I got a C in AP Calculus. My whole life, I had an A in Math as it was my favorite subject ever (still is). But quarter two has been a ‘negative absolution function’ (math joke). This quarter, my highest grade was a B-. My lowest Math grade prior to this quarter was a B+.
So, I want to know if my goal to become a computer engineer at a prestigious university is destined for this quarter filled with poor grades? I’m a senior and it’s too late to improve my grade.
I feel like a failure… Math was my thing. And now, it has betrayed me. I worked extremely hard for these test and aced practice test but when it came to the real deal, I screwed up real bad. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I FEEL LIKE A COMPLETE FAILURE!
OK, this is coming from a math teacher in a college prep school.
Deep breaths… it will all be OK.
You’re not a “complete failure.” You’re… brace yourself… human.
I’m glad you asked what you can do, because THAT shows me what kind of a kid you are. You’re not whining that it was unfair, that you deserve better, that the teacher is bad or that the other kids had some sort of an unfair advantage. You’re asking what YOU can do to pull up your grade.
In my book, that means you’ll find your way.
So take a look at your tests for the semester. Where did you go wrong?
Did you rush through them and make careless errors? Did you not get the basic concepts? How much time and effort did you put into the homework? When you realized you were in trouble, what did you do?
You’re a high school kid taking a college course. It’s entirely possible that you simply were not ready for AP Calc, and that next year it will be your easiest course.
The one problem with these forums is the incredibly high number of kids who are either brilliant or claim to be. And it can make a normal human feel unworthy, stupid and a whole host of words you’ve probably called yourself already.
Let me repeat my main advice: Deep breaths. It will all be OK.
@bjkmom , Thanks for the quick response. After analyzing what went wrong in taking these test, I can say that time-management during the test seems to be the killer. Last test I skipped two pages! And they were some of the easiest questions ever!
So, as a Math teacher, could you give me some tips on how to pace yourself during a Calculus test and some other tips to help me ace the AP course?
Thanks a lot.
OK, great. The fact that you had such a quick answer means you’ve given this some thought already. I’m liking you more and more with each post.
The easiest fix I can give you in approaching a similar test is this:
First, do the problems you KNOW you’ll get right-- short ones first, longer ones afterwards.
Then go back and look at the problems you’ll have to slow down for. Think of tests as almost a scavenger hunt, except that you’re looking to accumulate points. So get the quick ones first, then go back for the ones that will cost you time.
How about this as an exercise-- retake that same test. Retype the questions, and sit down with a timer-- and try it my way. Do the questions you KNOW you could have aced first, and stop when the timer is up. See how your score compares.
Are you in high school? Just want to make sure.
One thing that will help you, if you are still in high school, is to be more flexible in your thinking about the future. Planning too far in advance can cause stress and also actually limit opportunities, because you are more rigid with such concrete goals.
Sorry for the side comment but your panic at this grade seems related to a future goal that is far away.
Many people who are talented in math experience this kind of thing. As you said, it is a problem with test-taking. You will improve. If you love math, don’t let this set you back or make you despair.
If you are doing math because of your stated future goal, though, try to stay flexible about plans and follow your true interests and talents as you make your way through college.
This is not your first post where you assume a small issue will cause a catastrophic result. Is it possible that you have a tendency to “awfulize” things? I’m not asking to minimize your feelings or to avoid responding to your question, but because if you find yourself often having reactions that are disproportionate to the events, a larger issue may be how you process and cope with things.
Do you have someone you trust in your daily life that you can get a little feedback from on the subject of how you process setbacks?
@milee30 , my parents do tell me that I am poor in time management and tend to take a lot of stress.
@bjkmom , Thanks for that strategy. Quite unique actually. Will try and give you the feedback ASAP
How supportive would your parents be about you seeking some help with those issues?
