Going back to school and I feel DUMB!

BlessedMom · Jan 7, 2007

I totally understand hun. I am happily married, 29 y/o with three kids, 6,4,and 2. I had to take a placement test and the ONLY reason I was able to pass it was because I went and took a bunch of practice tests and reviewed it. They started to come back to me. In fact, I had over 70 credit hours but hadn't taken math b/c I had started to in college when I was younger and it was way to hard for me. I was so stressed about it. However, I placed where I needed to (by only a few pts mind you) and did great in the class. Don't beat yourself up about it. You will be amazed and how much more it comes back to you and also how much more determined you are now that you are a mom. At least it seems like that for me :). HUGS! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

DesertRain · Jan 7, 2007

Another aspect is that I did terrible in Math in highschool. My highschool let people graduate with 11th grade math and there was even alternative 11th grade math for the people who were bad in math (like myself) and I took that and only got a B--I know that sounds alright but "alternative math" was a joke to any regular student so a C student would have gotten an A in that class and I got a B. I avoided math for 10 years after highschool and I finally had to take it for a pre-req to my nursing. I took math for the first time in 10 years and ended up with an A. Not only did the formula's and material come back to me but as a mother there is a lot more to lose when you don't put your all into it. My kids --also young - 7 years old and 3 years old are my motivation and I can't fathom doing poorly in college so I strive to do my best for them. Also in my college, most of the people I have my pre-req classes with are moms and haven't been in school in a long time so you will discover that you are not alone. Good luck and don't worry. I promise you can do it.

fmrnicumom · Jan 8, 2007

Don't stress! I was an honors student and took Calculus 1 and 2 and did well. I've been out of school for over 10 years now (graduated hs in 96) and I can't believe how much I've forgotten! I am taking the NET on Friday and I'm nervous because I haven't done that kind of math in a long time.

You'll be okay! I've seen Math.com - World of Math Online posted in a few posts and am going to go look at it myself. Maybe go take a look to see if it will help? You can also do a search here, I know there are a few posts in which Daytonite (I think that's how it's spelled) has posted tons of math help links. Now I just have to find them! lol

MB37 · Jan 8, 2007

Also, remember that everything you learned before is probably still in your brain - you just haven't accessed it in so long that you forgot how. Taking a test without reviewing is a bad idea, but once you start going over it it'll probably come back to you a lot easier than if you were learning it from scratch. That's how it was for me and bio at least.

nrsinx5 · Jan 8, 2007

Bethany,

I am 37, so you can imagine how long it has been since I took a math class! I am taking a refresher course this semester along with second semester Anatomy. It does come back to you and you will appreciate it much more this time around! Keep pluggin!

libragirl · Jan 9, 2007

I know what you are talking about. I started at my local college last year, after being out of high school for 19yrs. I never went to college when I graduated high school, just got married and had two children. I made a decision to finally go and follow my dream of becoming a nurse last year, but the math was a challenge. My problem was not that I could not remember, it was I was never taught some of this stuff. When I was in high school it wasn't required to take algebra, so I never learned even the basics. I will say that my math classes have been more difficult for me than my science classes. Don't give in just know that you are not alone with this battle. Good luck in all you do.

catzy5 · Jan 9, 2007

I'm 25, am happily married and have 3 children, ages 5, 3, and 1. In high school I did really well and graduated in the top 10% of my class. I was usually in honors classes. Well, I just took a look at an example of what a math placement test might look like to get into my local community college and it was stuff that used to be really easy for me, but now.....I don't know ANY of it! I was so confused!!!! This is basic algebra that I could do in my sleep back in the day...but now....I feel like an idiot. I guess the pregnancies+countless sleepless nights+being a mommy 24/7 has really taken it's toll on the old noggin. I'm really discouraged.
~Mommy who feels like her brain is mush

don't be discouraged its just review and will all come back to you, get some study guides do a few problems and BAM will be like old hat. I had to review too for the placement tests had been 20 years for me since I was in school I had to start from the very bottom reviewing from multiplication on up. I did really well and got thru what I needed too. Going back to school is a lot of work you can't let that discourage you though or you will keep putting it off and before you know it you will be kicking yourself for not going earlier.

catzy5 · Jan 9, 2007

I know what you are talking about. I started at my local college last year, after being out of high school for 19yrs. I never went to college when I graduated high school, just got married and had two children. I made a decision to finally go and follow my dream of becoming a nurse last year, but the math was a challenge. My problem was not that I could not remember, it was I was never taught some of this stuff. When I was in high school it wasn't required to take algebra, so I never learned even the basics. I will say that my math classes have been more difficult for me than my science classes. Don't give in just know that you are not alone with this battle. Good luck in all you do.

Thats how it was for me when I decided to go back too I hadn't taken any math in High school, I started Geometry and then dropped out because they were speaking a foreign language to me. I took accounting my jr year to fullfill a math requirement so that was all the math I had ever had. Heck my kids are in 2nd and 4th grade they have already started Algebra and Geometry they are so lucky!! I am glad I have decided to go back to school so I can help them with their homework hehee.

Now funny enough I find I love love love math and it comes pretty easy to me I wish I had known that in high school.

GeneralJinjur · Jan 9, 2007

Check your local library for high school math study books. I've got three out right now and I've found which one I like enough to buy.

P.S. I've been back in school now for almost 2 years and I still feel dumb. It's highly motivating. I study more now than I ever did before kids.

Hope2Be · Jan 14, 2007

www.aaamath.com is also a great site...site given by my college math teacher.:)

abmeeks · Jan 15, 2007

Wow and i thought i was the only one that was feeling dumb. I am having to take comp II and it is so hard. I am not the best person when it comes to math and english. I grad in 98 so it has been awhile for me also. I knew it was going to be hard, having two kids 2 and 5 and trying to go to school. But i guess i sugar coated it when i was enrolling, thinking to my self, how hard can it really be. HAHAH Very hard!!! I am just glade i am not alone. I wish everyone the best. Amanda

2bNursewith7kids · Jan 15, 2007

I do sometimes panic at how hard nursing courses will be next semester when I really get into the nursing core courses. But the thing that is quite nice for me is that I am not going to school for nursing because I have to, or because of the decent pay, or because I am now out of my high-paying career. I am lucky in that I can go to college, get into the core courses, and decide I don't like it or I don't want to be there. And I will not be hurting anyone or suffering if I find out later that nursing is not for me. This is what I think makes it even more enjoyable and interesting for me as an old lady with lots of kids (ha ha).