PreCalc
(Posting on behalf of my daughter)
Hi everyone! I’m an 18-year-old sophomore at a community college. For my sophomore year of high school, I was homeschooled and then completed a relaxed online program to graduate during my junior year. I enrolled in community college and attempted precalculus, but it proved to be overwhelming, especially since I was also on the softball team at the time. I decided to drop the class and planned to retake it over the summer when my schedule would be less hectic, as I was struggling to grasp even the basic concepts.
When I gave it another shot in the summer, my dad was hospitalized for a serious condition for two weeks, and I ended up having to drop the class again. After that experience, I took MAT121 (Algebra and Trigonometry) to build a stronger foundation for precalculus, and I passed! Now, I’m on my third attempt at precalc and feeling really anxious about potentially failing again. Is it common to need four tries to pass a single class? I’ve never been someone who struggled this much with school or experienced this level of academic anxiety.
Hi there! I’m really sorry to hear about the tough time you’ve been having. It’s completely understandable to feel anxious about retaking a class, especially given everything you’ve been through. Each student has their own unique journey, and it’s not uncommon for some classes to take multiple attempts—especially one as challenging as pre-calculus.
It sounds like you’ve been proactive about improving your math skills by taking Algebra and Trig, which is a great step. Here are a few tips that might help you this time around:
Seek Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your professor during office hours or consider getting a tutor. Sometimes, one-on-one attention can make a big difference.
Study Groups: Joining a study group can provide support and help clarify difficult concepts. Explaining topics to peers can also reinforce your understanding.
Online Resources: Websites like Khan Academy or YouTube have great tutorials that cover pre-calc topics. Sometimes hearing things explained in a different way can click for you.
Practice, Practice, Practice: The more problems you solve, the more comfortable you’ll become. Find additional practice problems beyond your class materials to build your confidence.
Take Care of Yourself: Don’t forget to manage your stress. Make sure to take breaks, stay active, and maintain a balanced routine.
Remember, you’re not alone in this, and it’s okay to struggle sometimes. Keep pushing forward, and celebrate the progress you make along the way! Good luck—you’ve got this!