Mathematics

[Pride]

So, I used to be pretty good at math. I finished calculus when I was in high school - not an amazing achievement by any means, but not terrible either (I hope).

I disliked it, however. Maybe it was the teaching methodology within this educational system. Regardless, I didn't do any while in university. Now that I am close to graduating, I need to finish some math units. Since I haven't done this shit in over four years, I did badly on the placement exam. I couldn't get into calculus immediately, much to my disappointment.

Restarting in a geometry class, I started out well, got bored, then didn't show up the second half of the semester and dropped the class. I don't think the ability to understand or comprehend is the issue - I hate being bored and the rote memorization. Is this just something I must deal with? If so, I suppose I will do just that without further complaint.

The thing is, I have taken a sudden, strange interest in mathematics. It's probably just that little devil of an Ne at work but... well, I've developed a certain fascination for the concepts at least. So now, I want to be competent in higher level mathematics.

The conundrum: how do I keep myself entertained and motivated? I mean, I have to finish these classes regardless to graduate, but there is a blatant difference between "getting by" with a C, and "complete understanding & mastery" of the material.

 

[Trebuchet]

See if you can obtain the textbook before the class, and study it between semesters.

Go into the professor's office and talk to them.* Get to know them. Ask them what are their expectations and if they have advice. If they give you answers, pay attention to them and give it a try.

Practice, practice, practice. Being entertained comes after you have learned something, not during. But it will be worth it. Future you will appreciate all your hard work.

*Singular "they" rocks.

 

[Vrecknidj]

I don't think the ability to understand or comprehend is the issue - I hate being bored and the rote memorization. Is this just something I must deal with? If so, I suppose I will do just that without further complaint.

Probably. In all honesty, I found for myself that if my two options were:

A) Be bored and a little resentful, and put up with memorizing stuff I didn't want to.
B) Fail

I picked A, got over myself, and moved on.

The conundrum: how do I keep myself entertained and motivated? I mean, I have to finish these classes regardless to graduate, but there is a blatant difference between "getting by" with a C, and "complete understanding & mastery" of the material.

Which do you want? If you want the C, get the C; if you want to master the material, then master it.

Don't give in to the excuse to be lazy. Succumbing to boredom is a choice.

Dave

 

[Cogitabundus]

Pride if it makes you feel better I didn't get through calculus till I was in college. I blame laziness though. I myself actually want to crack open the books again and start to self-teach it back to myself, and then maybe even more. It's too fascinating to pass up. Something I missed when I was younger (28 now)

 

[the_s_rabbit]

If I knew then what I know now about math in general, and how absolutely vital it is to everything, I would have been much more motivated to struggle through math in college (15 years ago) and do as well as I possibly could have. Instead, I opted to do the bare minimum. As it stands now, my gateways to exploring new areas are barred by the fact that I don't have a strong enough mathematical background. I took a calculus course online a couple years ago, but I'm still barely scratching the surface. I need more, in order to do more.

I say put your head down and grind your way through it. Math opens all kinds of doors man.

 

[Pizzabeak]

How is math vital to everything?

 

[Dapper Dan]

How is math vital to everything?

Well, in a broad sense, it is. That is, arithmetic and simple algebra/geometry are used in day-to-day activities. But the higher up you get, the less useful it becomes. I would argue that things like probability and discrete math should get more emphasis in school than things like calculus for this very reason.

 

[Otherside]

Mathemathics is a tool, a language used to describe events. In itself, there is little significance.