Bad at math, college, please help!?


Question:
I am a high school junior and still can't even grasp Algebra 1..yes, you read right, but I have straight A's all ALL my other subjects, it's not that I'm compensating because I suck at math, it's just everything else comes so easliy, but when I open a math book it's like Hieroglyphics to me, I am home schooled by myself online and have three more moths to finish my math class and I am panicking! I hired a tutor and I am still having trouble, it's like I hate it so much I don't even want to try, I am seriously thinking about dropping out and getting a GED, will I be able to be a Naturopathic doctor with a GED? can I even get a GED if I cant even grasp simple Algebra? how many math credits are required for most Colleges..(I want to attend USF) and do I have to take math in college? all answers and advice are appreciate.

Answer:
I understand completely! Work and work and work some more! Good that you're doing everything you can to help yourself. DO NOT DROP OUT! It will NOT help you!! Keep trying! When you get into college start low. Do what you CAN. Do the packets now at home if you need.
I believe it's still 9 credit hours of math for an Associate's degree (I may be wrong) but it all depends on which program you're getting into.

I tried my hand at Electronic's Engineering but just could not hack the math requirements. Eventually I switched majors and went into Marketing. No more struggle. Some minor math was needed but not algorithms and other higher brain function stuff.

You will need to hack at least elementary algebra for most non math courses. It's because people want you to be able to problem solve and that's what math entails. Also math teaches you to apply logic in its own way.

I went thru 3 different tutors and 3 remedial alegebra courses and finally skinned by in Math to get my degree. Good luck!
Sorry to break it to you my friend, but if you want to be ANY kind of doctor, you are going to be in math for a long, LONG time! I know exactly how you feel, because I also hate anything that has to do with math with a burning passion. My advice to you would be to REALLY work at it. Don't just remember how to do a problem long enough to get the correct answer on a test. Get to a point that you are going to remember it for life (or at least long enough to get you through college!).

Talk to your math teacher. Let him know that you are having problems and that you are going to need extra help. There's nothing wrong with that. You and I are people that require more time and effort to learn math than other people, but that DEFINITELY doesn't mean that we are incapable of doing it. I am going the med route myself, and I was discouraged at first with all of the math that I am required to take. I had to go in for help every day my first year in college. It was time consuming, but I passed that class.

As for your comment about dropping out, just don't do it. Colleges will accept you with a GED, but why would you want to do that? Just dig your heels in and decide that you aren't going to give up until you pass that class!
I think you should get a few friends who are strong in the subject or go for remedial classes to understand the topic better.
If you want to be any kind of doctor, you have lots and lots and lots and lots (and lots) of math in your future. Your gonna have to look your problem straight in the eye. I suck at math and hate it BUT I still ACE every class and am now in calc. All you have to do is really understand how to do things. Not only that, but you have to understand WHY things are done. get it? Math is a very solid subject meaning there is only one answer, unlike philosophy or english or any other classes. You just have to learn to love math and learn to speak the language of math. Form study groups, listen up in class, do anything you can.

And to answer your question about dropping out and getting a GED. yes you can still become a doctor, but guess what, your gonna have to go to community college and do all the math you tried to avoid anyway. ONly now, it will be harder because It'll be taught in college so its like you taking AP math classes.
Stop panicking. I think your disdain for Math arose in the first place because you haven't discovered an effective approach to it. So you just gotta find the right person who can shine the light onto your "problem". Hiring a private tutor for one-on-one tutoring is the best way to go. But a private tutor is pricey and may not fit into your budget. So you gotta think about that too. You should explore more options. Try online tutoring, for example. Not only is it cheaper, you'll also have a worldwide choice of potential tutors to choose from! Try some online tutoring services like:

1) http://www.tuitionplaza.com/tutoring/... - tutoring by retired teachers and volunteers (free)

2) http://www.tutor.com - tutoring by professional tutors (not free)

3) ... and many more (use search engine).

Think ouside the box and you'll have more options ... Good luck!
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