuino, have you considered getting a note from your psychologist stating that you have a learning disability to help you get more time on your tests? :wink:

I could have used 4 more days and wouldn't have gotten any farther on it :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
  • #46
Integral said:
I had to repeat that class (systems of DEs). My prof wanted us to solve 3 equation systems, but did not give partial credit for approach, to get points you had to get the ARITHMIC of solving a 3X3 matrix correct. In those days I was neither accurate or quick in doing arithmetic. Of course this was when programmable calculators where just coming on the market (1975). So we could not simply enter the numbers and push a button.

hehe amuaha muahahahah

*hysterical twitch*

Yea I repeated diff eq twice. Needless to say packing a Ti-30X instead of Ti-89 in your backpack doesn't help you out that day :biggrin:
 
  • #47
Pengwuino,,
was all this group theory and related things exam..i think you should communicate more with guys like Matt,hurkyl,who can give you an idea of how much they can see with this Algebra stuff and you will develop fascination on own...
Its just a game of interest,,try mounting it...and above all ,don't care about results at the moment..Things don't take much time to change when one is determined..
 
  • #48
cyrusabdollahi said:
Math is SOOOO much easier than physics.

I feel it is the opposite. Mathematics can be too abstract and formal, while physics requires you to look at problems through a variety of concepts, and then apply the math.

I *really* wish I had the type of mind that allows one to move freely and carelessly through mathematical reality. To me, sadly, much of it remains dead formalism.

I wish I were smarter. :frown:
 
  • #49
cyrusabdollahi said:
Stop complaining. Math is SOOOO much easier than physics. I am seriously considering taking some extra math next summer for the hell of it. Maybe a course in PDE's or complex calculus. Advanced calculus seems like a good course; however, it's too formal and purely mathematics. It would be a waste of time really.

"advanced calculus" is formal & purely mathematics :smile: sounds like you haven't done any real math courses at all... :rolleyes:
 
  • #50
Yeah, my friend is a math major and has taken it. He said its mostly proofs and formalisms. That's no benifit to me as an Engineer. I'm better off taking applied mathematics.

:smile: Excuse me for not taking "real math." You and Jason are math snobs! :smile:
 
  • #51
cyrusabdollahi said:
:smile: Excuse me for not taking "real math." You and Jason are math snobs! :smile:

lol :wink:
 

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