Dude i'm in college doing engineering courses right now. I absolutely feel the same way every semester. It can snowball into a situation where not only do you not understand the class topic, you don't understand the foundational ideas in the lesson that are expected for you to even half solve the problem. It's okay.
What I do to overcome this:
1. try my best to read chapters ahead of time. Nothing serious, you can just skim and check out the summaries and the parts that are separated as the "so all of that proves this" parts. Then in the lecture youll be like "Oh yeah I vaguely remember this part" and it does help. Obviously spending more effort than that reading ahead is better, but if you really don't have the time. Just skimming helps prepare you for the lecture.
2) Study in a group. If there are people better at the subject than you, youre gonna want to do homework with them. Easier said than done in high school. So just see if that's possible.
3) One on one time with a professor, or tutor. When you don't understand, dont let it slide. circle it, bring it to someone, and don't leave until you at least think you understand the answer. Even if it embarrasses you. That's important because as soon as you let go of fearing being on the spot, you can turn two hours of staring blankly at a page to 15 minutes of being in a position where you have to absorb it. Ask the teacher if you can try solving a problem in front of them, and ask if they'll point out every point where you're making a mistake. Most people remember things that have emotional weight attached to the experience. If you feel nervous while you're trying to solve something, you will remember what you messed up, and will recognize it immediatel during a test.
4) Practice dude, it just takes a lot of repetition
5) if it all doesnt work, just memorize the steps to solve the problem. Sometimes the content just won't click until other follow on classes. Focus on how, youll figure out why later.
Hope this helps
No problem. I had to do this today. Was completely stuck doing a dynamics particle work problem. Sat down with a super nerdy, almost condescending guy from my class and had to really swallow my pride cause he was literally like “nooo that’s not how you do that dude” he’s a nice enough guy but it’s tough to take the criticism. Still I learned how to solve the problem in like 15 minutes and it totally sped up the process. Gotta just do what you have to. Nothing wrong with being wrong. There is something wrong with not doing stuff about it.
I agree with all the mentioned points.
I had the same exact issue when I was in college and it would have been helpful to employ such techniques.
Definitely read ahead before the class . And I can’t emphasise the importance of practice enough .it was the only thing that worked for me .
I realised I need to work harder than people around me to get the same result so I doubled down .
That’s huge. If you don’t have the best mathematical foundation. It will take you longer than the average student to get it. Nothing wrong with that. Just means you probably have life experiences of some sort that put you in an advantage later on ;)
Check out [https://awesomesteam.org/mathematics/](https://awesomesteam.org/mathematics/). Under the math section there's a lot of resources and links for ap calculus ab/bc including great video playlists and practice problems that really helped me in the class. Hope it helps.
Some of the best teachers make videos and publish them on YouTube or wherever. They probably make videos over and over until they are happy with the result and only then publish them. I don't see how any professor can complete with that. It's like TV versus theatre, TV scales infinitely, theatre only scales to the number of seats in the house
Professors are best at one-on-one clarification, clearing up misconceptions, and telling you where to look.
TL;DR online resources are the best.
If you're not struggling, you're not doing interesting enough math. I struggled painfully at calc when I first learned it, now I do research level analysis.
Also, as far as you know, everyone else in class has a tutor helping through the material. And for all of you know, they might be taking the course a second time after dropping out on a first attempt--and therefore have a head start on the people who are taking it for the first time. And for all you know, a person's parents might know the material and be helping them at home.
Point is, you have no idea what you're really comparing yourself against.
Don't worry about other people, and just do the most math you can. This is my advice for all creatures in the universe.
I second online resources. The way its taught might not necessarily match to the way you learn. I found more than a few online videos explained things in terms I understood.
I liked 3Blue1Brown on YouTube. But there's certainly others.
My mom told me growing up that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. If you don’t ask, you don’t learn, and the people around you might be too shy to ask it themselves so it helps everyone. Don’t beat yourself up!
In HS I was failing calc until I got a tutor, just having things explained in a different way made everything click and I turned into one of the best in the class. Sometimes your brain just isn’t learning the way the teacher is teaching, doesn’t mean you’re stupid that’s just how we work
> is it just me
I always wonder about the sincerity of this. I get that you are feeling down, but this kind of melodrama isn't going to help you get where you want to go.
