IIRC there isn't a whole lot more math for a civil engineering major, is there. A couple more courses of calc and then dif eq and maybe linear algebra?
I promise that if you stick with it, there will come a point where calc is little more than subtracting one...that's how easy it becomes. I would suggest getting a tutor before giving up completely.
If I were around more often, I'd gladly offer to help. I can on the weekends tho, feel free to email me at deviatednorm@gmail.com with any questions you have for coursework that isn't due until Monday.
I know several people that really struggled when they first started calc, and a tutor made all the difference in the world. Sometimes you just nead to hear it explained a new way.
And if you do decide to change directions, it absolutely is okay. It's crazy to expect that you'll know where you want to be for the next 40 or so years at such a young age. Most people change directions, and quite a few times. Had I not waited forever to declare a major, I would have had to change twice (comp sci->math->applied math). And then my favorite job so far has been as an editor for a magazine, so another huge change there.
I've been getting it explained to me from tons of different people, and it hasn't been helping. I've been going for extra help, getting pseudo tutoring (haven't officially gotten an actual tutor yet), and been working with friends and it's just not working out for me at all.
Honestly, I think it's about time that I accept that it's okay to not be good at math. Hell, I've gotten farther than most people go with math anyways, so I can at least say that I gave it a good fucking shot.
We're all working towards our own happiness so you're not really changing directions, just taking a different path to get there. A path with less mathematics involved. And that's totally fine. Engineers aren't the only people making lots of money ^_^
If you're still into building stuff but not the math, could I suggest Industrial Design or Architecture (depends on what you want to build) as a possible major switch? It's less math and more of the actual designing. Might be right up your alley and compliment the courses you've already taken so it won't be like starting from square one again.
Math destroyed me all throughout school. I did fine with adding/subtracting in like, elementary school but when it came to fractions or linear equations, I just couldn't do it. All throughout algebra, I had a tutor, my teacher and 6 other people trying to explain it all to me. I didn't learn anything and eventually my teacher just did all the tests for me. so essentially, you're a god for making it to calc. I'd of blown my own head off if I did something like that.
but in a nutshell, along the lines of what teefers said, you're not really changing directions so much as going on a different path of what you want to spend the next few years of your life building up to something that may or may not inevitably wind up being your career. your sanity and happiness are about 100 times more important than doing something you don't enjoy. so, I think you'll be alright. things will work out for you.
I kind of know how you feel. When I decided to major in Astronomy I was so excited. I mean, SPACE! I love learning about it, talking about it, reading about it. I am such a nerd. But, apparently, I cannot do calculus based physics, and I had a hard time with Calc 1 (I took it four fucking times). So, i had to give up on that major. I hate that. A lot. I know have a major that will most likely get me a job, but I really do not care about.
Anyway, changing majors is perfectly fine/normal. Lots of people do it, some even multiple times (I am on my fourth). I know that teachers and counselors give you the impression that if you do not know what you want to do in high school/by the time you get to college that you are screwed. That really is not true. There are even people who go back to school in their 60's to get new jobs. So, no worries, you're good. :D
At my school, our dropout rate for first year engineers is insanely high (usually over half the first year class). Engineering is a rough terrain. My SO just switched from chemistry to chemical engineering, with an incredibly high average and its amazing to see how much the physics classes drive him fucking nuts. You are NOT the only one. Many talented people struggle.
I also struggle with math classes. Luckily Ive gotten through my areas of Calculus early (straight out of HS, after i had taken calculus for a year) and now all we use is linear algebra. Its really that thing that you just need to *leap* over and never look back at. I really encourage that if you can get past this class with a passing mark, to continue if youre really that eager and think youll enjoy the classes, but either way an academic adviser sounds good.
P.s. Im in my fourth year and i still cant finish a 200-level class of my major on hardware concepts.
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I promise that if you stick with it, there will come a point where calc is little more than subtracting one...that's how easy it becomes. I would suggest getting a tutor before giving up completely.
If I were around more often, I'd gladly offer to help. I can on the weekends tho, feel free to email me at deviatednorm@gmail.com with any questions you have for coursework that isn't due until Monday.
I know several people that really struggled when they first started calc, and a tutor made all the difference in the world. Sometimes you just nead to hear it explained a new way.
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Honestly, I think it's about time that I accept that it's okay to not be good at math. Hell, I've gotten farther than most people go with math anyways, so I can at least say that I gave it a good fucking shot.
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so essentially, you're a god for making it to calc. I'd of blown my own head off if I did something like that.
but in a nutshell, along the lines of what teefers said, you're not really changing directions so much as going on a different path of what you want to spend the next few years of your life building up to something that may or may not inevitably wind up being your career. your sanity and happiness are about 100 times more important than doing something you don't enjoy. so, I think you'll be alright. things will work out for you.
Reply
Anyway, changing majors is perfectly fine/normal. Lots of people do it, some even multiple times (I am on my fourth). I know that teachers and counselors give you the impression that if you do not know what you want to do in high school/by the time you get to college that you are screwed. That really is not true. There are even people who go back to school in their 60's to get new jobs. So, no worries, you're good. :D
Reply
I also struggle with math classes. Luckily Ive gotten through my areas of Calculus early (straight out of HS, after i had taken calculus for a year) and now all we use is linear algebra. Its really that thing that you just need to *leap* over and never look back at. I really encourage that if you can get past this class with a passing mark, to continue if youre really that eager and think youll enjoy the classes, but either way an academic adviser sounds good.
P.s. Im in my fourth year and i still cant finish a 200-level class of my major on hardware concepts.
Reply
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