Algebra 1 to Calculus? Big Ambitions.

wonderfulreads
Sat, 09 Sep 2017 02:37:36 +0000

Nope, nope, and nope. There must have been a reason for you to drop out of Algebra I last year -what was it? You said yourself you do not feel ready to jump to Algebra II, which does not bode well for being in calculus a year from now.

I do understand your goal of taking calculus by the time you graduate, though. I would recommend taking Algebra I this year, doubling up on Geometry and Algebra II, Pre-Calc/Trig your junior year, and then take calculus.

Also, if your future goals require high level math, you may find yourself wanting to retake those classes in college anyways. I have college credit for Calc III from my junior year, but I am considering retaking it in college. Despite doing well in the class, I truly have little understanding of Calc III. But I am going to set the math portion of this post aside, and respond to what I think is the biggest issue in your post.

“I want to prove to my peers and to myself that I can do it. I absolutely must get accepted into an ivy league school.”

Number one, don’t take any classes to prove anything to your classmates. I doubt they even care or judge that much, if at all. Your classes and educational choices have no effect on your classmate’s lives, but it does have a profound effect on you. Number two, I admire your ambition to push yourself, but your plan is too extreme and stressful. Number three, please {please} drop the “I absolutely must get into an ivy league school” philosophy ASAP. You are month into your freshman year, and setting yourself up for four years of disappointment.