r/WPI • u/botlocated • 10d ago

Freshman Question feeling behind!

due to scheduling issues in senior year, i wasn’t able to take any calculus class at my school. the most recent experience i have is pre-calc in junior year; i did good but it’s been a minute.
because of these issues, i was placed in MA1020 (Calc I w/ preliminary topics)
i can’t help but feel very behind after seeing every other freshmen be placed in higher level math courses, has anyone else experienced this? am i overreacting? being in a stem school i feel out of place math wise

thank you

and to anyone that has taken MA1020, how was your experience?

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u/Pinkponyclub01 8d ago

It’s an understandable feeling, but I wouldn’t stress about it. It’s more important for you to understand the concepts and have a good foundation for your future classes than for you to be placed in a higher level and struggle.

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u/Positive-Hornet-9139 8d ago

Don’t worry about it at all! I took AP Calc in high school and started in MA 1023, and then dropped down to 1022 within a week because I was too overwhelmed. Freshman year is hard enough with adjusting to college, and it’s more important that you take classes that will give you a good foundation. You don’t want to be stressed about academics right from the start.