DOOL Discussion Group

Topic: That was fun!!

I would like to go on record and say that -- everyone was right.  :)  About everything.  LOL 

I had fun, it was exciting, nothing to be scared of, etc. 

I can already tell that I'm a way different person than I was at 17/18.  It really does make a difference to have a real reason to learn.  I want to know this stuff, not just learn enough to pass an exam, to pass a class.  While I still don't know where you use Algebra in the "real world", I still want to actually understand it.  My math teacher was saying that she loves math, is excited by math.....why can't I have that excitement? 

So, I took a diagnostic test in both classes....so the teacher can see where everyone is.  I got 64% right on the math.  She said, "if anyone is making below 60%, I highly recommend the lower math class" -- so I squeaked by.  What is ironic though, is the stuff that she said most people missed, I got right!!  I didn't have a problem with adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing fractions.  I've got that!  I even understand negative and positive integers.  Those are the things she said the majority of the class didn't get. 

We had to write an essay in the writing class.  Topic was "most important day of your life and why".  Guess what I wrote about?  When my Kelli Rose was born, because that's when I became a mother, when I grew up, when my life changed, when we became a family.  I had the material, excellent material!!  I just don't know if I got the format right.  Much better material than what I was given for my placement exam...something about whether new students should live in a dorm or off campus.  Heck if I know, only experience I've got with that is movies!  LOL

Both teachers are great!!  Both very down to earth and easy to talk to.  Seems like the math teacher's teaching skills might work with my learning math issues.  LOL  The writing teacher was about my age, maybe a bit older, and just very friendly.  I looked at these teachers as people, not intimidating creatures.  That's also what's different from HS.  ;-)

Sorry so long, but I'm excited!  I came home and Toby said my face was all lit up and energized.  :)

No homework yet.  Yah! 

THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!!!  This topic and my other one has overwhelmed me with responses, and I haven't had time to get back to all of you. 

I seriously don't know what I'd do without all of your support.  When things get tough (which I know they will), I know I'll be able to think of all of you in my corner. 

Thank you for continuing to be here for me through the years.  Through my divorce when I was still a kid, my move to Houston 10 years ago, getting married again, pregnant twice, and now this. 

Traci, your post made my day!!!  I'm so happy for you!!  Now get this graphic on a t-shirt and you'll score an A on every test!  LOL!

Congrats! You are on your way!

I remember my first college class a hundred years ago.  I was 25yrs old and took a Saturday morning class. I was the only one in the class who had a mini stapler LOL I was the go-to gal for any needed school supplies!

Keep up the good work! I am taking Algebra this fall! yucko!

My co-worker just had her first night of class and just now she mentioned she already has homework for a presentation next week. She has to do some elaborate thing on 'Emphasis and Domination in the Realm of Graphic Design'. I wonder if she's pooping her pants like I did when I first started in Savannah.

Replies: (list all replies)

OMG, Calculus. I think Algebra lulls you into a false sense of security about Calculus. Alegra was fine for me and Calculus was like ''WTF is this wacko crap?!'' eom Martimmy

LOL...exactly! Algebra was quite easy I found. Calculus is a different type of demon....one I never want to encounter again! Sephora

Doesn't Calculus have imaginary numbers? That was where I drew the line. Could you imagine if I had ''imaginary design''. I'd love to show a client that! ''Trust me, it looks really good! I used imaginary design. It's very complicated.'' eom Martimmy

Whoaa you're right, it DID...I'm not surprised I blocked that out. Really....WHO comes up with that crap? LOL at imaginary design...that would fly! I wish calculus was imaginary! Remember optimization theory? That was another doozy. I remember being in university writing a 3 hour Calculus exam and I was staring at a blank sheet of paper with the optimization problem at the top. I could have stared at it the entire 3 hours without having an epiphany. So I flipped the page and decided I'd go back to it...except I had to keep flipping LOL...the rest were just as bad. The only part of Calculus that I didn't mind too too much were derivatives. Sephora

