College is messing up my game

[ImperfectionisBeauty]

Why not find a cutie in your classes to try to study with? I have done that before, if I sit next to someone I'm like "hey do you want to study for this test with me" and if they say no then oh well but who doesn't want a study buddy!

[Locust]

Sweetjasmine and Locust just killed me. Although I supposedly have a high aptitude for math, I see maybe one sentence or line, and then my attention wanders off. "Ok, so h and some other letters...wait, why are there letters in math?....oh, look, SQUIRREL!!"

 

That is my general thought process for anything harder than algebra.

 

God bless you people.

 

LOL!!!

 

Letters are used in math to represent a numerical value. Working with variables are much easier when trying to solve a complex problem. This is especially true when applications. I'm mainly working with a lot of vector calculus and differential equations which is built off of calculus. Using variables becoming more useful when writing a program which I do quite of bit.

[Els]

I gotta say, SD, you're one lucky dude. I've never seen anyone else on LS get such involved and enthusiastic help with their homework here before. Some of those posts must've taken the posters at least half an hour, especially formatting math statements in text!

 

While I think it's great that you're reaching out for help and that people are helping you, don't you think it'd be easier if all of that were done IRL instead, especially with you being able to watch the person work and cross out figures in a logical sequence? Back when I had math tuition (aeons ago) I used to write down all of the questions that I had in a notebook, and then bring them to the tutor during the weekly session. That's mainly what the tutor is for, and the best way to get the most out of what you're paying them. It also made things much easier to have someone IRL showing me the way.

 

FWIW, I agree that most people in CIS/SE/IT related fields rarely use pure math in actual work once they graduate. The rationale for learning math isn't for the math itself, though, but rather the logical problem-solving skills that academic dudes think is best learnt from math. I can't say whether they're right or wrong, but it does seem to be the standard.

 

Good luck!

[Locust]

I work in IT part-time and I have CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification. The only time I saw math was for network subnetting in the Network+ exam, but that was just arithmetic. Most IT people I been around with have a subnetting calculator if they need to perform such network configuration. But again IT is all about troubleshooting tactics and ability to find a solution to a problem.

[somedude81]

I really do appreciate the math help.

 

I'm obviously retarded at this stuff and need all the assistance I can possibly get.

[somedude81]

Instead of sharing your homework on here with us take it to a math tutor.

 

Spend more time with a tutor and away from home and an internet connection.

 

This place is proving to be a big distraction for you, and if you flunk out of college I am sure that we will be hearing all about it.

I already have a tutor and we meet during the week. Today is Sunday, so where do you expect me to get math help? Should I just not try to study on the weekends?

 

You don't have a clue a flippin clue how much time I spend on this forum or how much time I spend studying. So why don't you keep your advice to yourself.

[Pyro]

I already have a tutor and we meet during the week. Today is Sunday, so where do you expect me to get math help? Should I just not try to study on the weekends?

 

You don't have a clue a flippin clue how much time I spend on this forum or how much time I spend studying. So why don't you keep your advice to yourself.

 

Congrats on the tutor. That is a good first step.

 

You could stay off the internet and here until you have your homework and your math issues taken care of. For a guy close to failing math yes you do spend too much time here.

[SmileFace]

Congrats on the tutor. That is a good first step.

 

You could stay off the internet and here until you have your homework and your math issues taken care of. For a guy close to failing math yes you do spend too much time here.

 

I don't even understand how you replied so calmly... Lol

 

Sd you are off your rockers sometimes.

Edited February 18, 2013 by SmileFace

[Teknoe]

I don't even understand how you replied so calmly... Lol

 

Sd you are off your rockers sometimes.

 

 

LOL. SD got real testy there... which is a sign he spends way too much time here. I don't think it takes a genius to recognize that. He uses LS as a (sad) substitute for social interaction. He said he needs all the assistance he can get... well in that case he should be talking with his professor about his struggles pronto. But, that would require being vulnerable and being held accountable for his real life actions, or lack thereof. So, I doubt he will. Just hot air he's blowing.

[Leigh 87]

To complete in this global economy with technology growing like crazy, having science and engineering background is a must. Of course math and science is not for everyone, but the idea is to get more people involved in that. One of the reason Obama want to fund more into science and math because its the key foundation in today's world.

