10 Tips for Whipping the Math Requirement

Reader Comments
Back to blog

The first paragraph sums me up...3rd attempt begins this August...again.

Ithica of GA 10:56AM April 17, 2011

I think we should blame those so-called teachers
we had back in Elementary. Then we should blame the Math department!!!! They know people in this country don't know math.

ZEXY MAN of NV 2:33AM October 01, 2009

I struggled in basic math, One class of math is all that separates me from my BA,sadly.

Nina Platter of WA 3:05PM September 06, 2009

I'm a business major and am required to learn calculus. After years of taking other subjects that are unrelated and I couldn't care less about, this irrelevant nonsense is also required. For business, you only need to know a little algebra and some stats. I personally think it is done so that yet more students will fail and the math department can enrich itself from "repeaters". Most people I know LOATHE math.

Donopvan of ID 10:21PM August 16, 2009

I am a professional math tutor with over 26 years tutoring experience. I don't agree with all your points for students. For one thing, instructors leave *TOO* much homework. Doing 50-100 problems will not make them better students. It would be better if 10-20 problems were assigned, then afterwards the instructor can go over most in class the next day.
I have found the #1 factor for students to do well in their math classes is to have a "good" teacher. Unfortunately, most college math professors may be brilliant at mathematics, but can't teach a rock to stay still. Most I have encountered are arrogant and demeaning to students. Non-English speakers are a MAJOR problem you seem to brush off in your article. There needs to be a more stringent process to selecting professors to teach. If you cannot understand what your instructor is saying, you cannot learn the math!
My suggestion to students is to sit-in several classes of different professors to see how they are. Many schools have "Teacher Evaluations" that students fill out. See if you can read them. Find out about their test/quiz/homework policies. Do they take attendance in class? (A real time waster!).
Finally, do get tutoring, even if you are an "A" student. Most schools offer a variety of programs. Some are located in dorms, others are for Athletes, minorities, student counsel, Academic Services, Greek Houses, etc. If you need to pay for a private tutor, shop around too, and ask many questions.
Luis Anthony Ast,
The Video Math Tutor

Luis Anthony Ast of AZ 7:14PM August 05, 2009

how many people have had their college experience (in other majors) "blown up" by a math requirement---and whether some people ought to be picking their college based on the degree of math nonsense that may be in their history (for instance) major.
I got a perfectly good accounting degree years ago with very little math---other than some statistics and probability. Today that might be harder to do---but why.
Nobody uses college algebra in real life.

Muser of NM 6:15PM August 05, 2009