calculus

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Has anyone else had a REALLY hard time understanding calculus?

I can't see it. I am finding it really hard to understand what the teacher is talking about because she wants me to just picture it.

The other students in the class are horrible to me. Everyone else is allowed to ask a question but I have college students openly mocking me every time I open my mouth.

I am WAY behind in the class. I was sick for a week or so and got a few classes behind. i am trying to catch up, but right now just feel angry, frustrated, and overwhelmed.

The class moves really fast. Every time I start to grasp anything the prof moves on to something else. I just can't keep up with how fast things are changing.

I'm freaking sick of people making fun of me. That I have dealt with my whole life and I really want it to freaking stop. I am feeling very angry about that one right now. I am in my "I hate people" mood. This is why I like plants

I am graduating in three weeks if I can pass this class. I have to just pass this.

Anyone have any advice on how to learn this? I just need it explained in a way I cna understand.

thanks

Getting a copy Schaum's easy outline (along with the regular Schaums books) would be my advice. Really Calculus is a series of steps you have to follow to solve a give problem, so you can rote learn a lot which helps. Also practise.

If there is anything you don't get, post in this thread (or make an account on this site: www.thestudentroom.co.uk which has loads of people on it that really know their stuff).

One thing I would say with maths in general is that it is usually better to know a smaller amount of material solidly than trying to learn everything less concretely.

Do you have the basic concepts of differentiation and integration? The rest seems to be a lot of "algebra," no? I am just learning/relearning it myself. I actually am finding the "Calculus for dummies" book helpful because it gives a wide non-technical view of what it's all about, even while the math is there (in not too much detail).

DOesn't your school have a tutoring session each week you can go to?

Sounds like your classmates are being jerks and the prof isn't putting them in their place. I sympathize that is a nasty situation to be in.

Wow, that's really bad. And no excuse for it.

Maybe if you could talk to the teacher, ideally several hours before a class

'I was asking ______. And someone literally said ________. [be as specific as you can, but also read the teacher, when he becomes embarrassed, as well he should, pull back at that point] . . '

'I just want a fair chance. I just want to learn, just like anyone else.' [general principals hard to disagree with]

'Now, I don't want to be put on the spot. But maybe if you could just say, "All questions are good questions" or something like that.'

---------------------------------

Notice that you are coaching the teacher! That is, you are displaying excellent social skills as you kind of help him along with his more mediocre social skills. No, this shouldn't be necessary. Shouldn't be necessary at all. But apparently it is.

(This might also be the time for Disabled Student Services to go to bat for you. And they might be able to meet with the professor with you. Again, I recommend keeping any such meeting brief. This is another good card you can play if needed.)

Is it kind of min-max problems?, like connecting a house to a power line, and you can go diagonally through the woods (more expensive), or along a road and then right angles to the house, or some happy medium of partially along the road and then diagonally to the house. So, you set up an equation (hard part), take a derivative, etc, etc.

You know, I bet a lot of people here know calculus and it might be kind of fun! And of course, we’d try to include links to authoritative sources.


And something else I’ve found helpful is buying old textbooks, like at Half-Price books or other used bookstores, where you can often get an out-of-date text for 10 bucks or so. Yes, technically out of date, but calculus doesn’t really change that much.

Schaums outlines are about $10 for a book off Amazon - partly why I recommend them. But also they have lots of problems and cut out lots of crap.

Since you have but 3 weeks left and your graduation is contingent upon your calculus course, then you may try another approach. Your dilemma seems to be two-fold: (1) Calculus may not be your favorite (2) Now, your dislike for the subject has evolved so you're even less inclined to focus your attention and (2a) Seems as your instructor is not suited for your needs and (2b) You mentioned not being treated well by your peers - I'm sorry and that can be very detrimental. Plus, being sick is hard (I'm sorry).

I have tutored calculus so I might be able to help long distance with just the logistics. I almost suggested a (fun) helpful calculus book titled Calculus for Cats by Kenn Amdahl (disregard the crazy title, this book is good and may be of more assistance than others out there) but I doubt you have time since you'll need to concentrate on just finishing-up your class (but maybe later for the book).

