Hi everyone! My highest level of math experience is Pre-Calculus before I came to college. I received an A- in Pre-Calc. I’m currently a freshman at college at UB in New York. I’m
Taking Calculus meant for intended Engineers. I’m actually undecided so I am taking courses in areas where I think I am interested in. I go to tutoring and office hours multiple
Times a week but I still struggle in Calc 1. I received a 57 on my first test and I just received my second test back and it was a 76.8.
I’m really thinking Engineering isn’t for me but maybe Math isn’t for me in general 
I work so hard but receive less than spectacular grades. Yes my second test grade was an improvement over my first but it still isn’t good. I was going to take Calculus 2 next semester to see if I want to do Engineering still but I’m thinking it is a bad idea if Calc 1 is a struggle for me
Right now. Thoughts? Thanks!! I’m also thinking of Computer Science and Occupational Therapy
I’m feeling pretty lost what major to decide now since I think I don’t have an aptitude for math. I always go to class, office hours, and tutoring hours.
Computer Science often has the same math requirements as engineering (often calc 1 - 3 and differential equations). Since so many people struggle with Calc 2, I personally would not recommend moving on…you need a good grasp of Calc 1 first. Or maybe you could schedule Calc 2 and, over winter break, work with Khan Academy or other sources to catch up to where you need to be?
You’re lucky: UB has TWO paths for computer science, one that requires calc 1&2 for engineers (BS) as you’re taking and one, the BA, that requires “Survey of Calculus and its application” 1&2 + Math Analysis - you’d cover Calc1 and 2 over three semesters, meaning the pace would be slower, and you’d start Math 122 wih stuff you’ve already seen in Calc1. Work over the winter with Khan Academy as Bodangles told you, in order to start well in math 122 in the Spring.
By looking over my second test I got back, I realized I got a lot of points taken off for dumb mistakes like forgetting parenthesis so it screwed up my answer because of distribution and I also forgot some of my basic trig properties such as cos(pi/6) so I couldn’t get the final answer. I had the Calculus processes correct. I think I currently have a B in the class. I’ve been getting all 90+ on the quizzes every week and she curved everyone’s first test grade by 20 points.
By this account, I am not sure if I am bad at math. Maybe I’m mediocre but just need practice like you both said. Thank you guys for replying! I definitely have to think if I do want to take Calc 2 in the Spring but Khan Academy sounds like a great idea for winter break 
@bodangles @MYOS1634
I’m currently in 141 right now and would be taking 142 possibly in the spring
122 + Math analysis would be one path.
You can take either 142 or 122 after 141.
Not sure if you’re counting your grade correctly - typically midterms and finals will count much more than quizzes. All the quizzes together may well be 10% of your grade only. Check your sylllabus.
You could register for 142 and if after 2 classes it seems too fast, switch to 122.
Both classes will lead you to a degree in computer science.
As you finish calculus 1, you can quiz yourself with http://www.math.buffalo.edu/rur/rurcii6.cgi to check your readiness for calculus 2. You can use it to show you which topics from calculus 1 you need to review.
You have three choices
1-take a more intermediate class in math. Like quant analysis or whatever. Just something that will expose you to math enough to get better at it
2-pick a new major
3-stick with it and probably struggle more with it
In my opinion, I would definitely consider choice one.
Good news and bad news. Calc 2 is harder than Calc 1, but Calc 3 and 2 are very different.
If you’re going into any sort of STEM field, you will need Calc 1. I think you just need to buckle down and grind it out. B in the class isn’t a bad grade.