I don't truly know if I like physics

[PseudoQuantum]

All I wanted to say regards to Apple_Mango's comment is that entrance requirement to "college", if for Community College, is very low and needs no examination; but entrance to a University has not an examination, but GRADE requirements as reported on transcripts. Dr. Courtney was discussing course prerequisites, grades, their meanings, and the value of ALEKS. Much of his emphasis was the problem of grades as a gift, which too often will mislead students into thinking they are qualified for a next-in-sequence course when they are in fact unqualified.

I don't see a comment from someone named Apple_Mango on this thread. It must have gotten removed. Could you tell me what they were talking about? If you can't reply to me on this thread, you can personal message me about it because I am curious.

 

[symbolipoint]

I don't see a comment from someone named Apple_Mango on this thread. It must have gotten removed. Could you tell me what they were talking about? If you can't reply to me on this thread, you can personal message me about it because I am curious.

It was there. I tried to quote it but must have been already removed and I did not know so that was why the error message was being displayed. Main thing I wanted to say was my statement about, "All I wanted to say, ..." really in support or understanding of what Dr.Courtney was explaining.

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Sometimes you may not like something initially, but after gaining a bit more maturity and something "presented" in the right light light you may like it.
I was really terrible at math when I was younger. My mother saves everything, so today she showed me all my old progress reports. Long story short, I never got higher than a C in anything and "he can be doing a lot better in mathematics."

When I got older, I took a few remedial courses at the community college. My geometry professor always helped me after class. I had problems with geometry. During the lecture, he would always do something neat not in the book. It gathered my interest in mathematics, and I was presented with math books at the end. I later decided to major in math.

Now, I though physics was stupid. This was a very ignorant opinion on my part... But, it turns out, I just hated the way introductory books explain mechanics. Now I really like physics!

 

[MidgetDwarf]

I worked with students that are considered first year college students. Some of them got a 3 or 4 on AP/BC calculus. Let me tell you, a majority of those students cannot even graph a curve, let alone a linear equation.

If you do go to community college. Try not to listen to other student assessments of professors. Only hear advice from a student that is hardworking and seems to be going somewhere. Oftentimes, students will say a professor cannot teach, because the professor is actually teaching the material at respected level. However, these students who I mention, never took their previous math classes serious, and they were "gifted" passing grades. Take a teacher who is difficult, but you can learn something from. Do not take professor A, because all the "lemmings" got an easy A in the class. If more than a handful of students got an A in the course, then the course was probably not a real course...

The geometry professor I mentioned above was deemed to be a bad teacher... However, this was due to him actually working hard... Was 80 yr old, and did not mind going to campus Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, just to make sure you understood the material...

 

[PseudoQuantum]

One does improve in algebra skills when studying Calculus 1

Coming back to give this old response to my old question having now finished Calculus 2 with an A. I consider my algebra skills much, much sharper after going through the calculus 1-2 sequence with As in both. I do not think they could have gotten as sharp as they did just focusing on standard precalculus problems.

This forum should be closed by a mod now, but I'm glad I could give this old response an updated comment.

 

[symbolipoint]

now finished Calculus 2 with an A. I consider my algebra skills much, much sharper after going through the calculus 1-2 sequence with As in both. I do not think they could have gotten as sharp as they did just focusing on standard precalculus problems.

You now have some wisdom.

 

[WWGD]

Coming back to give this old response to my old question having now finished Calculus 2 with an A. I consider my algebra skills much, much sharper after going through the calculus 1-2 sequence with As in both. I do not think they could have gotten as sharp as they did just focusing on standard precalculus problems.

This forum should be closed by a mod now, but I'm glad I could give this old response an updated comment.

Good job! Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[ZapperZ]

Coming back to give this old response to my old question having now finished Calculus 2 with an A. I consider my algebra skills much, much sharper after going through the calculus 1-2 sequence with As in both. I do not think they could have gotten as sharp as they did just focusing on standard precalculus problems.

This forum should be closed by a mod now, but I'm glad I could give this old response an updated comment.

This is actually one of the rare instances where we get to know "what happened afterwards?". I'm glad you did a follow-up.

Will you be transferring to somewhere after your cc?

Zz.

 

[PseudoQuantum]

Will you be transferring to somewhere after your cc?

I plan on applying to Clemson University which is in my state for transfer. I want to major in physics and minor in math. I want the minor to focus on pure math because I find pure math interesting and beautiful, and I see it as a way of increasing my mathematical maturity. I think that extra mathematical maturity could be useful because I am more interested in the theoretical side of physics, but even if it turns out not to be of much use, I won’t regret it because I love math now haha.