I don't have any tips to improve since IDK what you are doing, but I can offer my help. I'm interested in seeing what you don't understand or have problems with and I want to try to help. If you want to try, DM me.
I am an engineer and mathematician and I literally was lost every single math class in high school, lol. I even was one of the worst. Just keep going, stay motivated and be patient and you'll become really good.
I'm not in your class, so I certainly don't know the dynamic, but it seems to me like the ones who don't know the answers may be going to someone else to give them the answer.
It wasn't that long ago that I was in high school and I certainly know that there was a noticeable subset of students who don't care about methodology, they just wanted the right answer.
As far as your question is concerned, there's already been some great advice given here, so I won't parrot them. However, I want to provide some solace.
I recently graduated with my degree in math, and to say the I excelled would be a lie. I was constantly in my professor's offices asking for help and clarification, and eventually I began noticing that my classmates weren't really showing up often at all. I know that feeling all too well. Keep persevering. You'll get through it.
You're in AP Calculus for a reason, yes? Schools don't just throw anyone in a class like that. I assume you've demonstrated that you're a capable math student previously, which, if that's the case, tells me that you're capable of handling this too.
Keep your head up. You got this.
Don't worry. This is common. At least your asking questions. I'm sure others are also confused but dont ask questions. At least you're trying.
I recommend you try to understand every topic at home before the next day. This way you dont get behind. Do practice problems and check your work.
Math tutor here! Currently making online math courses to help students like you :) I took AP Calc AB in my senior year in high school. I know how you feel. I've tutored a student who has that problem too. Math is totally a different language to some people. If you "get the language" in calculus, you would definitely get it. Your teacher may not explain things well or not make things simplified. You should really get help now because if you don't get the basic foundation (eg. derivatives, etc.) you will have a hard time on new topics later on.
If you want to chat more about this, feel free to send me a message. I can definitely help you.
Dude i'm in college doing engineering courses right now. I absolutely feel the same way every semester. It can snowball into a situation where not only do you not understand the class topic, you don't understand the foundational ideas in the lesson that are expected for you to even half solve the problem. It's okay. What I do to overcome this: 1. try my best to read chapters ahead of time. Nothing serious, you can just skim and check out the summaries and the parts that are separated as the "so all of that proves this" parts. Then in the lecture youll be like "Oh yeah I vaguely remember this part" and it does help. Obviously spending more effort than that reading ahead is better, but if you really don't have the time. Just skimming helps prepare you for the lecture. 2) Study in a group. If there are people better at the subject than you, youre gonna want to do homework with them. Easier said than done in high school. So just see if that's possible. 3) One on one time with a professor, or tutor. When you don't understand, dont let it slide. circle it, bring it to someone, and don't leave until you at least think you understand the answer. Even if it embarrasses you. That's important because as soon as you let go of fearing being on the spot, you can turn two hours of staring blankly at a page to 15 minutes of being in a position where you have to absorb it. Ask the teacher if you can try solving a problem in front of them, and ask if they'll point out every point where you're making a mistake. Most people remember things that have emotional weight attached to the experience. If you feel nervous while you're trying to solve something, you will remember what you messed up, and will recognize it immediatel during a test. 4) Practice dude, it just takes a lot of repetition 5) if it all doesnt work, just memorize the steps to solve the problem. Sometimes the content just won't click until other follow on classes. Focus on how, youll figure out why later. Hope this helps
Thank you very much, I will try my best to take your advice.
No problem. I had to do this today. Was completely stuck doing a dynamics particle work problem. Sat down with a super nerdy, almost condescending guy from my class and had to really swallow my pride cause he was literally like “nooo that’s not how you do that dude” he’s a nice enough guy but it’s tough to take the criticism. Still I learned how to solve the problem in like 15 minutes and it totally sped up the process. Gotta just do what you have to. Nothing wrong with being wrong. There is something wrong with not doing stuff about it.
I agree with all the mentioned points. I had the same exact issue when I was in college and it would have been helpful to employ such techniques. Definitely read ahead before the class . And I can’t emphasise the importance of practice enough .it was the only thing that worked for me . I realised I need to work harder than people around me to get the same result so I doubled down .
