I did poorly on my first calc 1 exam any tips ?

[Specialist_Judge3357]

Hello everyone since 2015 I had leukemia the placement test i took back then for math i did very poorly.

In 2021 I came back to CC I took the placement test again I score very high into it I was placed into the higher math I took survey mathematics then I did a major swap to start pre med I took stats,im in calc 1 now I never took college algebra or trig or pre calc since I scored High in the placement test knowing I didn’t need to do any of the rest.

I didn’t do well on my first calc 1 exam I got a 61% seems like I struggled a bit anything I can do to improve at this point im scared i will fail my next exam for calc im clueless atm?

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[deleted1079620]

Does your school offer tutoring, have graduate teaching assistants, or office hours? Are you practicing problems on your own and then going to you professor/TA for help where you’re getting stuck? Are you creating practice exams from the lecture material so you can narrow down your weaknesses before the exam?

 

[Specialist_Judge3357]

Does your school offer tutoring, have graduate teaching assistants, or office hours? Are you practicing problems on your own and then going to you professor/TA for help where you’re getting stuck? Are you creating practice exams from the lecture material so you can narrow down your weaknesses before the exam?

Yes but the tutor from the school wants me to learn factoring and some trig before I continue with him.

I did she wants me to do same thing and exactly yes but since it’s a summer session there limited time.

 

[bomba]

Have you talked to your professor? Sounds like it's possible that your foundational math skills are more rusty than initially anticipated. Explain your situation to the professor--maybe they'll work with you and grant you an incomplete. Either way, get ahead of this now; don't let it linger until it's too late.

 

[Specialist_Judge3357]

Have you talked to your professor? Sounds like it's possible that your foundational math skills are more rusty than initially anticipated. Explain your situation to the professor--maybe they'll work with you and grant you an incomplete. Either way, get ahead of this now; don't let it linger until it's too late.

Yes I have classes started May 18.

I can’t now plus it delays me from graduating to university.

Only option I have now is get a private tutor.

 

[bomba]

Personally I can't imagine taking calculus without exposure to college algebra/trigonometry. Regardless of your placement score, it seems extremely cavalier of an advisor to allow you to skip that sequence of topics--they are setting you up to fail. I would caution you to look at the big picture here. Mastery of algebraic concepts will have a major impact on your ability to perform well in not just math, but physics, chemistry, and a myriad of other subjects depending on your major.

I'll provide you a cautionary tale. My high school was a nasty place--gangs, shootings, stabbings, assaults on faculty, you name it. Needless to say, we weren't known for our academic prowess, which was reflected in the 60% graduation rate for the student body. I had major gaps in my education. My first year at university was a spectacular failure; I crashed and burned. Same story for my second year. At that point I gave up and decided to resign myself to a career in construction. Years later I wanted more for myself, so I decided to go back to school. This time I started with remedial coursework and received all As from elementary algebra through calculus 1. The point is that for a subject like math everything builds upon itself. If you are struggling with factoring and trigonometry, that is a major red flag for me. Maybe stepping back from this course will be a hit to your ego or slightly delay the course of your education, but think of the larger impact that can result from not having the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in future coursework.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Do with it what you will and best of luck in whatever path you decide.

 

[Specialist_Judge3357]

Personally I can't imagine taking calculus without exposure to college algebra/trigonometry. Regardless of your placement score, it seems extremely cavalier of an advisor to allow you to skip that sequence of topics--they are setting you up to fail. I would caution you to look at the big picture here. Mastery of algebraic concepts will have a major impact on your ability to perform well in not just math, but physics, chemistry, and a myriad of other subjects depending on your major.

I'll provide you a cautionary tale. My high school was a nasty place--gangs, shootings, stabbings, assaults on faculty, you name it. Needless to say, we weren't known for our academic prowess, which was reflected in the 60% graduation rate for the student body. I had major gaps in my education. My first year at university was a spectacular failure; I crashed and burned. Same story for my second year. At that point I gave up and decided to resign myself to a career in construction. Years later I wanted more for myself, so I decided to go back to school. This time I started with remedial coursework and received all As from elementary algebra through calculus 1. The point is that for a subject like math everything builds upon itself. If you are struggling with factoring and trigonometry, that is a major red flag for me. Maybe stepping back from this course will be a hit to your ego or slightly delay the course of your education, but think of the larger impact that can result from not having the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in future coursework.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Do with it what you will and best of luck in whatever path you decide.

It’s technically his fault I swapped two majors to get into biology bachelors I was doing cyber security before this it also required calc and stats since I didn’t have room to he told me do calc I wish I would of known this earlier.

I’m scared to failed and have to retake it at next school.

 

[deleted1079620]

Yes but the tutor from the school wants me to learn factoring and some trig before I continue with him.

I did she wants me to do same thing and exactly yes but since it’s a summer session there limited time.

Then you need to learn factoring and trig. Ultimately if you drop this course and take it later or fail it and take it again, you’re still going to need your fundamental math skills moving forward. No matter whose fault it is, you have to move forward and make a decision about this class. One poor math grade won’t ruin you forever.

 

[Specialist_Judge3357]

Then you need to learn factoring and trig. Ultimately if you drop this course and take it later or fail it and take it again, you’re still going to need your fundamental math skills moving forward. No matter whose fault it is, you have to move forward and make a decision about this class. One poor math grade won’t ruin you forever.

Right do you think medical school Mind ?

If I have room in next university I will try to take the basics if they let me.

 

[deleted1079620]

Right do you think medical school Mind ?

If I have room in next university I will try to take the basics if they let me.

I think if you drop it and take your fundamentals and come back and do well in calc med schools either won’t know or won’t care.

If you fail it, take the fundamentals and do well in calc the second time, it will be a small blip on your overall application.

 

[MedicallyEnthused]

It is also noteworthy that very few med schools require calculus as a pre-req. I think only about ~20 in the entire US.
So unless it is required by your major, you may not need it (unless you want to go to one of these specific schools).