College math course -- what to do?

[Mafiaangel180]

I was in college roughly ten years ago. Everyone had to do placement testing for math and english. My math testing was ok, got placed in a regular math class. I got a D in my math course, but it was a result of a very bad home life. Not because I couldn't do it. At anyrate, I find myself back in school. And though it's not mandatory for me to take the placement tests again, my advisor advises that I do so since it's been a while. So I signed up but have yet to take them. My college counselor told me that more than likely, since I haven't had much math in the past ten years, she is telling me that I will score shitty and will almost definitely be put in developmental, which doesn't count as credits and actually will cost $1,000. But at the same time, she kind of stated that even if I did ok, as long as I retake it, they would still try to put me in developmental. WTF?!

So, I'm thinking it's a waste of my time and money. I'm not going to re-take the test and have them try to give me the shaft, take all my money, and stick me in a tard class when I know I'm not a tard. I think I'm better off trying my luck at the math I had ten years ago and busting my ass. But I have two professionals telling me I shouldn't do that. You guys are the brainiacs...what do you think?

[Jgib5328]

I always choose the harder way out. All of my life, people have told me that I belong in the dumber classes, but now I'm doing an honors major in a really difficult college. I'd go with the difficult class, fuck that counselor's recommendation, do what you feel. It's only a math class. Study hard and ask for help, and you will get by.

[Mafiaangel180]

I always choose the harder way out. All of my life, people have told me that I belong in the dumber classes, but now I'm doing an honors major in a really difficult college. I'd go with the difficult class, fuck that counselor's recommendation, do what you feel. It's only a math class. Study hard and ask for help, and you will get by.

Wow, that's the opposite of me. Everyone used to encourage me to take the easier classes, thanks to my enfp, which can sometimes look like add. --And I knew it didn't feel right. So for the first time, I'm going to go against them and say "fuck 'em," and I'm going to take something more challenging. Thanks. Placement test canceled. :)

[Erika Redmark]

I'm in a similar situation–I want to take a music theory class next year, but I don't want to start from the beginning because I don't know nothing (in the sense that the double negative cancels out :laugh: ). It's not like I know a lot, but the higher level class I take, the more I'll end up knowing in the end, right? I've been told that it's rare for people to place out of first semester, or they take it for the ear training component, or whatever–but what I'm doing is to try to get myself through a specified amount of a certain textbook on my own to prepare for when they make me take a placement test in the fall (my J-ness is going crazy from not knowing my next semester's schedule yet), to make sure I'll know everything they throw at me…so I guess the moral of the story is to prepare thoroughly and show them what you've got/knock 'em dead/etc.

[Mafiaangel180]

I'm in a similar situation–I want to take a music theory class next year, but I don't want to start from the beginning because I don't know nothing (in the sense that the double negative cancels out :laugh: ). It's not like I know a lot, but the higher level class I take, the more I'll end up knowing in the end, right? I've been told that it's rare for people to place out of first semester, or they take it for the ear training component, or whatever–but what I'm doing is to try to get myself through a specified amount of a certain textbook on my own to prepare for when they make me take a placement test in the fall (my J-ness is going crazy from not knowing my next semester's schedule yet), to make sure I'll know everything they throw at me…so I guess the moral of the story is to prepare thoroughly and show them what you've got/knock 'em dead/etc.

Definitely! Music theory sounds cool, better than math. Good luck!

[Tenacious B]

Busting ass is plenty to get you through math classes, as long as you are willing to do so.

[geonerd]

they're probably trying to rip you off by having you pay for excess classes.

Just take a non-tard class and bust your ass. I'm sure you will do just fine, anyway.

[Double Victory]

I'd just go for a regular math class. Most campuses have free tutoring available if you really end up needing it. I also suggest checking out your professors for the available math classes on a website such as ratemyprofessors.com. I was placed in the "dumb" math class last year, and I had a horrible professor who didn't teach me a thing. When I moved on to the next step this year I ended up with a professor that spelled out every single step with incredibly clarity, and I've never understood math as well as I do now. Granted, that's still not very much. But anyway, check out what other students have said about the professors for the available math classes. With a good professor you can learn anything. In any case, I imagine that a lot of of the math will come back to you after you've been in class for a while. No need to waste time and money.

[Mafiaangel180]

Ok, so check this out...I cancelled my placement test cause it wasn't mandatory, and I went to see my advisor to schedule classes. He was like, "Well, you can take regular math, but I would advise against it. " I basically told him in more or less words that I was doing what I wanted to do. He didn't like my decision AT ALL. He kept trying to talk me out of it. Then he brings this screen up and says..."Oh wait...you can't take regular math after all." I'm thinking that he's full of shit. So he sticks me in developmental...for now. (I'm dropping it.)

So he signed me up for Math05, which is the smart tard math. I mean, it seriously isn't "tard" math. But if it doesn't count towards a college course, then I would be a tard for even bothering. Anyway, I went to talk to the head of the math department, and he told me that the original counselor (not the advisor) was full of shit when she told me that even if I do good on the test I would still get developmental. He said it wasn't true and that I should just go take the test. Just for elementary algebra. (I totally know that.) I think I will do fine. Actually, I know I will.

Ok, so anyway the head math guy told me the career lady basically lied to me. So he advised me to take the basic algebra placement testing. Well let's just say...that I busted my ass studying for a couple days. And yesterday the doctor told me it's pretty certain that I have add. So for me to study math for a couple of days...that really took a lot to be quite honest. And you know what? I like it. I actually like math. Sick huh? My confidence was boosted. I was doing this long equations. It was great. Until the test actually came.....

