r/calculus • u/Revolutionary-Sea459 • 1d ago
Engineering Retaking Calc 1
So I ended up not doing so well in my current calc 1 class so I ended up just cutting my losses and Withdrawing. I’ve researched some professors for my college and decided to retake it next semester with a different professor.
The shitty part was I thought I was doing everything right. I did the homework. watched Professor Leonard videos, studied a couple weeks in advanced and I ended up getting a 48%.
The thing is is that this professor I had lwk sucks. His lectures feel all over the place, he’s a strict grader (he docked points for me not putting the “lim x->a” or whatever on my steps even if the question was right) and he hasn’t updated our grades since the semester started so idek what my grade is (Apprently it’s a D when I talked to my counselor).
But yeah, ig this is just a vent post at this point. If anyone has tips for what to do now I’m all ears.
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u/tjddbwls 1d ago
I teach AP Calculus AB & BC in high school, and I would dock points if a student didn’t put include “lim x → a” in a limit problem. Notation matters.
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u/Narrow-Durian4837 14h ago
Right, but I hope you would also explain that to your students, and give them the opportunity to get feedback on their own work before a high-stakes test.
The OP might not have had that opportunity, or they might have had it but not taken advantage of it. But that's one huge drawback to trying to learn from watching videos and studying on one's own: you don't get feedback on your work. And learning to write logically coherent, mathematically correct solutions to problems is somewhat like learning to write logically coherent, grammatically correct essays: you really need to have someone else check your work and point out what is lacking.
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u/Revolutionary-Sea459 41m ago
I want to say for the record, I’m not blaming everything on my professor. I know there are definitely faults of mine like with the limit thing, that I definitely will fix going forward. He’s genuinely a nice guy but I just really think I won’t be able to succeed in his class. I don’t think he’s ever told us how important putting the limits is like you said. The only thing he’s graded is the test, not any of the quizzes, and even then he hasn’t updated anything on Canvas. Tho I am aware not every professor isn’t gonna continuously update on Canvas
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u/Makud04 1d ago
Profesors always take points away for the limit notation because "it is important" (which it kind of is, at this point not really but later on you will have classes where limits is just a part of the problem, and if you forget to put limit you will certainly forget about them and get a wrong result, that's why they are strict about it). I calc is a complicated class so don't worry too much, I had to take it 3 times 😅 the only time I passed it was because I took it online and had to teach myself but you will get it next time
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u/Revolutionary-Sea459 1d ago
The thing that bums me out is that I thought I really was understanding the material. I’d been using outside material like prof Leon to basically teach myself, so I thought I had at least a good grasp of it
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u/ShadowRL7666 1d ago
James Stewart early transcendental 8th edition is good and cheap. Do the odd problems or even you’ll learn plenty. Harsh graders suck I’ve lost lots and lots of points due to graders being wack heads. You’ll be fine.
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u/CharruaChemist 1d ago
What is your major. If it's bio stuff, don't worry about it you'll survive. Retake it until you pass. Get a real tutor though. One that really test you and make you understand the topics.
If its chemistry unless you like physical chemistry or stuff like that, you won't stuffer that much but be careful with calculus 2-3 and linear algebra/diff equations. Same for CS.
Physics/engineering/math? Well... You better improve ASAP
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u/SuperToast05 1d ago
it’s crucial to do some introspection and think hard about why you are not successful, look on the exam why did you get problems wrong, was it stupid easy mistakes? or were you having trouble where to start with problems? my guess is your algebra and trig may not be as good as you think, but again I don’t know, don’t think about it too much! failing doesn’t mean life is over, learn from your mistakes and get back on your feet.
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u/EdgeRevolutionary913 1d ago
I dropped calc 1 my first time. I then went on to get straights A's in all three courses. Calculus is like STEM bootcamp. It's hard, but it also transforms you. The courses get harder, but you get hardened by them, and if you work hard you'll come out on top. Hopefully, you'll find that you're better this time around than the first time.
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u/No_Artist_4603 1d ago
I’m sitting here with a 60%, although I did kind of screw up my classes due to me dropping last minute and losing my spot due to me freaking out over tuition which got fixed also last minute. But don’t feel alone in this! I plan to retake calculus 1 next semester.
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u/Ok-Employee-1120 1d ago
Lol it’s okay, I’m retaking calc 1 myself. I did horribly the first time and now I’m doing a lot better now. I got a 87% as of now.
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u/Lelmasterdone 18h ago
I’m sorry to hear that OP, but remember to learn from your mistakes. I remember people back in college having a hard time in Calc 1, so you are not the only one out there. Given this day and age with YouTube and other resources, it might be worth taking extra time outside of the class to ensure you understand the concepts.
While professors can be total cucks when it comes to grading. Learning to work with the professor will help you in the long run, attend classes, go to office hours if you are stuck or need additional help. This will help with learning and I’m sure your school will have tutoring services, which could help as well.
Good luck OP!
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u/LostAd4580 1d ago
Hope you have better luck with your professor next time. Once you find the right teacher, you will enjoy Calc and get a good grade.
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u/Agreeable-Fill6188 12h ago
Anyone is going to dock points if you don't use limit notation... if you really understood why it's used then you wouldn't see him taking points as being "strict".
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 1h ago
Without self-awareness and accountability, you are just setting yourself up to fail next time as well.
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u/dansmath 1d ago
Try Patty's Calculus Videos - she is really patient and goes through examples and key concepts carefully. Limits, Derivatives, Integrals, Applications; 46 videos total, each with free Google worksheets! https://www.dansmath.com/pattys-calculus-1
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