<p>There are some lucky ones who are just naturally good at it. I’m fairly okay with it. If I try really really hard, I can get average. I know it’s not one of my natural talents, but surely, people who don’t have math/science as their natural talent have succeeded as well. How did they do it? I pretty much spend all of my time either in school, or studying, with very good instructors too, but it seems like no matter how hard I try, I can’t do too well. The material is very demanding, but that’s what keeps me studying. It’s very difficult, but believe it or not, I actually like the stuff, especially after I understand it. The instructor says I just need to get used to it and the style. But he’s naturally good at it. So what about people who aren’t naturally good at it but have succeeded in it? What’s their story?</p>
<p>practice. k.</p>
<p>hard work, eh? Lots and lots of time. More than you think is necessary. That’s the only true key to success.</p>
<p>I found out that I had to read the textbook to do well so make sure you do that if it works for you. The most important thing is to do as many practice problems as you can and do them until you can get most of them right. Just make sure you’re actually writing out the answers and figuring it out on your own. Study a lot and work with your teacher/professor/tutor when you need help. Good luck!</p>
<p>It’s not like I don’t study or don’t know the material. When someone ask me questions about the material, I can answer it. But when I take the test or quizzes, it’s like, I have an idea of how to do it, but somehow I just keep screwing it up. My grades should really be much higher, but I don’t know why I keep messing up. Sometimes, it’s like, I know it’s wrong, but I pick the wrong answer anyway. I’m not sure what kind of problem this is, but I know if I don’t identify it and fix it sooner, it’s really going to screw me up when I shouldn’t be. Does anybody know what kind of case this is?</p>
<p>I don’t think your problem is your ability in math or science courses I think you have test anxiety. Your school should have services that aide students with this problem. Good luck</p>
<p>I know the answer, but I won’t tell you unless you give me something in return. this is called tradeoff, man.</p>
<p>whoa, you select wrong answers even though you know they’re wrong??? Do you mean when you get the test back you’re like “oh man, how stupid of me” or do you mean physically during the test you know the answer is wrong but you choose it anyway?</p>
<p>Actually, I do that. If an answer doesn’t make sense I wont write it down even if I know it’s correct. Do you only find tests hard or just the work in general? If it’s only the tests then, yes, it’s probaby test anxiety. If it’s more general then maybe have someone explain it differently. Your teachers might be really good but their methods might not work for you. Either way, if it’s something you love persue it and you’ll succeed. If you don’t love it, then choose something you do love.</p>
<p>how do you know it’s right if it doesnt make sense?</p>
<p>As an avg person in engineering I can say this much, practice. Lots and lots and lots of practice. And repetition lots and lots of repitition. And do tons of examples. Oh and be willing to sacrifice free time to study, this is very important. Yes you do need to go out and do stuff but you need to cut that time, to have more time to study. Its a crappy way to live as I have come to find but it brings results, and you always have break time to do whatever you want.</p>
<p>^ i agree 100% with bigndude</p>
<p>Well, when I take tests, the first answer I pick is usually right. But I think I should probably double check my work, so I start to convince myself of another answer, then I also start to question that answer, and debate which one is right. And I just end up confusing myself. Whenever we do reviews, they seem pretty easy to me, but I get kind of shaky when it’s test time. I either get too nervous or I get too relaxed.</p>
<p>i used to change the answers i had written and they were right to begin w/. just go w/ your first instinct and absolutely don’t change answers unless you <em>know</em> you’re changing it to the right answer. (like an “oh, duh, i just remembered that, it’s actually this answer” moment)</p>
<p>There’s a memory bias in changing answers. You remember the times you change and get it wrong, but you don’t remember the times you change and get it right (because when you get the test back you check for the wrong answers).</p>
<p>Why not major in something that you’re naturally good at? Usually the things that people are most talented in are the things that they most enjoy doing. Also, research has demonstrated that the people who gain the most in skills when taught a subject are those who are naturally the best at the subject. Why bust butt be mediocre in a subject when with the same effort, one might be at the top of the field in a subject that matches your natural talents?</p>
<p>Think about it: Do you really want to spend 30 or more years working in a field that is a struggle for you and that’s not really fun when you could spend the same amount of time in a field that you love and are excelling in?</p>
<p>perhaps he should bust butt northstarmom cause being average in say engineering, leads to a somewhat lucrative job. also, the OP said after he understood the material he enjoyed it, so if this is true, my advice would be to stick with it. </p>
<p>dont let other people what you can’t do, even if they think they are being helpful / well meanin’</p>
<p>OP, there are very few people who get by with just raw talent. The rest of us make do with what we have, and we work hard to close the gap. Natural ability certainly isn’t biggest factor in succeeding in what you enjoy doing. It is effort, and dedication. If you can keep this in mind, then I’m sure you’ll just just as well as those who are just “naturally good at it.” Work harder than you think you can, and I’m sure you’ll succeed.</p>
<p>If you like math/science, then it’s definitely worth the extra work. I’m really not that strong of a student so far in college level math and science, but I know the hard work will pay off when I get to do bio research the rest of my life!</p>