My life is completely messed up at this point

[Oz]

Well, my reason for posting in stress release is as follows:

I have a strong desire to work in the IT industry. There are many jobs in it that interest me - info systems, databases, web development stuff etc.

I am currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Technology (Information and Communication Systems). I am doing 3 out of 4 subjects (Math, Electronics, Physics) that I have absolutely no aptitude for and loathe. I am also doing Comp, which is a C++ programming class. I kind of enjoy this one and think I could pass it, maybe get a credit, no better.

The fundamental flaw is that I am so bad at Maths that I failed my last year at High School and am basically a no-hoper for ever making it to the end of my degree. I now have the following options

-Change Degrees (Most feasable - probably to business, which I would also enjoy and could diversify into IT later)

-Drop out of uni and find a traineeship in IT

-Other...

So, any comments, advice etc? I am feeling completely fucked by life ATM as I have virtually no chance of making it to the goal.

[Atomis27]

Oz, trust me, I feel your pain acutely.

If one had to pick an individual that absolutely sucks at mathematics, I'd have the damned gold medal. I sometimes have trouble adding when the numbers are high enough.

I currently hold a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Business Information Systems, as well as an IT job, so yes it is possible. I got into BIS as my major because of the math problem(pun intended).

The nice thing is that if you switch majors, some of your IT type classes that you've already taken might apply to a business tech degree.

Good luck sir, and keep the faith. It'll all come out alright.

[TexasF355F1]

Oz, I dont know what to tell you. I myself suck at math greatly. That is why I chose to get my business degree instead of a computer science degree b/c I wouldn't be able to handle the math. Wish I could help you out by telling you to do one over the other, but I can't. I suggest you think strongly about this. Talk with family and friends and gather a lot of opinions as you're doing here. Hope everything works out for the best and you chose what you think is right for you.

[kaoru-tochiro]

Sudy something that you're good at, whatever that is, you'll be worse off without a college degree.

[Ace$nyper]

I allways thought I sucked at math all during school i pulled off Cs and the such now in college i've learned that my teachers sucked I've went back and learned the basics again with good teachers and now love calc and trig and stuff like that. I understand that you must be under alot of stress too. Sorry man i know how it sucks. But i would say take the bottom level math course and see maybe your better then you think. If it doesn't work i would say try moving to business. Good luck man!

[YogsVR4]

Color me the lucky one. I got my masters in mathmatics but after realizing their is no money in it, I found I really liked programming. I did get my BS in that, but I can say all the math and related subjects I had, have had no impact in my job in "the real world". In fact I had little use for the "math" outside of writing comiplers and operating systems.

I would suggest that you change your major if you want to get a degree. Other then that, going with an internship or entry level IT position would be a great way to work your way to where you want to be. We have two people on staff who are self taught coders and with a bit of direction, they are a great asset.

[lordvektra]

most of the time they dont care what you get the degree in just as long as you get it. as long as you have a degree and you can do the job you should be good. I have the same problem, I hate school and suck at math. I need to go back to school but I just dont feel like it

[Prelewd]

Like Ace said. Go back to the basics if you want to fix it. I was terrible at math, but once a few key things stuck, I got it. You might think you are completely fucked, but if that's the case, so are thousands of other college students.

Good luck my friend.

[BLU CIVIC]

i love math especially algebra and physics (almost failed though ) but i only have one word.....tutor....or cheat

[Oz]

You guys don't seem to understand the level of difficult I have with the subject. I worked my ass off WITH a tutor last year in HS, now at uni doing the BOTTOM LEVEL. I'm struggling/failing the BASE level. That is why I'm so fucked. I found out today that to change to BBA, I need a GPA of 2.5, which is an average of 2 credits, 2 passes in my current subjects, which is do-able. It will require a hell of a lot of work, though.


Thanks for the inspiration, Yogs. I'm going to work my ass of for the next little while, see where it gets me. I still may end up in a entry level IT position where I can work my way up.

Thanks for all who replied. Your input is greatly valued and appreciated.

[boingo82]

Originally posted by Oz
You guys don't seem to understand the level of difficult I have with the subject. I worked my ass off WITH a tutor last year in HS, now at uni doing the BOTTOM LEVEL. I'm struggling/failing the BASE level. That is why I'm so fucked. I found out today that to change to BBA, I need a GPA of 2.5, which is an average of 2 credits, 2 passes in my current subjects, which is do-able. It will require a hell of a lot of work, though.


Thanks for the inspiration, Yogs. I'm going to work my ass of for the next little while, see where it gets me. I still may end up in a entry level IT position where I can work my way up.

Thanks for all who replied. Your input is greatly valued and appreciated.

I was going to suggest you find a tutor to help, but I suppose that isn't a useful suggestion. Math has always come naturally to me, and my family - my parents met in college calc. - so I'd always had a hard time understanding how someone just couldn't "get it". Of course now I realize that some people have as much trouble with math as I do with geography and history...

I would have to say, Oz, that the amount of effort you've expended so far is commendable, and if you are able to continue with your chosen major, good. If you find it necessary to switch majors, that's OK, and whatever happens, ultimately you will have the satisfaction that you've EARNED that degree.

I hope everything works out.

(p.s., if you lived anywhere near me I'd tutor you myself!!)

[Prelewd]

Oz.. Also try learning it from a computer instead of a person. That way you can go at your own pace, and they do every step. There's no assumption that you know everything, and assumption that you are ready to move on. I used a program called "interactive mathmatics" at my college. It's a computer based course, but there is an instructor present, in case you get stuck. It has helped me so much.

[Blitzen]

I understand dude. I got qualifications for Maths for my last two major qualifications. But my first qualification, I got English, but second, I did not. Now I am retaking English, which I hate, of the second qualification and my projects in it are crap, and I must get a certain grade to be able to get into Uni otherwise I have to do it last year - my last year. If I don't get English, then I can't get into uni.

Why don't you go freelance? Charge ridiculous markups!

P.S. I'm from the UK so theres a different education structure/system.

[Dorikin]

I may have to go tu summer school too...I suck at teh math

I find though I can write ,read and speak better than my friends and i Have an excellent memory for facts and dates which helps in History, Geography and some science....