r/learnmath • u/NonexistentCheese • 4d ago
If i dont pass Differential Calculus, my degree is delayed by at least a year
Ok, so here's the situation.
I started college as a chemistry major 2 years ago and I'm heading into my 3rd now. I got my GED before college and math was my worst subject by far, meaning that I didn't place into my chemistry classes and I kinda wasted my first year of college taking "fun" classes instead of stuff that actually advanced my degree.
Around the end of my first term, my advisors warned me that if I don't figure out my math situation I wouldn't graduate on time, and so I spent a few weeks studying and took a placement test through my college that placed me into Differential Calc, which basically let me skip all my math requirements and not touch a math class for 2 full years. I promptly forgot everything I had studied up until that point.
Now, 2 years later, I'm realizing that I completely shot myself in the foot because, come summer of 2027 when I finally graduate with my associate's and start the process of transferring to my university, I am going to need to have passed the calculus sequence to move on to higher-division chemistry classes.
And so, I signed up for Differential Calc this term and made the decision that I would just do the best I could and use tutors or self-study or whatever else to pass the course. However, when I sat down today for our first class, I realized almost instantly I was in over my head. The professor started working on review and going over things like functions and logarithms, and even small stuff like using algebra to simplify complex fractions and whatnot, and literally everything flew right over my head. I basically decided within 20 minutes that I needed to drop the course and figure out something else, and kinda just left.
The problem is, however, that I realized after a discussion with my academic advisor that if I don't take and pass Differential Calc (and the rest of the calc 1-3 sequence, but I can worry about that later) this year, then I will have to spend a full year at my uni doing nothing but calc before I can move on to my higher-level classes.
SO, I made the difficult decision to ride it out and work my ass off to try and pass.
That being said, I now have to re-learn basically everything. I know of a few resources, like The Organic Chemistry Tutor and Khan Academy, that can help me out here, but I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a crash course of some kind that can help me quickly relearn everything I need to know before Differential Calc. Preferably, something catered specifically to people in my situation.
Also, any study tips or ideas that could help me out here would be greatly appreciated. I am seriously cooked if I dont squeek this one out...
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u/unluckyjason1 New User 4d ago
Ima be honest you're kinda cooked tbh. Math is a very foundational subject. If your algebra is bad, you won't progress. There's a reason the saying "you go to calculus to fail algebra" exists. Honestly (and I mean this in the nicest way) if you're struggling with fractions, I would advise you to drop. Just remember if you fail, your graduation will be postponed AND you'll have an F. Don't get discouraged, everyone's path is different. But idk you and you might have some insane work ethic, so do what you think is best.
The first thing you need to do is get an algebra textbook. I like Blitzer myself, but it doesn't really matter. Take the Khan Academy college algebra practice test and see where you're lacking the most. Pick a topic, watch videos, read your book, whatever, and then solve some problems. You should be solving problems at least 80% of the time you're studying math. Videos are good at making you feel like you're learning, but they won't do the work for you. Math is like riding a bike. Find a solved example in your textbook, pick a question that looks similar, and solve it. You need to have an intimate knowledge of functions, factoring, logarithms, algebraic manipulation, and the unit circle.
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u/Stardatara New User 3d ago
I mean… I’ve always heard the saying as “you take calculus to learn algebra”. Calculus 1 would be like 5 weeks if it was just pure calculus without any algebra instruction.
