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I'm Failing Math But Need It To Transfer This Fall

HappyDude20

HappyDude20

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
3,688
1,479
Los Angeles, Ca
Perhaps I'm typing here cause I feel like I'm lost on this one but I am currently failing my math class this spring semester at my California community college.

I've applied to all if the UC schools and USC to transfer over this fall and am beginning to slowly get acceptance letters in the mail.

Per transferring agreements between CCCs (California community colleges) and UCs you need to have completed your IGETC, a list of classes before you transfer...which make up about 60 units. I've completed everything I need to to transfer, with the exception of my math class. The class I'm currently taking this last semester and if which am failing. This class ditates whether I transfer and move out to live the dorm life away from home...or if I fail am subjected to living at home for another year which I cannot bare as I'm crashing in the living room couch and am living in horrible conditions.

I'm an anthropology major, not truly a subject in correlation with math (unless I was specifying in biological Anthro). Surely there must be a way to help me resolve this situation. I can only assume and hope that speaking with an academic advisor or counselor at my ccc can help me out somehow as this is truly freaking me out. After all, vie competed everything I needed not only for my major at this ccc, but also all the core classes here, would they really make me stay another year for a mere math class that us irrelevant towards my major and force me to take frivolous elective classes for a full year? I can't do it, I won't.

Iono, perhaps I wrote this here cause I'm truly freaking out but hopefully at least one response here on the forum can help me out.
 
Can you retake it in the summer? I would imagine you could no?

If not, why could you not take it at the 4 year institution? it sounds like you have your hs diploma so surely they would offer your math class at the 4 year school right?

Regardless, I would get in touch with an academic advisor at the school you are at AND the one you will be at and explain the situation. May be able to pull some strings/work out an arrangement

If none of those work, might have to sit out a semester and start in the spring term. May not be horrible as you could work and have more comfort in the bank account in a sense.
 
dukebound85 said:
Can you retake it in the summer? I would imagine you could no?
Click to expand...

No I can't. All classes must be finished by the spring semester. I can speak with a counselor and hopefully he'll be cool and help me out somehow; I'd be willing to do some kind of one on one math session where if they see fit for me to pass I'll do it,though obviously math is my worst subject.

Edit Ill most likely be accepted to the majority of the schools I applied to including ucka and berkeley as I'm in the honors program at my ccc. By no means am I a bad student, its just math isn't my strong suit. And to be this close to finally transfer and then not get it cause of this one math class I'll never use...

..you know.
 
dukebound85 said:
Can you retake it in the summer? I would imagine you could no?

If not, why could you not take it at the 4 year institution? it sounds like you have your hs diploma so surely they would offer your math class at the 4 year school right?

Regardless, I would get in touch with an academic advisor at the school you are at AND the one you will be at and explain the situation. May be able to pull some strings/work out an arrangement

If none of those work, might have to sit out a semester and start in the spring term. May not be horrible as you could work and have more comfort in the bank account in a sense.
Click to expand...


The whole waiting till spring thing is also a possibility. The only thing I don't like about that is that my folks, almost daily, are now asking me what school letters are coming in and whatnot. Furthermore, only a few schools accept spring transfers and they're usually not the good ones like ucla, berkeley,ucsd. Etc.
 
Does your school have a tutoring program? You have maybe 3-4 weeks to try to pass. Have you missed any of your math classes? If so, and you hit the magic number of allowed absences, there may not be anything you can do to pull this off.

Here is what you should NOT do:

1. Do NOT ask for extra credit work. Profs hate this, especially if they have noted in the syllabus that they do not give out extra credit.

2. Do NOT ask for a grade you did not earn from your prof. Grades are earned, not given. Telling them you need to pass in order to get into another school will not help.

3. DO NOT MISS CLASS FOR ANY REASON!

Here is what you SHOULD do:

1. Find a tutor, ASAP, even if you have to pay for it.
2. Go to your prof's office hours, and ASK FOR HELP. That is what office hours are for. Write down your specific questions beforehand, so you can focus on your problem areas. A general, "I don't get it," will not help the instructor understand where you need help.
3. Ask questions in class if you are not getting concepts.
4. Focus on your school work. You have to devote probably twice the amount of time to your math homework/studying as you have been. If this means staying up later, or foregoing social activities for awhile, it is WORTH it. If you want to be able to move out, you will have to make some sacrifices.
5. Double-check your homework before turning it in. Homework should be easy points, as the answers are usually right in front of you, in your book or notes.
6. Take advantage of study sessions or study guides.
7. Attend every class from here on out, and participate! Participation grades can be up to 10% of final grades. Every single point COUNTS!

If you work really hard, you may be able to pull this off with a D or D+. You're probably not going to be able to get a higher grade, since there is so little time left in the semester, but all you need to do is pass.

Good luck!!!!!
 
HappyDude20 said:
statistics
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Seriously, what kind of 3rd grade nonsense is this? "How is learning about fractions going to help me!" Because that's what this sounds like to me.

"Math isn't for me" is a bunch of horse puckey, too. If you have a genuine learning disorder, then maybe math isn't for you, but outside of that special case, this is just an excuse for laziness and lack of mental discipline.

Seriously, a good understanding of even the very basics of statistics should help anyone, particularly someone in the social sciences. That you believe it has nothing to do with your field of study is a good indicator that you're not taking the subject seriously enough AND you're not thinking critically, regarding both your chosen field of study or the math course.

roadbloc said:
You'd better start revising then, instead of posting stuff on online forums.
Click to expand...

In American, he means you'd better start studying. And TS, you should.
 
HappyDude20 said:
By no means am I a bad student, its just math isn't my strong suit. And to be this close to finally transfer and then not get it cause of this one math class I'll never use...

..you know.
Click to expand...

Hate to break it to you man, but while you might be a good student in your other subjects, you are not a good student in your math class. Do you seriously think you are physically incapable of passing an intro-level stat class?

Do what geekgirl says.
 
I'm in the same situation.

Same thing is happening to me. I'm accepted and am in the process of moving, but I'm failing stats. I'm getting As and Bs in my other classes. What did you do?
 
Statistics for soc/psych/anthro is not a course ANYONE should fail. You need a tutor ASAP to help you think different.

And seriously, it Is MAY. A little late to realize you are failing.

Good advice above. Should have solicited it earlier.
 
Did you just realize you are failing this class? Or have you seen your grades slipping for quite some time? If you knew math was your weakest subject then you should have talked to your teacher at the beginning of the year/semester so you could get his/her advice on how to help you.

As far as the "I've done everything else except this" excuse, it is a waste of time. There are requirements you need to meet in order to attend these schools and you will not meet those requirements (if you fail the class) it doesn't matter if you miss it by 1 class or 10.

The fact you realize math is a struggle for you is the first step. The next step is actively doing something to fix the problem.
 
Perhaps you're way beyond this, but maybe to help supplement your studies you can find some tutorials on khan academy? (http://www.khanacademy.org/math/probability)

Searching around on YouTube comes up with some other channels worth looking into. It's been a while since I had to do anything math related so I can't remember them off the top of my head. If I find them, I'll post back.
 
You could always apply for work at your nearest power plant. :D

Sorry, couldn't resist.
 

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