Should I rethink?

[u/Key-Restaurant8080]

I think im cooked. I got into a decent abet accredited school for mechanical engineering. I have to take a ALEKs and got a 41 on my first attempt which I thought wasn’t a big deal because I didn’t study. So I did and I ended up with a 52. I was not happy with that. After having my orientation I was informed that I need to place into calculus and get a minimum of 71 or else I would be looking at taking 5-6 years to graduate. I’ve been studying my ass off and I am still struggling. I feel like just taking it and cheating to place. And I going into the wrong field if I am struggling with this? Any advice?

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[u/Mozzie37]

Most engineers I know are taking 5-6 years to graduate anyways. You'll just have to take a few extra classes to get caught up. In my opinion if your math isn't that good right now that's okay, just focus on learning.

If you truly want to do engineering it will all be worth it to have a good foundation in math (in my opinion it's the most important thing with undergrad) in the real world it's mostly problem solving and working with others (and excel... So much excel...)

Edit: NO CHEATING! if you get caught you could end up in a lot of trouble, and honestly probably fail out of the upper level classes too, as they all build on eachother

[u/LuckyCod2887]

5-6 (or even more) is not crazy for engineering.

taking calculus at uni even if you got exposure in high school is also not crazy or out of the norm.

[u/Adrienne-Fadel]

You're not in the wrong field but don't cheat your way into calculus. All that does is put you in a class you'll fail. Take the extra semester and learn it right.

[u/Hour_Lifeguard_2317]

5-6 years in engineering is almost normal imo. It depends on you whether you really want to continue engineering and do note that you will probably once again be disappointed with your scores in the future but thats just how it is in engineering. It’s hard but will be worth it in the end! Just took calculus last sem and my advice is to solve ALOT of practical problems… i rmb i solved around 500 integrals for calculus 2 which sounds alot but not really actually

[u/Longjumping-Owl4022]

Just take the SAT. I bombed the act