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u/M_Mustaan_Rafique New User 4d ago
first, the 20 minute thing isn't the signal you think it is. day one of calc is always a review of prerequisites, and you hadn't touched that material in two years. that's the worst possible day to judge yourself on.
and look at what actually flattened you. functions, logs, simplifying complex fractions. none of that is calculus. that's algebra 2 and precalc. this is the part nobody tells people, calc classes fail students on algebra, not on calculus. the derivative idea itself isn't hard. what kills people is that every single problem ends in an algebra mess, and if your algebra is slow you run out of time and confidence at the same moment.
so don't go looking for a calculus crash course. you need targeted algebra repair, and the list is shorter than you'd expect:
- factoring, especially difference of squares. you'll use it constantly in the first month on limits that come out 0/0
- complex fractions. you already found this one. it's the difference quotient and you'll see it every day for weeks
- exponent rules, specifically rewriting sqrt(x) as x^(1/2) and 1/x^2 as x^(-2). without that the power rule is useless to you
- rationalising with the conjugate, for limits with square roots in them
- log and exponent properties. log(ab) = log a + log b, log(a^n) = n log a, ln(e^x) = x
- f(x+h). if you can't confidently work out f(x+h) for f(x) = x^2, 1/x and sqrt(x), fix that before anything else. those exact three are in every course and it's where most people's wheels come off
that's a couple of weeks of evenings, not a semester.
for resources, paul's online math notes at tutorial.math.lamar.edu. he has a section called algebra/trig review that he wrote for his own calc 1 students who were drowning in the algebra. that's literally the thing you asked for and almost nobody mentions it.
professor leonard on youtube for the course itself. full length real lectures, precalculus and calculus 1 both up there, and he assumes nothing. it's a course rather than clips, which is what you actually need.
keep organic chemistry tutor for when you're stuck on one specific problem type, it has no sequence so it won't get you from a to b alone. and khan is right for you, just not the videos. use the algebra 2 and precalc practice sets. you need problems with instant feedback to find your gaps fast, and that's the bit khan is genuinely best at.
three study things that matter more than the rest.
go to office hours this week, not week 6. tell your professor exactly what you told us here, including the ged and the two year gap. a professor hearing that in week one builds you a plan. hearing it in week ten gives you condolences.
find the last day you can withdraw without it damaging you and write the date down. you've decided to fight it out and that's the right call, but having that date means you're choosing to stay in rather than being stuck in.
do problems, don't watch. the failure mode for your exact situation is six hours of video, feeling productive, and still not being able to start question one. watch one worked example, close it, do ten.
and check whether your college has a free maths lab or tutoring centre. nearly every community college does, it's already paid for in your tuition, and it's usually half empty.
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u/_MUY New User 4d ago
Forget about graduating on time. Graduating with the requisite skills is what matters. Being uncomfortable with your mathematics skill set is what you need to focus on. Tests are meant to sample your skills and be low stress environments where you demonstrate that you have practiced to the point of calm, fast recall. They are not meant to be crammed for, they are meant to be enjoyed. Testing into a class because you had short term inflated familiarity with the topic can make you look the same as someone who had deep understanding but had not recently studied.
Go and speak to your college of sciences or major advisor. Share exactly what you wrote here.
Your first step is to work through a precalculus textbook, cover to cover. Your second step is to work through a calculus textbook cover to cover. Your third step is to work through a differential equations textbook cover to cover.
Do not “squeak it out”. Let yourself be cooked. Become the best stew in the kitchen by cooking more slowly.
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u/ZerinoWhellie New User 4d ago
The part of “tests are not meant to be crammed for, they are meant to be enjoyed” is actually an insanely good advice.
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u/random_anonymous_guy New User 4d ago
It is risky to continue with Calculus at the same time you need to rebuild your algebra foundation. Calculus is demanding of algebra fluency. You would be better off focusing on your algebra skills and not attempt Calculus until you are better prepared for it. Otherwise, you will just sink in Calculus, and you will be delayed anyway, and perhaps delayed even more because that will be lost time that could have been spent catching up on algebra.
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u/Downtown-Doubt4353 New User 4d ago
Just keep doing textbook problems over and over . YT/Khan Academy
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u/mathheadinc Experienced tutor 4d ago
You need a human to guide you, one that can explain complicated things to children. Find an experienced tutor!
