How to get through Calculus

By Angela Matheson

Calculus. Why do the majority of students struggle with the logical solving problems? In total freshman math last year, five-hundred and seventy students enroled in the course. One hundred and sixty- . four students either discontinued or failed the course. Another one hundred and twenty-three students received an average between fifty and fifty- nine. Only five hundred and five math students decided to give it a second shot second term. Three hundred and sixty-four students passed with roughly a third in the fifties. Just in calculus alone two hundred and forty-five students enroled with one hundred seventy-eight students passing. The statistics, last year, are worth taking seriously.

There was a drastic change in the amount of people taking the different levels of math. One hundred and ninety-six students enroled in second year math. Forty-two students enroled in third year math, and one student enroled in fourth year math. Why was there such a drastic drop in number? Perhaps people were finding it too tough, or perhaps people required so many math courses to complete their major. There aren’t too.many math majors around eager to tackle any derivative. So what’s the problem? Is it the lack of interest or motivation? Is it boring, too mind boggling or too frustrating? How do we, who take calculus, get through it?

Professor Sweet gave us a few hints to follow to make it easier. One thing is to go to classes. That’s where the knowledge is. Professors usually give an easier explanation than the book. You feel better knowing what’s going on in the life of calculus even if it’s a faint idea. Besides, a faint idea is better than a blank idea. Tutorials and assignments are a big plus even when they’re

a big pain in the derriere. It’s great to attend class and copy examples and rules. But you’re not doing or implying it yourself. These tutorials and math assignments give a better understanding and comprehension, sometimes it may even boost your

confidence in knowing the material. It separates the material that you know and don’t know.

Another good idea is to take a trip to the library and ask for the solutions in assignments and tests. It’s not a great deal out of the way, and the worst you could do is pen eighty-cents on photocopying. If your extra-studious, read over the notes between classes. If you have a question, mark it and get it straightened up. Math doesn’t require a great deal of memorization, and reading, but it would be a great benefit to memorize the rules and learn the principles. The book comes in handy when doing a couple of odd problems, but this depends on the individual’s study habits.

A most important fact, don’t get behind. The key goal to passing math is it should be taken seriously. Making those math classes may not be a bad idea after all.

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