Do you have to take algebra?

crb613, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

Yes I did & I feel your pain! I had NEVER had algebra in my life & I thought I would die. I have always hated math & had a fear of it. I took pre-algebra w/several other classes & made an A! I then took college algebra during a summer session w/a lot of other classes. It was kinda a do/or die type of thing, I made a B & was thrilled to death! It was a night class 3 hrs long.....since it was during the summer it was extremely fast paced & some nights I would cry all the way home. I did it & so can you....I promise you no one could possibly be more terrified or any worse at math than me. I made up my mind I would pass...that was my goal. I spent a lot of time doing problems over & over....once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad.If you already know how to do the pre-algebra stuff you are already way ahead of where I was.....I knew nothing. Set your mind for success......that I learned was half the battle. I won't tell you it will be easy...you may want to pull your hair out as a matter of fact....but how bad do you want to conquer this? I was so proud of myself I faced the math monster & I won! You can too....now get in there & just pass!

Good Luck :wink2:

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 4, 2005

I hate math myself and am taking intermediate algebra online right now. I really like the way I do it because it comes with a disc that shows you what you are doing in addition to telling you verbally. You also interact with it by answering questions or completeing steps. Maybe that type of course would be of benefti to you?

Achoo!, LPN · Nov 4, 2005

Yup, we need algebra and chemistry before we can apply to the program. ewwww!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

Something that could help you is to get a book like "Cliffs Notes for Algebra". This book really helps you understand the formulas. There are lots of examples. I went through this book and one other (can't remember title) and put all of the formulas in a notebook (written in red ink), then a problem or two worked out (black or blue ink). All of the topics were in my notebook, kindof like chapter such as integers, fractions, etc. It was really helpful. Too bad the girl I loaned my notes to, failed to see the importance of appriciation by failing to RETURN my notes to me, along with the books! I am still hunting down my other "friend" to return my A&P book and class notes that she borrowed 2 years ago. She only lives across town, but can never seem to find them. Lesson learned! Don't ever lend books and notes to ANYONE! I always try to help people and it ends up hurting me. Wow...I guess I needed to get something off my chest, huh? Sorry I went off topic.

Woogy

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2005

You're playing mind games with yourself. If you can take pre-Algerbra and make an A, you can take Algergra and at least pass, if not do better than that.

Don't let fear of failing cripple you. If you write the story that you're not good in math and you're going to fail, you're going to make it harder on yourself.

Why not "gee, I'm making an A in the math that says I'm ready for Algerbra. So then, I must be ready for Algergra, and I can do this, and I can make a good grade."

Good luck.

BoonersmomRN · Nov 4, 2005

We didn't necessarily have to take Algebra but we had to take anything from Algebra -upwards according to my schools math rankings. I took Statistics instead- plus it was a 4 credit and Algebra was a 3 credit.

Keep your chin up! You can do it:)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2005

I barely passed Algebra II in high school. (We had pre & II, or something like that). The ONLY reason I did pass is because a great friend of mine came in everyday during the first semester and checked my homework. He sat down and explained to me what I did wrong, and how it was supposed to be completed.

This guy, who called me, "His Little Cowgirl" was killed (DOA) in a carwreck right before Christmas vacation while I was out for an extended time b/c of a surgery.

I decided then I owed it to him to pass the second semester. I did. I don't know by how much, but I did.

I passed my college entrance exams, but only tested into 091, the second level of "pre"algebra classes. I made a B in that course. I went and retook the exam, and I was only 2 points away from testing into College Algebra. I asked my 091 instructor, which just happened to be the dean of mathmatics, if he would sign it off so I wouldn't have to take 093. He did.

I went into college Algebra for 2 days, but I couldn't understand a word the man said. (Had a strong foreign accent, it was toooooo hard for me to understand him.)

Anyway.....the reason I spilled my guts here is to say, that was back in 1992/3. I didn't take & complete College Algebra until 2001, and I made a B.

During that semester, I was working, my grandmother became ill, and passed away. I still managed a B. I was SOOOOOOO proud of that B after what I overcame in my past when it came to Algebra.

So, Tweety is right. Don't go in thinking negative. If you can make an A in pre-Algebra, you can pass regular Algebra! You can do it! Try your hardest, and be determined! Good luck :)

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Nov 5, 2005

All I can say is just be glad you don't have to take calculus...like me...independently...and learn it in 7 weeks....and pass it with a C. Ya'll pray for me. :uhoh3:

:stone

Fun2, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2005

All I can say is just be glad you don't have to take calculus...like me...independently...and learn it in 7 weeks....and pass it with a C. Ya'll pray for me. :stone :stone :stone

Needless to say, I didn't take calculus or Trig in high school.

You can do it though! :) Have you started it yet?

boomerfriend · Nov 5, 2005

I ended up taking Math 092 in an accelerated format over the summer and got an A. Then went on to take College Algebra and got an A. This is from the gal that shivered whenever someone mentions anything math related. I hadn't touched algebra for well over 20 years and barely passed it in High School. I never helped my kids with their homework (go ask your Dad...) I attribute it to great teachers who explained things step-by-step, going to tutors and doing ALL the problems in the homework assignments. I was doing 10-12 pages of homework every evening.

Now I can help my kids with their algebra and actually know what I'm doing. What a great feeling.

My recommendation is to get a teacher who really relates to you. Ask around at school and see who's good. There's good ones and then there's unbelievably hard ones. Anyone can pass these classes if you spend the time and are determined.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 5, 2005

I do not have to have algebra, I have to have statistics, which I am in now. But there is a catch...you have to have algebra to get into stats...

Don't feel bad, I started at pre-algebra and worked my way up too. Last semester was my last algebra course; at one point I was on the phone crying to my mom that I did not think I was going to pass it. "I have to have this no matter what degree I get, its not just nursing...I am so dumb...every one else gets it...I am so dumb...I do not think I am going to pass...I am so dumb!... :crying2: " I ended up with a B- in the class. I resisted temptation of burning my book and stomping on it and gave the text to my MIL who homes schools. You'll get through it, but don't expect to like it:chuckle

P.S. just when I thought I would never have to do a "you know what" algebra problem again I remembered the TEAS test I have to take this month...ahhhhhh