Imaginary numbers aren't ''crap''. They are useful in solving complex problems, and are used every day in a variety of fields (such as electrical engineering). You can think of them as placeholders for values that could not otherwise be depicted. The problem is that most math classes teach you the mechanics without explaining the use, so most students come out of those classes assuming that most of the stuff they learn is ''stupid'', ''useless'', ''etc.'' eom--RK

The use probably was not defined very well. But no matter, I defined that after calculus, I wanted no part at all in that type of stuff whatsoever. eom Martimmy

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Posted by: RK
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 9:57:53 2008
Message:

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! I love school, too, so long as it's with a good teacher.

As for where you can use algebra, well, honestly, if you don't have a profession that requires it, you may not use it much, *but*, I think knowing the basics is important not only because it increasing your understanding of math, but also because it is an essential skill that can come in handy. I have used basic algebra concepts when trying to figure out how much I have exercised, how much I paid for something, etc. Some people have difficulty doing these things, and others do it without realizing they are using algebra. I also use it when solving mathematical brain teasers, and while that may not be necessary for life, it's fun and keeps the brain sharp. If you ever want to learn more about any field, such as business, which relies on math, you'll need to know algebra. It's one of those basics. There are people who rarely use long division, but I know that I would feel like I don't know something basic if I didn't know how to do it.

Anyway, sounds like you've got the right spirit taking these classes. Good luck with the rest of the semester! :-)

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Posted by: auntie en
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 8:51:23 2008
Message:
I am so excited for you Traci. This will be so great for you. I have had to take classes to update my teacher certificate every couple years, and I so enjoy being an adult in the college classes. I was so flighty and scatterbrained and shortsighted when I was 19, like you said, I would look for the bare minimum to get the grade I needed. Now that you have the passion and the focus, you will do awesome!

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Posted by: ingyandbert
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 8:47:26 2008
Message:
Traci, I'm so glad to hear your first day went so well.  You definitely have the right attitude.  Don't be afraid to treat your professors as partners in your education and go to them with questions, concerns, and ideas.  They are there to help guide you and most enjoy taking a little extra time with motivated students.

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Posted by: Paulsmom
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 8:09:45 2008
Message:

That's the way community colleges are - that's why, for some people, they are better for starting out than large universities - emphasis on community.

 

Yay!

 

See?

 

Love,

PM

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Posted by: lifetimeviewer
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 7:20:06 2008
Message:

WOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Traci!!

 

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Posted by: Lisa P
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 3:41:44 2008
Message:
I had to make it to a particular level of Algebra to get as far as I have and let me tell you, I still hate it. LOL!!! The key is I made it though and so will you. I will NEVER use it, but that's okay. I am so excited for you. Just remember to keep up the excitement. It can get harder and frustrating, but then you have those good days. You should be very proud of yourself.

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Posted by: cc
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 0:23:12 2008
Message:
Good job Traci.  I'm glad things went well & sounds like you feel comfortable.  I am so proud of you.  I hope you are proud of yourself, too. 

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Posted by: Mel
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 0:20:29 2008
Message:

Traci, I just started posting here recently, but I lurked for awhile and have followed your story.  Your post just brought tears to my eyes.  I'm so happy for you.

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Posted by: fuzzwuzz
Date posted: Wed Aug 27 0:06:23 2008
Message:
Oh, I am so glad it went well for you!!!  I am sure there still will be doubtful days ahead but try to keep the future in mind when those get you down!  YOU CAN do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by: ML
Date posted: Tue Aug 26 23:45:32 2008
Message:

You just made me smile...

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Posted by: Lisa M
Date posted: Tue Aug 26 23:43:02 2008
Message:
I'm glad it is going well! Even though I mostly enjoyed school back in the day, I still found that it was totally different going back as an adult too. You just have a totally different mindset when you are going because you want to, instead of going because you HAVE TO.

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