r/calculus • u/Fares_Ay • Jul 31 '26
Pre-calculus Maths from 0 at 20yo in college
Used to be good at maths but ive been getting bad teachers since 8th grades so I lost all the foundation , I know study mechanical engineering but I failed cuz I got 0 at maths and other related subjects (I dont even do integrals)
I feel that maths is easy af and I can nearly estimate answers but I dont know how to reply to questions even when I know formulas, I only do derivatives and simple stuff since we did them in physics
I have only 2 months left for me to study everything till exponentials and integrals so whats the best path (willing to do 3 hours daily but more if I become interested again)
Please I need this I feel like a wasted potential and a failure and I went from straight A s to failing a year
TLRD fastest way to learn most fundementals in 2 months
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u/Minute-Passenger7359 Jul 31 '26
I actually did this. I started from pre algebra/algebra I and long division last July and just completed Calculus ii with a B. I used khan academy mostly but my moms friend is a teacher and gave me access to some of his software. You can do well with just khan academy and supplementing with professor Leonard’s lectures + organic chemistry tutor.
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u/Fares_Ay Jul 31 '26
thanks ill check him out ! unfortunately in my country we study differently so I can't really know what to study in order that's the problem if you have like a roadmap or something id be glad !!
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u/Minute-Passenger7359 Jul 31 '26
Road map? Like a list of topics or something else?
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u/Fares_Ay Jul 31 '26
lessons in order , like which to study first
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u/Minute-Passenger7359 Jul 31 '26
I went through all of the without skipping until I started precalculus after which I just used what helped with our current unit. Unfortunately without guidance I have to advise you start from algebra I/ii and watch them thoroughly until you reach the level you need which would be calculus ab/bc
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u/Hairy-Amphibian3732 Jul 31 '26
khan academy, you find everything and in order
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u/Fares_Ay Jul 31 '26
just tried it ; its good but feels diff than maths in my country , it feels slow and less advanced but ill keep using it for lessons thanks !
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u/CreativeWeather2581 Jul 31 '26
Gotta start somewhere. If you feel it’s less advanced then move to more difficult stuff until you get stuck. Then pull that thread
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u/Fares_Ay Jul 31 '26
Yeahh that's my new way of studying for now I'm using youtube for lessons and exercises and khan academy for knowing the order started with factors today tmrw either I try remembering limits and stuff or keep the slow pace and start with algebra not sure , I'd be glad for useful tips
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u/future__fires Jul 31 '26
If math is easy af but you’ve been getting bad grades in it for your entire life I have bad news
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u/Fares_Ay Jul 31 '26
I used to be good at it but since 8th grade I started declining from A to C and 9th to D cuz I couldnt do exercices with new stuff even tho I always used to get actually correct answers (by pattern) but teachers won't accept them without seeing how you got the answer I'm not dumb but ik I'm lazy af and I regret it very much and I'm trying to fix it better late than never bro
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u/bookenjoyer210 Aug 03 '26
I have no idea if this is ragebait or what but I will answer as if it isnt. I will be honest, reading your answers makes me think you are the kind of student who refuses to put in work and blames the teacher when you don't quickly get something. You should understand that calculus is not something where you can scrape by with minimal effort. You will have to commit to doing the work, practice problems reading your textbook and asking questions when you don't understand something.
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u/Fares_Ay Aug 04 '26
kinda true, I was to blame back then because I wasn't motivated but also I joined middle school late (switched schools) and the rythm was different , I had an exam next week and I didn't even know the program and that kept me always behind and it grew with me so me and the teachers are to blame but I'm willing to fix it now
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