Failing a class I used to be really good at!

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ebec11
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05 Oct 2009, 11:40 pm

I'm really struggling in my math class. I thought I knew what was going on, but then I failed the first test we had. There aren't many tests in this course, I don't know what I'm going to do to make it up. I have to take the two grade 12 maths after this if I want to go into Business for the university of my choice (WHY DO I NEED MATH IF I'M NOT GOING INTO ACCOUNTING?) and I'm worried that since I'm struggling with grade 11 math, I'm going to be doomed when it comes to grade 12 math. I wanted to wait to get a tutor until next year, but it looks like I'm going to have to do it soon. I have another test today, and I'm freaking out about it. I don't feel confident about it at all, I've had to learn it myself since I was sick from school for most of the lessons and I'm getting really worried. It's almost 1 am and I can't sleep because I'm stressing out.



Baby_Bell
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06 Oct 2009, 12:58 am

How are the math classes set up in Canada? When I was in high school in the U.S. 11th grade was algebra 2, but for 12th grade you had a choice of pre-calculus (hard) or statistics (easier) or even the option of not taking a fourth year math class (depended on what college you wanted to go to).

I guess I am trying to say is to look at your options. Also, which math are you in? It could just be the kind of math, I had the worst time with algebra 2 (imaginary numbers were not my friends), but then I went all the way through college with A's in math.



zer0netgain
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06 Oct 2009, 3:20 am

ebec11 wrote:
(WHY DO I NEED MATH IF I'M NOT GOING INTO ACCOUNTING?)


That's how companies don't have a clue of their fiscal situation. Accounting is more than just math, but every businessperson needs a healthy understanding of math and how it applies to the finances of the enterprise.

Take a statistics class and you'll never trust an opinion survey ever again.



ebec11
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06 Oct 2009, 1:12 pm

zer0netgain wrote:
ebec11 wrote:
(WHY DO I NEED MATH IF I'M NOT GOING INTO ACCOUNTING?)


That's how companies don't have a clue of their fiscal situation. Accounting is more than just math, but every businessperson needs a healthy understanding of math and how it applies to the finances of the enterprise.

Take a statistics class and you'll never trust an opinion survey ever again.
Okay, I understand why you need math in business :( It doesn't mean I have to like it...

In Canada, we have an option of taking College, College/Uni., and Uni. math. The type of math course you take indicates where you are going to go after high school. College was too easy for me (I took it last year because I thought I didn't need math and wanted to focus on other subjects), and College/Uni would probably be the right level for me, but I have to take Uni. to get into the school I want to go.
In grade 12, I have to take two math courses. One is basically the next level up from this Uni. course and the other is Calcus. I actually don't HAVE to take the Calcus, but it's ~recommended~ that I take it and I need to be prepared for Uni. work.
I got good news though! I'm going to have a tutor to help me catch up!



ebec11
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09 Oct 2009, 2:37 pm

Bad news...I barely passed my lasted test, my mark was 51 or 52%. I'm trying my best, it's making me so freaking frustrated. I used to be so good at math. What the heck happened!?! :(



zer0netgain
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09 Oct 2009, 5:21 pm

Some types of math are harder to comprehend than others. Don't trust past success. Get a tutor. Once you grasp whatever is eluding you, I'm sure you'll do much better.



TheDuck
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09 Oct 2009, 5:33 pm

You don't need to worry about next year the gap from grade 10 to 11 math is a lot bigger than the gap from 11 to 12 (well for calculus the other 2 math classes we had here were easier). The only things you can really do is do all of the homework and listen in class. If you can't do the homework , get some friends to help you do it. Also it's probably true that you will never use the calculus or algebra they teach you but if you don't learn it you will be screwed in university since most business programs have both math classes in first year.



ebec11
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10 Oct 2009, 12:47 am

TheDuck wrote:
You don't need to worry about next year the gap from grade 10 to 11 math is a lot bigger than the gap from 11 to 12 (well for calculus the other 2 math classes we had here were easier). The only things you can really do is do all of the homework and listen in class. If you can't do the homework , get some friends to help you do it. Also it's probably true that you will never use the calculus or algebra they teach you but if you don't learn it you will be screwed in university since most business programs have both math classes in first year.
I understand that the gap is bigger between grade 10 and 11 then it is between grade 11 and 12, but I'm worried that if I continue not getting the concepts (Which both times I thought I did!), that in grade 12 it will be impossible to get a 70% or above (I don't think the University will take me with a lower math mark, even if my other grades are good)
I got a tutor, and I think time will tell if having a tutor will help me at all.



TheDuck
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10 Oct 2009, 10:50 am

ebec11 wrote:
I understand that the gap is bigger between grade 10 and 11 then it is between grade 11 and 12, but I'm worried that if I continue not getting the concepts (Which both times I thought I did!), that in grade 12 it will be impossible to get a 70% or above (I don't think the University will take me with a lower math mark, even if my other grades are good)
I got a tutor, and I think time will tell if having a tutor will help me at all.

My friend did so bad in math 11 that the teacher did not want to let him grade 12 calculus so he complained and managed to get in the class, he finished with A+. So it's definitely possible to do a comeback in grade 12. Obviously it would be better to just try and understand this year , I hope your tutor will help. Here is three things I wish they would have told me: 1)Grade 11 notes don't matter at all unless you want to get into a school like Harvard or you are a 90%+ student and want to get a good scholarship 2) In grade 12 you should talk to your teachers after they give you your final grade to try and get them to bring it up. 3)First semester of grade 11 is the most important in terms of average because they can accept you and give you a scholarship based on those notes and then you just need to keep an 80 average. (I got 85% my first semester so I got accepted and got a scholarship for 85% average students so in my second semester I slacked off and got 75% ended up with a 80% for the year)



ebec11
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10 Oct 2009, 11:39 am

TheDuck wrote:
ebec11 wrote:
I understand that the gap is bigger between grade 10 and 11 then it is between grade 11 and 12, but I'm worried that if I continue not getting the concepts (Which both times I thought I did!), that in grade 12 it will be impossible to get a 70% or above (I don't think the University will take me with a lower math mark, even if my other grades are good)
I got a tutor, and I think time will tell if having a tutor will help me at all.

My friend did so bad in math 11 that the teacher did not want to let him grade 12 calculus so he complained and managed to get in the class, he finished with A+. So it's definitely possible to do a comeback in grade 12. Obviously it would be better to just try and understand this year , I hope your tutor will help. Here is three things I wish they would have told me: 1)Grade 11 notes don't matter at all unless you want to get into a school like Harvard or you are a 90%+ student and want to get a good scholarship 2) In grade 12 you should talk to your teachers after they give you your final grade to try and get them to bring it up. 3)First semester of grade 12 is the most important in terms of average because they can accept you and give you a scholarship based on those notes and then you just need to keep an 80 average. (I got 85% my first semester so I got accepted and got a scholarship for 85% average students so in my second semester I slacked off and got 75% ended up with a 80% for the year)
Thank you for the advice, this stuff will definitely help me.
I got a letter of concern today, my first one ever - the thing's pointless because all it says is that she wants to have an interview at parent teacher night, which was what my mom planned on doing anyways.



ebec11
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13 Oct 2009, 4:31 pm

I got an assignment that with some help, I think I really got. I hope this boosts my mark up to a passing mark at least