Math/Statistics is it hard?

Stormy · Feb 20, 2003

I absolutely HATED it when I first started my course. Mind you, I was somewhat handicapped by the fact that it had been 28 years since I had studied any type of Math/Algebra. I didn't even know how to operate one of those stupid scientific calculators! I had to get my kids to show me how! Once I brushed up on basic principles of Algebra, sorting apples and determining the probability of whether Joe walked to work or rode the bus wasn't that bad.

Good luck!

essarge · Feb 20, 2003

I took the social work statistics class. It fulfilled the requirements and didn't have much math in it at all. If you have a choice, I would go with that (unless you really like math).

jdomep · Feb 20, 2003

Hardest class I have ever had! Sorry ... I am with Stormy though it had been 15+ years and I too had no clue how to work those stupid TI-83 calculators! I hired a tutor mid semester which helped me eek by with a 'C' (totally screwing up my 4.0 ) But I figured I needed it to get my BSN...

PennyLane, RN · Feb 20, 2003

I think that's a hard question to answer. It's different for everyone. I personally excel at math, so I didn't find it hard, just b-o-r-i-n-g.

But no, I don't think it's easier than algebra. I took Calc in high school and college, and I still had to pay attention and take notes.

jdomep · Feb 20, 2003

Adding something here...

I made the BAD mistake of taking it online - with a teacher that never checked in except to add our assignments. I think it would have been better in a real life classroom...

PennyLane, RN · Feb 20, 2003

Julie, I agree. It's definitely a subject you'd want someone there in the room to explain things.

wv_nurse 2003 · Feb 20, 2003

Agreed!! I took it online--and it sucked! too boot it was a summer class--so all of it crammed into 6 weeks--yucko~

researchrabbit · Feb 20, 2003

I thought it was easier than Algebra. I've had it twice; once as "statistics" through the math dept (so it have the math in it), and once as "statistics" through the psychology dept (which had almost NO math in it, but plenty of concepts).

LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

One of the most difficult classes I have had. I made an A in college algebra and made a C in stats (my only C!!!!). HOWEVER, I did enjoy it and could really see the importance of learning it for the nursing profession.

In my whole stats class, everyone agreed, this was nothing like college algebra. About half our class dropped. As with any class maybe it depends on the teacher?? Good luck!!!

Genista, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2003

I agree, it depends on your instructor (and your background as well). I have never considered myself a math genius, but I found STATS easier and more interesting to understand than algebra. In STATS, the problems were longer, but not necessarily difficult. Lots of calculations to solve one problem, as I recall. I took it through the math dept, and we used computers for part of the lessons. It wasn't that bad. I even found it useful. Good luck to you!

nursbee04 · Feb 21, 2003

I was horrible at algebra in high school, so I figured prob & stat would be he)) too, but I did pretty good. I took it in a three week summer session and got an B. Had a great teacher and LOVED the class, too. I think it all depends on how the information is presented to you and how you process it. My best friend is great at algebra, and she took the class with me and hated it. Her grade was ok, but it was hard work for her. Good luck!!