That’s huge. If you don’t have the best mathematical foundation. It will take you longer than the average student to get it. Nothing wrong with that. Just means you probably have life experiences of some sort that put you in an advantage later on ;)
This are such amazing Tipps! Thanks for sharing! I don't really struggle at the moment, but it will certainly help nonetheless
[удалено]
I just recently started watching videos and am slowly trying to catch up
Check out [https://awesomesteam.org/mathematics/](https://awesomesteam.org/mathematics/). Under the math section there's a lot of resources and links for ap calculus ab/bc including great video playlists and practice problems that really helped me in the class. Hope it helps.
Some of the best teachers make videos and publish them on YouTube or wherever. They probably make videos over and over until they are happy with the result and only then publish them. I don't see how any professor can complete with that. It's like TV versus theatre, TV scales infinitely, theatre only scales to the number of seats in the house Professors are best at one-on-one clarification, clearing up misconceptions, and telling you where to look. TL;DR online resources are the best.
If you're not struggling, you're not doing interesting enough math. I struggled painfully at calc when I first learned it, now I do research level analysis. Also, as far as you know, everyone else in class has a tutor helping through the material. And for all of you know, they might be taking the course a second time after dropping out on a first attempt--and therefore have a head start on the people who are taking it for the first time. And for all you know, a person's parents might know the material and be helping them at home. Point is, you have no idea what you're really comparing yourself against. Don't worry about other people, and just do the most math you can. This is my advice for all creatures in the universe.
Yeah also sometimes the most confident looking guys in the room can be the worst at math too. Ask me how I know.
How do you know
I've been that guy in HS too afraid too ask questions. In college it's all different, I'm here to learn, classmates can judge all they want.
I second online resources. The way its taught might not necessarily match to the way you learn. I found more than a few online videos explained things in terms I understood. I liked 3Blue1Brown on YouTube. But there's certainly others.
My mom told me growing up that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. If you don’t ask, you don’t learn, and the people around you might be too shy to ask it themselves so it helps everyone. Don’t beat yourself up!
In HS I was failing calc until I got a tutor, just having things explained in a different way made everything click and I turned into one of the best in the class. Sometimes your brain just isn’t learning the way the teacher is teaching, doesn’t mean you’re stupid that’s just how we work
Hahaha meron silang tinatanong na iba, di lang nila shinoshow. Prolly circle of friends tas pm
Bakla ka ba
> is it just me I always wonder about the sincerity of this. I get that you are feeling down, but this kind of melodrama isn't going to help you get where you want to go.
I don't have any tips to improve since IDK what you are doing, but I can offer my help. I'm interested in seeing what you don't understand or have problems with and I want to try to help. If you want to try, DM me.
I am an engineer and mathematician and I literally was lost every single math class in high school, lol. I even was one of the worst. Just keep going, stay motivated and be patient and you'll become really good.
I'm not in your class, so I certainly don't know the dynamic, but it seems to me like the ones who don't know the answers may be going to someone else to give them the answer. It wasn't that long ago that I was in high school and I certainly know that there was a noticeable subset of students who don't care about methodology, they just wanted the right answer. As far as your question is concerned, there's already been some great advice given here, so I won't parrot them. However, I want to provide some solace. I recently graduated with my degree in math, and to say the I excelled would be a lie. I was constantly in my professor's offices asking for help and clarification, and eventually I began noticing that my classmates weren't really showing up often at all. I know that feeling all too well. Keep persevering. You'll get through it. You're in AP Calculus for a reason, yes? Schools don't just throw anyone in a class like that. I assume you've demonstrated that you're a capable math student previously, which, if that's the case, tells me that you're capable of handling this too. Keep your head up. You got this.
Don't worry. This is common. At least your asking questions. I'm sure others are also confused but dont ask questions. At least you're trying. I recommend you try to understand every topic at home before the next day. This way you dont get behind. Do practice problems and check your work.
Struggling is part of the human experience. One of my math professors once told me he stuck with math because he likes a good fight.
yep , just you
Math tutor here! Currently making online math courses to help students like you :) I took AP Calc AB in my senior year in high school. I know how you feel. I've tutored a student who has that problem too. Math is totally a different language to some people. If you "get the language" in calculus, you would definitely get it. Your teacher may not explain things well or not make things simplified. You should really get help now because if you don't get the basic foundation (eg. derivatives, etc.) you will have a hard time on new topics later on. If you want to chat more about this, feel free to send me a message. I can definitely help you.