 

 

 

I am getting a degree that will earn me a living without going hungry (50K a year on average)

 

It has absolutely no math, besides a couple of weeks of the most basic stats.

 

My goal upon finishing my degree is to become a therapist though, which requires harder stats and basic math.

 

In Australia, I would not need calculus to become a therapist.

 

..If I get around to doing that after my first degree that is.

 

 

 

....Well rounded is one thing, but you do not need calculus to be well rounded.. A basic math would suffice in NON math based fields.

[Leigh 87]

SOMEDUDE81 - You are almost done, you can do it man!

 

Just wanted to give you some words of encouragement.

 

I reckon if you studied longer, you would pass, with a lot of extra help from your tutor, and to a smaller extent, the smart @sses on love shack, along the way.

[sweetjasmine]

I really do appreciate the math help.

 

I'm obviously retarded at this stuff and need all the assistance I can possibly get.

 

Dude, you're not retarded at this stuff. In the last problem you posted, is that how it was in the book or is that where you got stuck in figuring out the problem? If it's where you just got stuck, then you're getting there and just having trouble with some more minor things. The problem is those minor things matter a lot more when you have multiple steps to go through before you get an answer.

 

I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea to ask for help online, whether here or a math geek forum, but your tutor will be able to help more since you can ask questions in real time if you don't understand why they did such-and-such.

 

One thing I find helpful is taking notes when I realize I forgot something or did something wrong, so I know what to do the next time. So for instance, in your notebook, next to that last problem, you could write down "remember h/h = 1/1, the numerator doesn't go away" so when you look at it later to study, you remember why you did what you did. I get the impression you're being overwhelmed by all this stuff that's happening with the problems and not fully understanding why it's happening. If you get someone to help explain the why, you'll be in much, much better shape.

[Teknoe]

SD,

On the real, you understand that throwing self pity parties isn't doing you any favors right?

 

13 months ago, I was college graduated with a teaching credential, but I never handled my paperwork (since 2008!!!!!), and as month after month, year after year passed, it became more of a mental roadblock. It was crippling. I was just screwing around on the internet, Netflix, video games, fantasizing after girls and chasing my crushes (which bombed miserably because I didn't shore up some key things in my life), etc.

 

I finally busted through, handled my paperwork, dealt with my fears HEAD ON, and had my first sub call on Valentines 2012. It was 8th grade PE. From Valentines 2012 to May 29, 2012, I had 15 sub assignments, ranging from everything from KINDERGARTEN to 8th grade Language Arts. I networked, built up my resume and portfolio but perhaps more importantly, built up my own image and self-belief that I could do all of this.

 

Guess what... I was fixated on girls just like you are. But I knew it was time to prioritize, and securing that full time CAREER was that much more important than worrying about girls.

 

In June 2012, I was hired FULL time as a teacher.

 

It's hard for me to believe it has been one year since my first ever sub job, and harder for me to believe that I've been teaching full time now since August. Goes to show you, tasks that "LOOM LARGE" are doable if you START DOING, KEEP DOING, AND DO IN SMALL STEPS.

 

If I continued getting hung up over self pity and oh, where's my GF, oh, it's been 4+ years now I will never amount to anything, then I would be stuck right now where I was 13 months ago... doing NOTHING.

 

Instead, I didn't throw a self pity party, I just kept moving along. I'm pretty proud of where I am now, and I thank God for His encouragement along the way with various friends and loved ones who were there to whisper an encouraging word at just the right moment.

 

Stand still, and you'll never ever get anywhere. Whatever you situation is today, I implore you to take just ONE SMALL step in the right direction. After some time, you will realize you would have covered a great distance... which began with only one small step and shoving it back in fear's face.

 

I think, for you, your first step would be to be totally honest with your calculus professor. Sit down with him in his office and be very up front with your struggles. He'll see that you want it, and he'll work with you (if he's any kind of decent prof. at all). Ramp up the tutoring and the hours you hit the books.

 

Take it one small step at a time. Surround yourself around good math people who care. And put in the long hours it'll take for you to get it. You'll pass if you do all these things.

 

But, if you don't do these things, and continue your trend, I can assure you you will be more likely to fail.

 

So, it's just a matter of how bad you want this. And how much you're willing to ask for help from people who can truly help you. This is not a time to withdraw, throw a self pity party or blame the world. This is a time to man up. This situation will reveal your true character.

 

So, don't blow it.