Taking a Year Off: Advice Requested

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematics undergraduate considering taking a year off before their senior year to strengthen their mathematical foundation. The participant expresses concerns about their preparedness for advanced coursework and the implications of this decision on their scholarship and university re-admission.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The participant feels they have a poor foundation in mathematics and is struggling with senior-level expectations.
  • They plan to take a year off to work and study, believing this will better prepare them for their senior year.
  • The participant acknowledges that taking a year off would mean forfeiting their scholarship and requires re-application to the university.
  • Some participants question the decision to drop out, suggesting it may be a reaction to nervousness rather than a well-considered plan.
  • The participant reflects on their academic history, noting that their earlier years were not as productive, which has contributed to their current anxiety.
  • One suggestion made is to consider attending part-time for a semester instead of taking a full year off.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness of taking a year off, with some suggesting alternatives like part-time study. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best course of action for the participant.

Contextual Notes

The participant's decision is influenced by their financial situation and the potential loss of a scholarship, which adds complexity to their considerations. There are also concerns about the adequacy of their prior coursework as preparation for advanced studies.

qspeechc
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Hi everyone

I will try to be brief. I have completed my junior year as a mathematics undergrad. I am seriously considering taking a year off before my senior year as an undergrad. This is not so rare at my university. I want to do this because I realize I have a very poor foundation in mathematics. Very poor. I have been to a few lectures for this senior year, and I am completely lost. We are expected to know amy things which I do not know. I plan to take the year off to build a solid foundation in mathematics. I also plan on working, because I can't sit at home and do nothing but study. I can also save for my studies, since I come from a poor(ish) family. I should also add that I received a scholarship for my senior year, and I will relinquish it if I take a year off. I would also have to re-apply to the university. I am quite confident I will be re-admitted -- I have asked the head of the department (HoD) about this -- but it is unclear if I will be awarded a scholarship.
I asked the HoD if he thought this is a good idea, but he didn't have any advice for me. I do not want to go to the curriculum advisor because the last time I went to see him he told me I was stupid, in thinly-veiled terms of course.

As you can see I am in quite a quandary. I'm trying to ask everyone I can for advice, so any you might have is very much appreciated. Thank-you.
 
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qspeechc said:
Hi everyone

I will try to be brief. I have completed my junior year as a mathematics undergrad. I am seriously considering taking a year off before my senior year as an undergrad. This is not so rare at my university. I want to do this because I realize I have a very poor foundation in mathematics. Very poor. I have been to a few lectures for this senior year, and I am completely lost. We are expected to know amy things which I do not know. I plan to take the year off to build a solid foundation in mathematics. I also plan on working, because I can't sit at home and do nothing but study. I can also save for my studies, since I come from a poor(ish) family. I should also add that I received a scholarship for my senior year, and I will relinquish it if I take a year off. I would also have to re-apply to the university. I am quite confident I will be re-admitted -- I have asked the head of the department (HoD) about this -- but it is unclear if I will be awarded a scholarship.
I asked the HoD if he thought this is a good idea, but he didn't have any advice for me. I do not want to go to the curriculum advisor because the last time I went to see him he told me I was stupid, in thinly-veiled terms of course.

As you can see I am in quite a quandary. I'm trying to ask everyone I can for advice, so any you might have is very much appreciated. Thank-you.

You're worried about an inadequate knowledge of math and paying tuition, so you're plan is to drop out of school and forfeit your scholarship?
 
Lol, yea, I know that sounds crazy. I've spoken to a few people -- none of them mathematicians or math students, I should add -- and they all seem to think I'm just nervous. Well yes, I am nervous about my senior year. Yes, I will forfeit a scholarship, which I know is a very silly and selfish decision. But! I really am very worried that Iam not well prepared for my senior year. The first two years of university I stuffed around. I didn't really learn much. My junior year I worked hard and I did very well, which is how I got the full scholarship (I don't like to brag, but this is a necessary part of my explanation). But the first two years where I was carrying on have really hurt me. I've sat in a few lectures now and I really am lost. If I don't take the year off, I might pass, but it'snot likely I will do well. Then I won't get into grad school. That sucks because what I want most in life is a mathematics PhD. I just feel that if I take this year off, work and study in my free time, I can do much better in my senior year, and that will place me in a better position.
I won't just be lazing about. I plan to look for work and save the money to go towards my tuition. Ultimately what I do is my decision. My mother thinks it is a bad idea. My sister doesn't know; neither does the department head. My friends just think I'm nervous. As you can see I'm quite confused.

EDIT: you might be wondering how I managed to stuff up in my first two years but aced my junior year.
First two years I did: calc; ODEs; PDEs; linear- and abstract- algebra.
Junior year: real analysis in one variable; complex analysis (Conway); topics in analysis; topics in algebra.
So none of the stuff I did in the first two years was really a prereq for anything in my junior year. Topics in algebra was sort of stand-alone, mostly category theory stuff. I did so poorly in my first two years I was nearly kicked out. I've also taken a lot of applied math courses: I didn't know whether to go pure or applied. Numerical analysis I & II; mathematical modelling; mathematical physics; nonlinear ODEs; general relativity.
 
Last edited:
Why not go part time for a semester and see how that goes?
 

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