[twinmommy38]

I am a 48 year old female. I have children. I am attending University. Deans list (not too bad for an old lady), work in social service at a non profit agencey (so I am poor LOL).

6 classes left.
I was suppose to have completed my math requirement this semester but I dropped 3 weeks in. I will make another attempt come January.

I am so tired of being in school. I want to be done so bad.
It has lost its luster at this point.

I am terrified of math, Algebra.
I must take Algebra 1 and 2, then a Quanitative Reasoning class. I am not only terrified of it, I feel like everyone will find out how dumb I am. I will let everyone down because I will fail miserabley. I will not graduate.
I am worrying about it already.

To me, out side of a mirical, I just can not do it.
When I tried this January, I did three weeks and the anxiety was so bad I had to drop it. I was sick everyday and did not understand any of it.
I felt like I was...well, not smart at all and everyone knew it.

What to do about the upcoming math anxiety next semester...
Any suggestions?

[googley]

Hi,
I would talk to the professor who is going to be teaching the class about your anxiety. Often universities (sp?) have tutoring available through the department or other student services for core classes like the ones you are looking to take. They are usually free to the student and you just have to sign up for them. Sometimes you need a "referal" from you professor, but you should be able to get that. If you see the professor before hand he or she may be able to suggest some exercises you can work on this semester to get the math skills you have refreshed. (I'm assuming it has been a while since you took math.) Also take advantage of your professors office hours when you have questions that come up. That way you can get the one on one attention you need. One thing I heard a lot in undergrad and now in graduate school is that professors would always like it if their students came to office hours more often. I don't know if it will work with your schedule, but if it doesn't then set up another time to meet with your professor.
I hope this gives you some direction. Ask if you have any more questions. Good luck.

[twinmommy38]

School is becoming one huge stressor right now. I only have 6 classes left. I have to finish. I am on the deans list and would like to remain there but I do not know if that is going to be a plausable.

I thought about LSAT but now I just can not even consider it...at all.

[Michah]

Hi there,

I also entered university as a mature aged student(I was 34). I was undertaking a Bachelor of Science with a double major in forensics and microbiology. I have since become ill and had to defer, but I understand the maths angle.

I hated maths at school when I was younger and was freaking out thinking about maths at Uni. Algebra was my worst.......but I found that over time, it started to click and now I do algeabra for relaxation(yep, I am a strange one!)......so it can be done. I believe the same for you.

Can you tell me what you are up to? Can you do online tutorials? There is a free online website(a few actually) that may be able to help. I found that by just doing it over and over again, it stuck. The good understanding of the fundamentals will help for no matter how complex the equation, it all comes back to the basics. What exactly are you studying?(My apologies if you have already mentioned it)

http://www.math.com/

Good luck and I hope this helps......we are with you!!!!

Take care,

Michah

[twinmommy38]

Michah, (I have a nephew named micha at bradley university)

I will have a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

I have had to have all the sciences, including forensics and quite a lot of criminal and civil law. I do very well in my classes and enjoy them emensely until...it comes to math. I have put it off as long as I possably can and now I have no choice. Last semester I started but the anxiety actually made me physically ill. I know that sounds stupid but I never experienced anxiety like that before in my life.

I had considered taking LSAT test to see if I could qualify for law school....but I am a married mother of 4 boys, one of whom is autistic, not to mention the fact that I am 48 years old. I do not think law school would be a good idea.

I see you are on blogspot. I had a blog there for years and I got a "violation flagg" for something....I do not know what, and so I deleted the blog. Hurt me. I was very attached to it...like a pet or something. I do not know what I did.

[Rmdctc]

I think you just need to be open with the professor and tell them whats happening. Also I know lots of colleges have free tutoring or math labs where you can sit and get extra help. You might want to check into those options. Good luck!

[jensasweetie]

Hi !

Maybe I can help in some way ?? I started back at community college at 32ish 2 yrs later has my Associate's Degree (05) and followed with Washington State University. I was in a while as I kept changing my major. I took a leap and applied in the Construction Management dept (a 5 yr degree) and got accepted my first try ! I was shocked; anyway, I just graduated in May less than 6 mos ago.

Anyway, had to give some history. I was very smart and somewhat applied myself in high school. (many moons ago) but dropped out at 15 and got married. (whole diff story). Have had self esteem issues forever.

Initially I passed the tests to enter the comm college. Unfortunately, I had to take a multitude of remedial math and reading classes. Somehow as scared as I was of math, and untalented, I actually excelled at math!!! As some as you mentioned there was a lot of fear. Somehow I kinda embraced math; I knew as long as I was scared of it it would beat me.

Algebra and some Calc are more strong suits now. (!) I was an engineering major for several years and took plenty

Please, please, chat with me for help. I am not a know all but if I was to help we could get through it together. I don't think I have an heir about knowing it or anything, maybe can just break it down for you ?

Would love to hear from you !

Jen

[Perna]

There are many aptitudes and kinds of intelligence; because you may have difficulty with math doesn't say anything at all about how "smart" you are.

I would get a tutor for a bit now or go to the student learning center and work a bit with someone on the basics you might need to know to move forward. Just throwing yourself at your fears is not going to have a whole lot of effect on them I don't think; they don't care :-) Find someone who can hold your hand while you take the course and give you whatever extra help and support you may need. Work now to find such a person before you need them. Everyone needs help; needing help is not "weak" nor does it mean you're "stupid".

Concentrate on what YOU want to do for yourself, the material doesn't care if you like it or are afraid of it, etc. It's just facts/information. Don't give your fear energy of its own to defeat you. I use the idea, "you're the right size, it's the pants that don't fit!" to help myself, and I'd adapt that or find a phrase that helps you remember that the material is inanimate and you are "in charge".

The math is there to help you, to expand your life and make it easier, not to get in your way. Treat it like a friend and "talk" to it, ask it to show itself to you in ways YOU can understand. Find a good tutor who can show you concepts many different ways and ways to illustrate things so you can understand and remember easier and so it's fun and like a game. Think of it as a enjoyable puzzle instead of a horror story.