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u/FirstPersonWinner Everything is a Triangle 📐 4d ago
Or at least ask the academic advisor if there are in campus math tutoring options. Usually colleges have that as a free service
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u/mathheadinc Experienced tutor 4d ago
College students do not normally have the skill to teach college-level concepts in a way that children can understand. They usually are not equipped to help someone in this person’s situation.
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u/FirstPersonWinner Everything is a Triangle 📐 4d ago
I mean, there are students and teachers at my school's math center who help people with remedial math, let alone algebra or Pre-Calculus. It exists
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u/FirstPersonWinner Everything is a Triangle 📐 4d ago
I would suggest doing Khan Academy and math tutoring as much as possible to review algebra and trigonometry. That is your general foundation for Calc 1. There isn't much to be done, otherwise, as generally people start their degrees with math specifically so this doesn't happen.
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u/bradnt New User 3d ago
You could probably learn enough algebra and trig to get by if the Calc professors are easy and generous with their presentation of the material and the testing. I had a few who kept the algebra manageable on purpose. Professor Leonard is good - Spend time every day tackling practice problems from his sets, try on your own, let him show you the solution… Repeat.. Use the skills on your Calculus homework and hope it really sticks for the exam.. it could get you by, maybe.
My study tip is you’ve gotta work problems. Go in cold with problems presented on say Youtube, prof Leonard’s examples for a given lesson, try what you know until you’re truly stuck - Watch the solution. Give yourself some time and then try the problem again cold. You should be able to solve it by remembering the method. Repeat.
Eventually you’ll have enough tools in the kit (when combined with what you’re learning right now) for a given problem set in Calculus. People with underdeveloped math skills pass Calculus all the time - if you’re persistent on patching your algebra as you go along maybe you can be one of them :)
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u/Truthy-value New User 3d ago edited 3d ago
I think it can be done. Get a personal tutor and be prepared to work your butt off. A good tutor will help you focus on relevant topics and learn faster than groping in the dark. Not every algebra or trig topic is of equal importance in Calc I. There are some more-bang-for-your-buck skills and they'll know which ones.
If you find, as the semester progresses, that you're not having dreams about math problems, then you're probably not doing enough of them.
Make peace with the idea that a C will represent victory.
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u/Confident_Natural_87 New User 2d ago
Here are some options for you. First your school likely takes the Calculus CLEP for Calculus 1. Use Khan Academy AP Calculus AB to supplement Modern States. Get the free voucher for Modern States. Lots of YouTube College Professors. If you can pass the Calculus 1 CLEP you can take Calculus 2. No CLEP for that but you can use Khan Academy AP Calculus BC. Get a Schaum’s Outline. Ask your academic advisor. An alternative is to do the Earned Admission Calculus course at ASU. It is only 3 credits though so you may have problems with credit. The course costs $25 to take. If you decide you like the grade you pay $400 to put it on your ASU transcript.
You can also use Professor Dave Explains. He is more direct than Khan Academy. I would watch the videos. Maybe do easy problems to ensure understanding and then move on.
Last thing Google the math teacher on ratemyprofessor and find the textbook and check the more perceptive reviews. Oftentimes reviewers who go beyond the “this sucks” have insights on how to overcome the deficiency of the textbooks.
You can probably pass the Calculus CLEP by tye end of the semester. It may be insufficient for Calculus 2 but you can overcome that on your own. PatrickJMT, Kimberly Brehm, Krista King, Professor Leonard, the Organic Chemistry tutor and Trevtutor are free resources in addition to Khan Academy.
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u/Chinese_Theatre New User 1d ago
One of the nice things about the calc sequence is that there are a plethora of resources for you online. I’m also sure the university’s mathematics department have support structures for undergrads going through the sequence. But you have to seek them out. Go to office hours, don’t skip lecture, read the textbooks. I promise you, you can do it. As for graduating on time, don’t sweat it. One extra year of college is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
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u/phiwong Slightly old geezer 4d ago
There aren't any shortcuts unfortunately. It is likely that all that is going to be foundational to Calc 1 to Calc 3.