First on campus class. Nervous! And a question.

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Hi! I joined this board a while back, but I haven't posted in a long time. Last semester (which was my first) I took nutrition and psychology both online. This semester I'm taking a telecourse (psych-human development) and an on campus class- elementary algebra.

I have to admit, I'm pretty nervous! I haven stepped foot in a classroom in about 9 years! Yikes! I did great in algebra in high school, but that was so long ago, I don't remember much of it (hence having to take elementary algebra).

My question is, what should I take with me supply wise? My books obviously. Do you think a notebook with folders and pencils is good for my first night?

Thanks!

~Bethany

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Hi there definitely a calculator

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What kind? I still have my TI 83 from when I was in high school. Are those still being used these days? (Man I feel old)

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

What to bring:

  • A good attitude
  • Loose-leaf quadrille paper (5 squares per inch)
    • It's a little more expensive but it makes it much easier to keep your equations aligned and is very helpful once you start making graphs.

    [*]A 1/2" or 1" binder with a divider pocket for handouts

    [*]A mechanical pencil (with several leads) and a separate eraser

    • Personally, I prefer to take notes with a black roller ball pen (0.5 mm) because it makes the notes so much easier to read.
    • I often will use multiple colors but not always.

    [*]Any basic scientific calculator will do. A TI-83 is fine. It just needs the basic operators along with exponentiation and square roots (which are really just exponentiation, anyway).

    [*]A bottle of water and perhaps a snack of some sort.

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Thank you so much for that comprehensive list!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

You're welcome, Bethany.

By the way, don't stress. Algebra hasn't changed any since you took it in high school. If you got it then, you'll get it now.

Best of luck to you.

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We were not allowed to use a graphing calculator in Elementary Algebra. If you can't use the TI-83 I'd suggest the TI-30X II. It's only about $20 and it does fractions! I had been out of school for 28 years and I did great in my math classes. Don't let the years away bother you at all.

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

Others pretty much covered the supplied you might need, I just wanted to post and say good luck! I hadn't been in a classroom in 16 years when I started A&P in November and I was terrified!

I did get a notebook I really like. I think it's a Mead and it zips up so none of the crap I carry around falls out. I put dividers in it for each chapter plus the syllabus, and a trapper folder for loose papers and it has pockets for pencils and pens and a zipper pocket for my highlighter and notecards. I feel very organized with this notebook even though I'm not LOL!

Good luck!

Karen

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I also had to take elementary algebra and found that I understood it much better this time around. Everything suggested above is great. I would say dress in layers; some teachers keep the classroom really cold. Good Luck!!!!

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