Positive Thinking: Math Struggles & How to Overcome Them

[LT72884]

All right guys. A lil history bout me. in high school (10 years ago) i hated math, now i like it. Never went far with it in high school. Failed trig a year and a half ago. had to retake. Now I am in my first EVER calc2 class. Finished calc 1 with a high 80's (87 or so). Now I am in calc2 and i bombed my first test. 66% average was about 60% or so. I LOVE my instructor and i had him for calc1. So, guidance from people would be nice. I am trying to stay positive and realize that its just a test. its the learning i need to focus on. I have tried to understand the material but it is soooooo new to me and i have no physics behind me at all either. Mainly, its knowing which formula to use. it took me 4 or 5 hours to complete 4 volume problems... it just makes no sense. haha. anyway i find positive thinking is a BIG key to figuring out what to do next

He doesn't curve. Our school doesn't allow it for certain math classes. makes it harder.

thanks guys

 

[ChaseDuncan]

Mainly, its knowing which formula to use.

This approach has never worked for me. If I understand the logic behind the ideas and I understand where the formulas come from, then I do well on tests. Some people make 'plug and chug' work but I see very few doing it successfully(at least by my standards). I never could and I've always been quite successful in my math classes.

it took me 4 or 5 hours to complete 4 volume problems...

This is not an inordinate amount of time to spend on new material. I've spent ~12 hours in the past two days working on 12 homework problems.

 

[LT72884]

This approach has never worked for me. If I understand the logic behind the ideas and I understand where the formulas come from, then I do well on tests. Some people make 'plug and chug' work but I see very few doing it successfully(at least by my standards). I never could and I've always been quite successful in my math classes.



This is not an inordinate amount of time to spend on new material. I've spent ~12 hours in the past two days working on 12 homework problems.

My problem was knowing when to use it or which one. haha. I now the logic behind the formulas for the most part. IE w=fd, but using an integrated approach. However, it is hard for me to see how the force or distance is in the equation. IE a 120 foot cable hanging off the roof. how much work does it take to wind it up? it weighs 3lb/ft. i did not study those enough and my grade reflects it. haha I need to study more honestly
, or at least i think i do.

thanks