Could you phrase it something like this: “Mom, it’s really important to me to be successful in both high school and college. Lately, I’ve been getting overwhelmed. I’m so worried about getting the right grades and how to do all the other things I need to get into a good college that I just can’t seem to focus, get organized or even move on a plan. I just got my first bad grade in math and you know that’s not normal for me. Not only that, but I’m so worried that every little thing that happens, like this bad test grade, will cause my life to be ruined that the worry is causing even more stress and preventing me from doing what I need to do. Can we make an appointment with __________ to help me figure how how to 1) manage my time effectively and 2) manage stress?”
_____ will need to be filled in with whatever resources you have available locally that your family can afford. Could be a licensed child psychologist, a guidance counselor (who might refer you to someone else), a trusted clergy member who does counseling, etc.
But do get some help with this. If you can’t talk to your parents about it, let us know and we can come up with some other ideas.
It’s called “catastrophizing.” 
If you have trouble with time management, have you been evaluated for ADHD or executive function issues? I am not pathologizing here but if you are having multiple experiences that cause you stress, perhaps there is professional help that could be of benefit. Or just talking to someone.
That said, it is pretty normal for teens to be stuck in the present and a bad test in the present moment can upset anyone. Be upset. That’s fine and expected. But don’t extend it out into the future. That is where the catastrophizing comes in.
As you grow, you may see that sometimes bad experiences can help guide you, so instead of disasters, they can be opportunities or guidance. Hard to see now I know.
It is not a unique method to do the easy and fast problems first on the test, leaving the hard snd slow ones for later. Good test takers in high school, in college, and on standardized tests commonly use this method.
" It’s called “catastrophizing.” "
Not “awfulizing”? 
Obviously, I’m not a psychiatrist. Nor do I play one on TV.
I agree-- as much as I would love to take credit for the approach-- and will willingly accept any royalties-- it’s simple common sense. I’ve advised my students, particularly those who have trouble finishing a test, to follow it for years-- as have many of my colleagues.
@bjkmom -
I tried the do the easy, fast ones approach with my oldest son when he was third grade. Boy, did it backfire - he spent the entire test trying to figure out WHICH problems were the easiest for him to solve and failed the test. He is mildly Aspie and very literal. The approach did work with my other kids, but with the oldest, I had to tell him to take the number of problems on the test, divide by the amount of time for the test and allocate that amount of time to each problem. If he finished a problem early, he could use the extra time later on. That worked better for him.
As for the OP - I agree that some counseling might be a good idea. This is a very stressful time of life.
Right. No one system will work for everyone.
That’s why I suggested the OP redo an old test… nothing to lose.
Is this AB or BC? Is it just a semester class or do you have a chance to bring it up this semester? I think math can be a maturity thing - knew several kids who did poor when accelerated math in middle school and dropping back a level and giving it another year was all it took. Point is, work as hard as you can on being sure you are clear on the basics. Ask parents if you can get some tutoring with someone who will see where your problem is. No reason why you won’t be prepared for college math - many programs encourage kids with AP credit not to use it to skip over classes anyway if you have to continue taking math for your major area so look at this as a head start on college calculus.
Better Learn this phrase: “Would you like fries with that?”
Come on. Get realistic. If your a senior, your grades have already been submitted to the colleges of your choice haven’t they? The schools either have, or will be shortly, making their decision. Your life isn’t ruined. And heck, in AP Calc, you get a second bite at the apple – the AP test. Pass that and maybe you get credit for it at college. Others have given good advice with regard to test taking and evaluation. Good luck.
Chiiiillllll. Things happen. One lower grad is in no way the end of the world. You are also in an AP class so just the fact you were able to pass the class is all that anyone is going to see.
Please…stop. You won’t be a lifetime failure because of one math test grade or even one math course grade.
Just like you won’t be a lifetime failure if you do not attend an elite college.
Good answer @bjkmom - my about to be nursing student it STRUGGLING with AP Statistics … and the concepts build on each other so the struggle just kept getting worse. I got her a tutor and told her to go back to square 1 with him and figure out WHERE exactly she stopped ‘getting it’