I - ly - trouble with calculus class

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    Calculus Class
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a student's struggles with Calculus 1 in their first year of engineering studies. The participant expresses concern over poor exam performance and seeks advice on improving understanding and grades, while also contemplating dropping the course due to fear of failing.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • The student reports a significant drop in performance from previous math studies, receiving a C and an F in two exams, and questions the possibility of achieving an A in the course.
  • Some participants suggest that the student may not have a chance to get an A, but could potentially achieve a low B if they perform well on the final exam.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of the professor's teaching style and accent, with some participants arguing that the student is still responsible for the material covered.
  • Several participants inquire about the availability of online resources, lecture notes, and the student's study methods to assess if exam technique might be an issue.
  • Participants recommend various calculus textbooks, including Larson's text, "Calculus" by Adams, and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus," noting their clarity and helpfulness.
  • Suggestions for additional resources include Khan Academy for foundational learning and the idea of attending office hours for extra help.
  • One participant shares their personal experience of initially struggling with calculus but later improving through focused study and practice, emphasizing that not achieving an A is not the end of the world.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions regarding the student's chances of improving their grade, the effectiveness of the professor's teaching, and the best resources for studying calculus. There is no consensus on a single solution or approach to the student's difficulties.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights various assumptions about the effectiveness of different study methods and resources, as well as the impact of teaching styles on student understanding. There are unresolved questions about the student's exam techniques and the specific content covered in the course.

Who May Find This Useful

Students struggling with calculus, particularly in engineering programs, and those seeking advice on study strategies and resources for improving their understanding of calculus concepts.

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I need help -- urgently -- trouble with calculus class

heyy everyone,
I actually have a problem regarding calculus 1, I study engineering and its my first year
I actually have always did reaally well in math in olevels but when I came to cal one don't know what happened basically !
I got a C in my exam one which is a 15% of my final grade and now got an F (48%) in my exam two which is also a 15% of my final grade and don't know what to do know 2 more exams are left other than the final 30%. do think I have a chance of getting an A. to be honest I was actually considering dropping out of it being afarid to get an f.

okay I barely understand anything in class that's right, but our prof is quite very boring and you can't understand his accent at all .!
But i do study like math is the most subject I study and I do questions from the book and everything don't know why though in exams I just mess it up.

I really need advice! and what do i have to do basically. I don't want my gpa to drop down cause math is 4 credit hours I actually look for increasing my gpa from 3.4 I have !
 
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Can you resit any of the exams? What are you studying at home and does it relate to the syllabus? Also can you get access to online lecture notes?

If you've covered all the above then is your exam technique an issue?
 
lol said:
heyy everyone,
I actually have a problem regarding calculus 1, I study engineering and its my first year
I actually have always did reaally well in math in olevels but when I came to cal one don't know what happened basically !
I got a C in my exam one which is a 15% of my final grade and now got an F (48%) in my exam two which is also a 15% of my final grade and don't know what to do know 2 more exams are left other than the final 30%. do think I have a chance of getting an A. to be honest I was actually considering dropping out of it being afarid to get an f.

You probably don't have a chance to get an A, I would say if you do really well on the final you could get a low B (but that depends on how well you're doing on the other 40% of your grade).

okay I barely understand anything in class that's right, but our prof is quite very boring and you can't understand his accent at all .!
But i do study like math is the most subject I study and I do questions from the book and everything don't know why though in exams I just mess it up.

The fact that you "barely understand anything in class" should be a warning. Again, talk to your professor and maybe try and get a tutor or help from a fellow classmate.

The excuse that your professor is boring and hard to understand is completely invalid, unless he is deliberately testing you on irrelevant material, you are responsible for the material that is covered, read from the textbook if you have to.
 
Sentin3l said:
You probably don't have a chance to get an A, I would say if you do really well on the final you could get a low B (but that depends on how well you're doing on the other 40% of your grade).
The fact that you "barely understand anything in class" should be a warning. Again, talk to your professor and maybe try and get a tutor or help from a fellow classmate.

The excuse that your professor is boring and hard to understand is completely invalid, unless he is deliberately testing you on irrelevant material, you are responsible for the material that is covered, read from the textbook if you have to.
I have a 30% left from exam 3 and 4. and 30% for final exam. and 10% for homework's that's how the grading goes for this class. so I have a 70% left not a 40%.
I do use the textbook but it doesn't help me understand that much to be honest.
 
Ripley said:
Can you resit any of the exams? What are you studying at home and does it relate to the syllabus? Also can you get access to online lecture notes?

If you've covered all the above then is your exam technique an issue?

I do have access to all the lectures online they are all posted in canvas after class and the homework's are posted on webassign.

Im not sure if he will retest exam 2.
 
The professor's accent doesn't explain why the book is not of much help.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
The professor's accent doesn't explain why the book is not of much help.
Could You guest a good book for calculus one ?!
 
I'm using Larson's text to learn it independent of class, since I'm taking trig right now. It's pretty clear.
 
Unsure how relevant my suggestion is, but I have found "Calculus" by Adams to be an awesome text.
 
  • #10
I'm unsure what is covered in calc 1 as I'm in the uk but one of my favorite beginners textbook is apostles calculus vol 1.
 
  • #11
I have University Calculus Early Transcendental which is very similar to the apostles one when I checked it. but I am looking for a book that explains easily and you can understand all the different ways questions can be asked.

I also couldn't find any tutoring in my area that is helpful any other suggestions on what to do?!
 
  • #12
In high school I read "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Calculus" and I never had trouble with any calculus even through college. It's written in a fun way and has appropriate exercises and problems to foster understanding. After working through the whole thing, in college Cal 1 and 2 was pretty much just me practically falling asleep in class.

Also how in the world was that username still available?
 
  • #13
lol said:
I have University Calculus Early Transcendental which is very similar to the apostles one when I checked it. but I am looking for a book that explains easily and you can understand all the different ways questions can be asked.

I also couldn't find any tutoring in my area that is helpful any other suggestions on what to do?!

Check out Khan Academy.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

It doesn't go very in-depth, but it's certainly enough to teach you the fundamentals. Khan teaches in a very understandable manner.
 
  • #14
I was in the same boat, first time through C1 I really did poorly, perhaps you can drop to Audit or Pass/Fail - if those options are available. Next - I took C1 again - we had a winter session, so I could just focus for 5 weeks on C1. After that I got a B in C2 and DifEQ - and was able to tutor C1 and C2.
Next Calc is a "practice sport" -- in general there are 2 ways to learn, one by example, two by theory - sometimes you "get it" sometimes you have to just force your way through the steps - over and over, then a light will turn on, and it will become more clear. I had a nightmare with the memorization of the common integrals.
Also - Not getting an "A" is not the end of the world - the classes are harder and the competition is stiffer in college, but do not get too upset with the grade - Calc is a tool - it takes time to learn how to use.
 
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  • #15
go to office hours!
 
  • #16
Thank You all for replying .. I went and got the complete idiots guide to calculus and I hope it will help. I also started doing more practice problems.
 

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