Preparing for Calc II - first post! please advise

[7.62x51]

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I've never done well in math. I really need to turn it around for Calc II, it's my last chance but I have a plan.

I'm taking it in Jan 2015, I've already started preparing for it by going through a ton of calculus/pre-calc questions from this excellent review book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Humongous...words=the+humongous+book+of+calculus+problems).

Before January I should be able to finish that book. I'll be using another book to touch up on theoretical concepts.

However, all of this is based on the assumption that by reviewing for this class in advance, I'll have an advantage.

Would that be true? I know for some classes you can do this but for others you can't. For example, this would never work for biochemistry because there is so much variation in what the prof can focus on.

I figured, calculus is calculus no matter where you take it. I did poorly in math before due to a poor diet/sleep routine.

I'm so bitter over my poor performance in math (B in Calc I), I really want to change it this time. My motivation is through the roof for this class and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the A this time.

The only question is, would my preparations make a difference?

 

[deleted595546]

I know someone who prepared by linear algebra by watching the MIT open courseware videos and they said that it helped tremendously (at least in the beginning of the course). I have taken up to calc iii and I definitely think doing some review in advance would be beneficial. At my school, in calc ii we reviewed calc i concepts for about a week and then moved on, so also make sure that you are also strong in whatever calc i skills you think are lacking (especially if you have any trouble with integration).

If you think a B is "poor", I definitely think reviewing for calc ii would give you a much better shot at getting an A.

Best of luck!

 

[MLH]

Is calc II a required class for the schools you will be applying to? If not why are you going to take it if you don't know you'll do great in it and possibly lowering your gpa and taking time away from classes you need and should be taking? When I first started pharmacy as a path my prereq were calc I then calc II OR STATS . I did calc I and II then later finding out most schools now want calc I and stats for requirements. I had to go back and redo my math. Which added more money and time. So , my advice if you don't need it why take it. I later found out in my upper level courses that stats would of helped me more than my calc II ever did. Good luck!

 

[7.62x51]

Is calc II a required class for the schools you will be applying to?

obviously -_-

from what I gather so far, it's arguably the hardest class one can take in undergrad

the only other class I'll be taking with it will be Orgo 2

it'll be intense but I should be able to handle 2 super hard classes at once

 

[MLH]

Oh..well good luck. If it makes you feel any better calc II wasn't the hardest class I ever took as an undergraduate. Actually never ran into anyone who cried about calcII like they did with pchem..dbac..organic chm..or biochem. hope that makes you feel better. You can do it.

 

[Conflagration]

Hello! Your title grabbed my attention; I'm actually a math major.

Calculus II is mainly an expansion on techniques for taking a derivative/integrating.

Calculus I is the foundation of all of Calculus; which solves the two crucial problems (slope of a tangent line and the area under a curve).

The definition of a derivative is set up similarly to the general slope formula, and the Riemann integral (the typical integral) is set up like the addition of rectangles of infinitely small width.

As you know, Calculus I handles most of these problems with respect to one variable. The only real issue you deal with more than one variable in Calculus I is implicit differentiation.

In Calculus II, you expand this to find the volumes of things in 3D space, and you learn to take the derivatives of more complex equations.

I wish you the best! 😀

 

[dj_rx_1]

If you earned a B in Cal I you are well equipped with the fundamentals of differential and integral Cal to do well in Cal 2. I found practicing a myriad of problems was the formula for earning an A in Cal 2.

 

[Amicable Angora]

I've never done well in math. I really need to turn it around for Calc II, it's my last chance but I have a plan.

I'm taking it in Jan 2015, I've already started preparing for it by going through a ton of calculus/pre-calc questions from this excellent review book (http://www.amazon.com/The-Humongous-Book-Calculus-Problems/dp/1592575129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404862849&sr=8-1&keywords=the humongous book of calculus problems).

Before January I should be able to finish that book. I'll be using another book to touch up on theoretical concepts.

However, all of this is based on the assumption that by reviewing for this class in advance, I'll have an advantage.

Would that be true? I know for some classes you can do this but for others you can't. For example, this would never work for biochemistry because there is so much variation in what the prof can focus on.

I figured, calculus is calculus no matter where you take it. I did poorly in math before due to a poor diet/sleep routine.

I'm so bitter over my poor performance in math (B in Calc I), I really want to change it this time. My motivation is through the roof for this class and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the A this time.

The only question is, would my preparations make a difference?

Why did you only get a B in Calculus 1? Calculus 1 and 2 are extremely straightforward. If you're putting the time and effort into it you should be doing much better. You need to do some self reflection.

Regarding whether or not studying will help you in advance, it will.

 

[lewinski123]

Get a whiteboard and dry erase markers and a friend to work out problems. 🙂