Instead, triage. I'd ask your advisor or principal or guidance counselor (not sure if you're in high school or University) or equivalent right away as they may be able to intervene with realistic advice. A one-on-one tutor would be a great idea. If you can, maybe speak with your teacher and tell her what you stated here - he/she may be able to work on a plan with you. If this is uncomfortable, ask another whom you trust.

Oftentimes making your own personalized study guide is best - concentrate on the basic concepts and then practice (do not worry too much about the details right now). I imagine, with quite a many Aspies, patterns of thought are readily understood! This means you may acquire a handle for calculus but over time. I see the dilemma is fitting this all in now and why a tutor with strong direction is a good deal. Another tip: With calculus, try to graph everything and really write out those questions, formulating your answers using plenty of paper space, even color-code if that works for you. Try to allow lots of time for yourself and study in a place you like where you're comfortable and not pressured. Do not feel discouraged if you make a mistake as that's how we learn. You might be able to arrange to take your final exam in private - ask.

Good luck to you, nika7 and I think you can do this - maybe you just need some confidence. I'm glad you posted since you identified the problem really well. Often just knowing the problem (goes for your calculus homework too) is key! Try to state any given problem, even in words, then write what you know, and identify what you need to find (the unknown). Calculus is basically a technique to find the area under a curve. Know the concepts behind integration and differentation using a study guide, then graphing to visualize the question asked. Maybe think of each question like a puzzle.

One tip I heard a former math professor give to anther was to never spend too much time on any given problem since this can lead to frustration - this seems to be where you are now. I now that 3 week deadline is daunting but it's doable. Pace your time. Most of all, try to keep your spirits up. Really seems a lot of dilemma is instead with your instructor's style and the class itself, not necessarily the calculus.

About the other student's mocking you - that's reprehensible and terribly counterproductive. I'm not sure what you can do about that right now but do this class for your own success. You should not be subjected to bullying, ever, and why you might arrange for instruction elsewhere. Could you show your advisor/guidance counselor what you posted here?

Just focus on your immediate objective.

nika7, here's Lab Pet's "A+" vote of confidence for you:

Here's a handy link for a quick-study calculus guide that might help:

http://www.karlscalculus.org/

hi LabPet, thanks for posting that link.

I'm about to attempt a calculus quiz in my tutorial tomorrow and to be honest I have absolutley zeeerro idea of how I'll go.

I'm finding my learning style is different to what I expected. It's strange.
That website helped me, because I know everything there already, and that made it seem really simple and so .. I felt better somehow.

I suspect that my processing is slower, so it gets 'clogged' - and even though I am learning it feels as though the equilibrium has reached it's limit and I can't take on any more information. But, then, feelings aren't facts.
*crosses fingers*

I believe in unconventional learners. For notable example: Dr. Temple Grandin (the ultimate Aspie role model!) wrote that she was NOT good at algebra......but she did well in geometry which is spatial/visual. But then, something happened. Or, like she wrote, "like a light switching on her head." Now she is REALLY good at algebra and higher math.

Sometimes that slower approach is actually a deeper learning, like you described really well above. Although some Aspies may not be "immediately" good at a given subject, they certainly can acquire the talent - like a light switching on. I know I learn that way with quite a few things too. I seem like a dummy initially but then it hits and I can master that skill. Like what nika7 seems to be grappling with; just to have the patience and especially the opportunity.

Good luck with your math course and be sure to give yourself a chance! Learn it in your own way, not how someone else tells you.

I haven't taken calculus...yet. Most colleges/universities offer resources for when you're struggling in a class. My CC has a 'math lab.' I would see if there is something similar to that on your campus, or if there are any ads for tutoring around. You may have to look elsewhere for tutoring, like in the phonebook...there are tutors on craigslist, but I don't know how safe I'd feel doing that. I would try to get someone to help you so you can pass the class. Your teacher should have office hours and be available to help, but some teachers aren't ones you would want to be around any more than you have to.

I had a had time understanding basic elementry school arethemitic but algebra was a breeze and I assume calculus will be too. They need to teach calculator skills to kids and teach them algebra as young as secound grade either that or dump math requirments in college all together.

