Pre-cal sucks, what should I do

[Samiamm]

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So i'm majoring in bio-chem and I'm required to take calc 1 and 2 along with diff equations.

Right now I'm in pre-calc and it sucks. Don't get me wrong its easy, but the work is just long and tedious, and the math isn't fun because we just do math problem after math problem, with no real applications. The teacher also sucks, he just goes over examples on the board, and seems like he's relearning the material himself, as he makes several mistakes I have to call him out on. My favorite thing about math was the applying it, but we don't do any of that. I'm getting discouraged though because this class really sucks. I'm just wondering, is it only pre-cal that is like this, and not calculus, because I guess pre-cal helps you "build the tools" necessary for calculus, or are all math classes after this going to be the same, long, tedious, bull**** math problems over and over again?

 

[Samiamm]

and if so I can opt out for a bio-chem double major

 

[Acetone2]

Pre-Calc prepares you for the required math skill.
Trust me calculus will be a little different. Pre-Calc has some trig and algebra.
Calculus is more application problems but often times long ones. Calc I is not that bad but Calc II could be tedious. Just learn to love derivatives and you will be gold.
Also, this is just based on my experience. Different schools have different curriculum.

 

[JorgeWashington]

So i'm majoring in bio-chem and I'm required to take calc 1 and 2 along with diff equations.

Right now I'm in pre-calc and it sucks. Don't get me wrong its easy, but the work is just long and tedious, and the math isn't fun because we just do math problem after math problem, with no real applications. The teacher also sucks, he just goes over examples on the board, and seems like he's relearning the material himself, as he makes several mistakes I have to call him out on. My favorite thing about math was the applying it, but we don't do any of that. I'm getting discouraged though because this class really sucks. I'm just wondering, is it only pre-cal that is like this, and not calculus, because I guess pre-cal helps you "build the tools" necessary for calculus, or are all math classes after this going to be the same, long, tedious, bull**** math problems over and over again?

Well, to me, it sounds like you are whining. Haven't you taken 12+ years of math classes, consisting of problem after problem. Calculus will be the same. Physics will have those application, and you may need calc for physics (but not necessarily). Math is not fun to everyone, but most people would agree, it isn't that bad. Sounds like you don't have a great attitude about the class and are more focused on finding the mistakes your teacher makes.

 

[zipnogg]

So i'm majoring in bio-chem and I'm required to take calc 1 and 2 along with diff equations.

Right now I'm in pre-calc and it sucks. Don't get me wrong its easy, but the work is just long and tedious, and the math isn't fun because we just do math problem after math problem, with no real applications. The teacher also sucks, he just goes over examples on the board, and seems like he's relearning the material himself, as he makes several mistakes I have to call him out on. My favorite thing about math was the applying it, but we don't do any of that. I'm getting discouraged though because this class really sucks. I'm just wondering, is it only pre-cal that is like this, and not calculus, because I guess pre-cal helps you "build the tools" necessary for calculus, or are all math classes after this going to be the same, long, tedious, bull**** math problems over and over again?

please stop whining. A lot of math classes are (1) learning the theory (2) applying the theory multiple times in many ways (aka practice)

e.g. Organic chemistry: will you really have a lot of applications of o.chem in medical school? Probably not. Do many people - including I at one point - complain about how they have to learn it even though it'll be of virtually no use in the future? Oh yeah.

Yes, sometimes bad professors come our way, but that's just how life is. If the class is really as easy as you say it is, then just suck it up and truck through it.

You take these prerequisites because all of them build up to - I'm assuming - your goal of becoming a physician.

 

[tiedyeddog]

are all math classes after this going to be the same, long, tedious, bull**** math problems over and over again?

Yes.

 

[RomanTaylor]

Right now I'm in pre-calc and it sucks. Don't get me wrong its easy, but the work is just long and tedious, and the math isn't fun because we just do math problem after math problem

Wow, sounds a lot like medicine. Long and tedious, problem after problem.

Like surgery. Get it?

 

[Samiamm]

. Sounds like you don't have a great attitude about the class and are more focused on finding the mistakes your teacher makes.

What? Where do you get that from? I could understand the "bad attitude" bull**** but if your teacher clearly makes a mistake on the board in class you're just going to sit there??

 

[Samiamm]

please stop whining. A lot of math classes are (1) learning the theory (2) applying the theory multiple times in many ways (aka practice)

e.g. Organic chemistry: will you really have a lot of applications of o.chem in medical school? Probably not. Do many people - including I at one point - complain about how they have to learn it even though it'll be of virtually no use in the future? Oh yeah.

Yes, sometimes bad professors come our way, but that's just how life is. If the class is really as easy as you say it is, then just suck it up and truck through it.

You take these prerequisites because all of them build up to - I'm assuming - your goal of becoming a physician.

I like O chem, so your analogy didn't really work

 

[Freesia88]

My Pre-Calc teacher said this to me that I will never forget it... "Math is basically wax on, wax off..."

And boy did he have us waxin',

OP, trust me, sticking to PreCalc and actually doing the tedious repetitious problems to the point where you instinctively know what to do or what would work will make Calculus a breeze for you.

I am taking Calc now and I would kiss my Pre-Calc teacher right now if I saw him.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Calculus is much more intellectually rewarding than that stuff! Stick with it. I think every student should take calculus.

 

[Samiamm]

My Pre-Calc teacher said this to me that I will never forget it... "Math is basically wax, on wax off..."

And boy did he have us waxin',

OP, trust me, sticking to PreCalc and actually doing the tedious repetitious problems to the point where you instinctively know what to do or what would work will make Calculus a breeze for you.

I am taking Calc now and I would kiss my Pre-Calc teacher right now if I saw him.

Thanks, this is what I was looking for. A bio-chem double major here actually requires less credits and virtually no math, which is why I took biochem in the first place, because I always found math fun and challenging, and I can always switch

 

[Chip Chipperson]

 

[Samiamm]

OMG **** SDN IM DELETING MY ACCOUNT TODAY 😡 😡 😡 😡 😡

 

[Samiamm]

jk 😉, but ok I'll quit whining and stick through it, thanks for the help guys!!

 

[Samiamm]

Well, I guess I'm being presumptuous. But in my math classes, there's often a uptight kid who whenever the teacher makes a mistake (independent of whether it affect their learning) annoyingly busts the teachers balls. If you are polite, then I guess I'm wrong.

But yeah, really- someone call the waahhambulance!

I get what you're saying, but no he makes several mistakes in every lecture, and if you don't call him out on it then he gets to a freeze point at the end of his example, where we have to wait to see what he did wrong, then he does a ****ty job explaining what he did wrong, its just, idek man, screw it, I have the internet

 

[ShenanigansMD]

jk 😉, but ok I'll quit whining and stick through it, thanks for the help guys!!

Haha, I'm just saying that there are worse classes than pre-calc.

 

[zipnogg]

I like O chem, so your analogy didn't really work

Yeah but you get the point. No need to whine about an easy class.

 

[chrismenz4]

calculus sucks. with that said, it is definitely a course that will change your perspective on math as a whole. however, it gets very complex and there is a lot to remember not only from pre-calc, but also trig and algebra. honestly though if you're good at math and you enjoy it then you'll love calc, on the other hand if you're one of those who is not so fond of math, it will be the death of you.

 

[lobo.solo]

😀
Get over it OP.