Starting College After Deployment: Math, Engineering and More

[Tarren]

Well I am finally going to start college in the summer or fall. I will be 24. I am in the Army and currently deployed to Iraq but I will be getting out in June. haven't quite decided what I am going to do yet though. But most of my options include a heavy dose of math and physics; engineering, computer science etc.

As of right now my math knowledge is practically null. Pretty much a basic understanding of Algebra. That's what I get for not paying attention in high school and playing Army for the last 5 years. I am anxious to get started. I not want to be too far behind when I do start school. Can anyone point me in the right direction to any online material, e-books that are good for beginners?

Currently my plan is to go to a community college for 2 years or so and then transfer to university. Does this look bad later on when I want to go to grad school? I plan on going to a school in Texas to take full advantage of the financial benefits. What are some good engineering schools in Texas? I will be basically starting from scratch. I never took the SATs or ACTs as I didn't care in high school, which is why I am in the military. But my point of view is drastically different now days.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Here is my response to a similar thread elsewhere

Here is my story if you care to know:

I dropped out of high school years ago because my grades were terrible. My grades were so bad because I just plain hated school.

Fives years after I decided to give it another try. I got my GED and enrolled in my Community College.

Fortunately, my CC had what they called a "joint admissions" program. They worked very closely with the colleges and universities in my state to ensure that whatever credits you earn will transfer (provided you maintain a minimum GPA).

They had a two-year engineering science degree which more or less covers the 1st two years of any engineering discipline.

We had very small classroom sizes, so I got very personal attention and saved thousands of dollars by doing the first two years there. I now attend a top 50 university and because of the grades I received at CC, the university is picking up half of the tuition (about 50 grand when all is said and done).

Not to mention that the quality of education I got at my CC prepared me such that I am now DESTROYING my university courses (in a good way).

Of course your experience may differ. That was mine. I suggest you search around and find out about the different CCs in your area.

Oh, and this route got me out of taking any SATs or ACTs (yay!)

~Casey

 

[DarrenM]

http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/beg_algebra/

That is a link to the West Texas A&M University Beginning Algebra site. They have 36 different tutorials; I suggest you start with the very first. Even if you're familiar with some of the content, it's not a bad idea to review some of it before going back to school.

Basic stuff, but a very good review of that basic stuff. I hope that helps.

Edit: Thanks for posting that, Saladsamurai. As a nontraditional student myself I can say that it is encouraging to read about other people's experiences returning to school.