Hey there, thanks LabPet! I really mean it, thanks for the support.
I do have my own style, so am necessarily isolated to a reasonable extent, a consequence of which is a comparative lack of support (and that's ok most of the time).

It is interesting what you say about learning styles and being 'switched on' - I have, also, always found that I am 'better' at higher level maths. It's easier.
I'm in touch with the special studies program at my University - I was actually too late this semester to enrol in it but I was so enthusiastic they've let me attend the class anyway even though I get no marks. They've done graphs of heart arrhythmia, which I found fascinating.
I stopped in at the office of the presenter today, with a question about an interest of mine - it really made my day!
(especially as I also relate to the 'seeming dumb' thing - it's frustrated to not get quite treated by (well-meaning) teachers/tutors as if I fully understand)

I had my quiz. I did about as well as I thought I would - some questions I got right (I think) and some I didn't, because I haven't had time to cover everything.

But, with the help of forums like these, and looking at that awesome 'study hacks' site someone has posted here, I got some great study done last night.

I have been thinking today that it is a matter of slower processing. which is fine, as when I learn something I learn it well. it's automatic after that.

I've also cordoned off my study time - I've been obsessed with it, and spreading over my entire day, instead of having say two hours a day of focussed time (which will turn into more by the time we take into account my obsession!!) I was having like six hours of unfocussed time.
The study hack helped with that. . no more pseudo work for me today!

That is one way to approach math. It certainly is not the only way and the teacher should not present it as the only way. In a sense, try less hard, but try in a diagonal direction. In the micro, you will be trying less hard. But in the macro, since you will be trying more things, you are trying more hard.

Okay, let me layout what I think is almost the perfect study day. And since a three week graduation puts you mid-May, I'm going to assume you're in college and that means you probably have a math lab that's free and available on a walk-in basis. Okay, the 'perfect' studying day, once you wake up, maybe get a healthy breakfast, maybe even before, take a look at a sample problem in the book, then attempt one of the easier to mid problems, check your answer in the back. Then that afternoon, maybe put a blank piece of paper over the solution to the sample problem and see if you can recreate it. And if you can't, that's fine, too. Head over to the math lab. And I recommend taking something fun to read, so that waiting time is tolerable and in fact it's kind of an adventure. When you get the tutor, show him or her the sample problem and say you'd like to do one or two of these problems. The tutor might show you three and that's good. But it's not a marathon session, you're still nibbling.

And maybe walking between classes, it kind of occurs to you that you now understand how to do that kind of problem. That evening you look at a sample problem for a new kind of problem, and maybe one easy to mid-problem. And you prepare to look at it again in the morning.

A highly successful day, you have come up to speed on one type of problem and made headway with another. Calculus is about nibbling. I almost think two 10 minute sessions at different times of the day are more valuable than a single 45 minute session.

Your final will probably have about seven different kinds of problems, maybe less. How to do a procedure is a left-brain kind of process. How to recognize what type of problem requires what type of procedure is actually more difficult, particular so to put it in words. So, you're not going to try. Rather, you're going to trust your feel and texture. You're going to do enough sample problems, with confidence that you're doing them right, that you'll be able to feel whether you're on the right track on not.

Now, if this doesn't feel as though you're studying 'right,' and I kind of struggle with those kind of issues myself, a week after graduation, you will give yourself permission, if you catch a wave of energy, you will look at Calculus and study it 'right,' or if you get energy to do other things, oh, well, life moves on in that other direction. That is, it's a possibility, but not an obligation. (I tell myself 0,1, or 2. I have permission to look at it again, 0, 1, or 2 times)

Here is wishing you all the best!

^ ^ actually (and sorry to the OP for having gotten somewhat off topic) maybe you could just try general internet research and reading, too.

If I'm having trouble understanding something, that's often what I do. Seeing the same thing presented a couple of different ways usually helps me to objectify it and understand it a lot.
all the best with it, too.

mysassyself, I think you've added a very good second thread to this discussion! And I very much agree, that when a person is not understanding something, try to find a presenter who comes at it a different way.