Am I crazy to take Statistics for my 1st pre-req during the summer?

[kaya767]

Hi all,

After years of talking about and thinking about going to nursing school, I've finally enrolled in my first pre-req- Statistics. It's a 5 week summer class, and I'm terrified because I am not a math person. The last time I took Int. Algebra was 1993. Am I crazy to do this? It was the only pre-req that was still open (probably because no one wants to take it!).

[pitaya]

You're not crazy. I got a B in College Algebra and an A in statistics. I had a friend help tutor me, so if you need help, get it!!!! If you don't understand it in class, you won't understand it when you go home to try to figure it out alone. Some people failed statistics because they were totally LOST and never tried to get help, but they knew they were lost. It just takes the right person to explain it to you and walk you through practice problems. Just get a tutor as soon as you realize you need one!

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

I did not find statistics to be "mathy". You'll still have to think and understand but it is so different from algebra. You might actually enjoy it. Give yourself ample time to get help early on like the poster said above. If you don't need the time, even better.

[Unthinkable]

Not crazy! In fact, I think it's best to get it out of the way asap because there are just soo many formulas you have to remember by the end of the quarter.

I took Statistics over a 5 week (online) course, as well. This was my least favorite of all the pre-reqs!!! And I am someone who IS a math person but stats is nothing like algebra or very "math"-like, as someone else said. It's more like busy-work, logic, etc. Most of the wrong answers I ever got were simply due to calculator error (inputting the wrong #'s or forgetting some, etc.) My advice to you is to not rush when you do the hw/exams because that's how silly mistakes come in.

Is this the only class you're taking for summer school? If it's just this, I am SURE you can handle it! Just make sure you spend time doing MANY problems until you get the hang of a concept, before moving on. The subject also isn't something you can cram overnight. So with time + dedication you'll do just fine. :)

[leenak]

I think it depends on your school on how math intensive the statistics course will be. I took a very math heavy statistics course but it also listed Calculus as a pre-req for the course. I hadn't had calculus in over 10 years so it was a bit of a challenge but I still got an A in the class. Other people have had different experiences though but if math is listed as a pre-req, you might want to brush up a bit before your class if you can.

[Nomijen]

I loved stat! And honestly, It was the easiest Math class I took. Enjoy!

[kaya767]

Thanks all! I will definitely get a tutor right away to help. I was terrible at Algebra but it sounds like Stats is not at all like Algebra which is reassuring. And I'm glad to get it out of the way in just 5 weeks. Wish me luck!