So I take my seat, and I start freaking out when the lady tells me I have to take the whole thing. I tell her I was told I only have to take the basic part. She got smart with me. "What makes you think that?" So I got smart back "Because the head math guy said so." Anyway, this really heightened my anxiety. then, she puts the test in front of me. Hardly anything of what I learned. Where are the long equations??? Where was what I prepared for?????? Definitely not there. I started freaking, then I couldn't concentrate. Totally drew a blank. 58 questions in 45 minutes. WTF?!?!?!?! I felt like my old insecure, add self. I glanced around, everyone is zooming through. I start freaking out even more. Panicked. Rushed. 20 minutes left......10 minutes left......5 minutes left.....me scribbling in circles because I didn't want to leave them blank. But I'm sure there were some left blank. Then after I was done, the girl walked around and I told her that I'm not supposed to take the other math part. She said if that is true the lady will excuse me. She didn't. I had to sit there. I knew a couple of answers. But since I knew I failed the other half, it didn't really matter what I got on this section. So yeah...I went from actually feeling good about myself and learning math to feeling pretty damned stupid.

[cBorg]

Well that sucks. I had that happen once...a test was completely different than anything I had prepared for. I'm usually great at tests but that time I panicked and couldn't do anything. It turns out the class average was something like 30%, but I only got 12% so it was ugly. I ended up dropping the class over it.

But I retook it and got an A with another professor! So the moral is that panicking on a test isn't a reflection of what you know or what you are capable of. Hang in there and give yourself a break :-)

You've got a lot of anxiety tied up with this subject. Can you skip the class for now and try another approach? Maybe find a private tutor to work with for a while so you can develop some confidence in it. You can also find some sample tests to study from in the future and give you an idea what to expect before you tackle a placement test again.

[Mafiaangel180]

Well that sucks. I had that happen once...a test was completely different than anything I had prepared for. I'm usually great at tests but that time I panicked and couldn't do anything. It turns out the class average was something like 30%, but I only got 12% so it was ugly. I ended up dropping the class over it.

But I retook it and got an A with another professor! So the moral is that panicking on a test isn't a reflection of what you know or what you are capable of. Hang in there and give yourself a break :-)

You've got a lot of anxiety tied up with this subject. Can you skip the class for now and try another approach? Maybe find a private tutor to work with for a while so you can develop some confidence in it. You can also find some sample tests to study from in the future and give you an idea what to expect before you tackle a placement test again.


Lmao...I have a lot of anxiety in general. Hehe. Actually, the thing is....I took the sample tests three times. I was hardcore wanting to do good. That's why I was like....wtf....

I don't think I can take the placement test over. Since I am transfering schools, I think I'm going to opt of taking math this semester.

[Monte314]

I was in college roughly ten years ago. Everyone had to do placement testing for math and english. My math testing was ok, got placed in a regular math class. I got a D in my math course, but it was a result of a very bad home life. Not because I couldn't do it. At anyrate, I find myself back in school. And though it's not mandatory for me to take the placement tests again, my advisor advises that I do so since it's been a while. So I signed up but have yet to take them. My college counselor told me that more than likely, since I haven't had much math in the past ten years, she is telling me that I will score shitty and will almost definitely be put in developmental, which doesn't count as credits and actually will cost $1,000. But at the same time, she kind of stated that even if I did ok, as long as I retake it, they would still try to put me in developmental. WTF?!

So, I'm thinking it's a waste of my time and money. I'm not going to re-take the test and have them try to give me the shaft, take all my money, and stick me in a tard class when I know I'm not a tard. I think I'm better off trying my luck at the math I had ten years ago and busting my ass. But I have two professionals telling me I shouldn't do that. You guys are the brainiacs...what do you think?
Ouch. I've been teaching mathematics at various universities and colleges for over 30 years... I do it not just because I love the subject, but because I care about students and really enjoy helping them succeed.

For me, there is nothing more exciting than walking into a classroom on the first day of the semester, knowing two things:

1.) nobody but me want to be there, and the students are all scared silly
2.) by the time the course is over, the students will have learned to enjoy the subject and appreciate its value

(Of course, making #2 happen requires some planning and work!)

My belief is that, as an instructor, I work for the students. My job is to make them successful; if I don't, I have failed. I serve their interests first, since they are the only reason the course exists, and the only justification for my presence.

People who don't have this view don't belong in the classroom any more than a doctor who hates patients belongs in the clinic. To teach is to serve.

[Zilal]

Wow, pain in the ass. I am still bitter myself about a math class experience I had in high school. I was in the advanced math classes the first couple years but for my junior year, for some reason, they dropped me two levels down to the "average" class. We were learning things I'd already learned two years ago. I asked to be put in a higher-level class and was told "they were all full." I had the feeling I was being brushed off then but I didn't have the gumption or know-how to advocate for myself. So I spent all year sitting there bored out of my skull and learning nothing.

[Mafiaangel180]

Wow, pain in the ass. I am still bitter myself about a math class experience I had in high school. I was in the advanced math classes the first couple years but for my junior year, for some reason, they dropped me two levels down to the "average" class. We were learning things I'd already learned two years ago. I asked to be put in a higher-level class and was told "they were all full." I had the feeling I was being brushed off then but I didn't have the gumption or know-how to advocate for myself. So I spent all year sitting there bored out of my skull and learning nothing.

Wow...that really sucks!! I hate it when that happens. And I think problems occur with math more often than any subject. More often than not they stick people in a math beneath them. For myself, I think it was because I'm not fast at tests, therefore I can't take my time to get the right answers. So they stick me in something easy where I become bored therefore making me bitter and uncaring about the subject. And that makes for poor grades.

[Jgib5328]

When was the last time you actually took a math course?

[Mafiaangel180]

College roughly ten years ago.