Withdrawing from Calculus

[BiologyJr]

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Hey Everyone,
I’m currently a sophomore at a CC that is in Calculus 1. I got a 73% on my first calculus test and currently am not understanding anything in class. I go to tutoring and office hours but all the information goes over my head. Is it bad to withdraw from it? I have one withdrawal for College Algebra from my freshman year but I retook that class and got a C. Would 2 W’s look bad on my application for medical school in the future? Thanks

 

[BigBoss]

If you think you will fail, then withdraw. Getting a D or F is worse than a W.


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[Geo16]

Don't drop the course for getting a C or B.
Get a C now, or a B (sounds possible) and work towards A in your next classes. I've got a C in many courses counting towards SciGPA .. including calculus (for social sci students LOL)

 

[BigBoss]

Don't drop the course for getting a C or B.
Get a C now, or a B (sounds possible) and work towards A in your next classes. I've got a C in many courses counting towards SciGPA .. including calculus (for social sci students LOL)

How do you expect OP to get a B or A on subsequent tests if they don’t understand the material? This is false hope.


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[Geo16]

How do you expect OP to get a B or A on subsequent tests if they don’t understand the material? This is false hope.

All I'm saying is get a C. But do aim for the B 😀

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

All I'm saying is get a C. But do aim for the B 😀

Calc gets harder not easier. Not sure why op thought taking calc when they got a C in college algebra was a good idea, but they should probably just take the W.

 

[BiologyJr]

Calc gets harder not easier. Not sure why op thought taking calc when they got a C in college algebra was a good idea, but they should probably just take the W.

I took calculus because even though I got a C in college algebra I ended pulling out a B in pre calculus. My study habits for math changed a lot from my freshman to sophomore year when it came to math. Also I was dumb to take college algebra in the summer when I know math isn’t my strong suit.

 

[MarineMDHopeful]

My story is anecdotal, but I withdrew from Calc....twice. and still go into 2 top 20 schools. As long as the school doesn't consider calc a prereq (like Dartmouth) you're fine.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I took calculus because even though I got a C in college algebra I ended pulling out a B in pre calculus. My study habits for math changed a lot from my freshman to sophomore year when it came to math. Also I was dumb to take college algebra in the summer when I know math isn’t my strong suit.

I still think you should just take the W if you’re not understanding at this point. If you need it for your major, I would drop it and then try to brush up on your precalc skills and watch this video series until it makes sense. On the flip side, you can watch the series and khan academy videos and try to hold on to a C or maybe a B if you can make it make sense to you.

If you have no idea what’s going on with derivatives, integration is going to be even more difficult, since you need to understand derivatives to understand antiderivatives.

Essence of calculus - YouTube

 

[Geo16]

I still think you should just take the W if you’re not understanding at this point. If you need it for your major, I would drop it and then try to brush up on your precalc skills and watch this video series until it makes sense. On the flip side, you can watch the series and khan academy videos and try to hold on to a C or maybe a B if you can make it make sense to you.

If you have no idea what’s going on with derivatives, integration is going to be even more difficult, since you need to understand derivatives to understand antiderivatives.

Essence of calculus - YouTube

This sounds more logical and reasonable.
However, the OP has 1-2 quizzes or 1 more midterm to find out if he's actually going to fail or not. I'd say C is better than a W since the OP is still early in college. OP, find out when you can drop the course with a W(there should be a date on 17-18 calendar for your college). Until that date hits you, just keep going. Who knows? Perhaps the professor is the type that gives out hard 1st midterm, but your next midterm might be better.
Worst case scenario? You'll drop the course with a W.
But be aware if you take this route... one other FAR worst case scenario is that even if you felt confident, and fail the final.. which could happen.... then... 🙁

 

[Technology]

I'm in the same boat right now, but with Calculus 2 (integrals). I'm guessing the only test you have had was limits, so I would say you should stick with it for now because your next unit is likely derivatives, which are pretty fun (in my opinion).

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

This sounds more logical and reasonable.
However, the OP has 1-2 quizzes or 1 more midterm to find out if he's actually going to fail or not. I'd say C is better than a W since the OP is still early in college. OP, find out when you can drop the course with a W(there should be a date on 17-18 calendar for your college). Until that date hits you, just keep going. Who knows? Perhaps the professor is the type that gives out hard 1st midterm, but your next midterm might be better.
Worst case scenario? You'll drop the course with a W.
But be aware if you take this route... one other FAR worst case scenario is that even if you felt confident, and fail the final.. which could happen.... then... 🙁

I disagree. He scraped by with a B in precalc and is one exam into calc with absolutely no idea what he's doing and a low C. If he drops now, he can review his trig/precalc on his own time (i.e., weekends or even just over break) and watch a few videos on calc to get himself familiar with it. Additionally, he will not be stressing out over calc and won't be pouring a ton of time into a class he most likely will end up dropping or getting a C in anyway--time that has to come from somewhere and will most likely come from his other courses.

One W is nothing. I think a W with a subsequent B+ or A is much better than a C, since that is easily explainable and shows maturity and humility.

 

[Geo16]

I disagree. He scraped by with a B in precalc and is one exam into calc with absolutely no idea what he's doing and a low C. If he drops now, he can review his trig/precalc on his own time (i.e., weekends or even just over break) and watch a few videos on calc to get himself familiar with it. Additionally, he will not be stressing out over calc and won't be pouring a ton of time into a class he most likely will end up dropping or getting a C in anyway--time that has to come from somewhere and will most likely come from his other courses.

One W is nothing. I think a W with a subsequent B+ or A is much better than a C, since that is easily explainable and shows maturity and humility.

Well, if he's getting a W, then might as well stick around before the date to drop with a W.
Because I mean, he can still take quizzes or take another hw to learn the material while at it.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Well, if he's getting a W, then might as well stick around before the date to drop with a W.
Because I mean, he can still take quizzes or take another hw to learn the material while at it.

I get what you're saying. But from personal experience, if he isn't understanding it, without serious help and effort, he's going to end up having to drop anyway. All the effort he's putting into that class will probably just take away from the work he's putting into other classes. Obviously, he can stick around for another test, but I think it's just a waste of time. Call it quits now, regroup, and try again when he's better prepared.

Whatever you do, OP, don't let this class mess up your others.

 

[BiologyJr]

I got an A on my organic chem and gen chem midterm so I got A’s in both those classes. I’m just not good with math at all

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I got an A on my organic chem and gen chem midterm so I got A’s in both those classes. I’m just not good with math at all

If you got As in gen chem, you are good enough at math to do well in calculus. You are simply not understanding the concepts (and you're not alone--that's usually what gets people).

 

[Lawpy]

Hey Everyone,
I’m currently a sophomore at a CC that is in Calculus 1. I got a 73% on my first calculus test and currently am not understanding anything in class. I go to tutoring and office hours but all the information goes over my head. Is it bad to withdraw from it? I have one withdrawal for College Algebra from my freshman year but I retook that class and got a C. Would 2 W’s look bad on my application for medical school in the future? Thanks

You can withdraw if you want but if you want to do well in the course, I recommend using good resources like the following:

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/calculus-home

Visual Calculus

Calculus I

 

[BiologyJr]

If I drop calculus, I will only be taking 10 credit hours this semester. Is that frowned upon when applying to medical school?

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

If I drop calculus, I will only be taking 10 credit hours this semester. Is that frowned upon when applying to medical school?

Nope. Doesnt matter at all.