I am a college student and i cannot even do basic math.It discourages me from getting a job. What should I do?

Question

I'm very embarassed about this situation. I guess I should have paid more attention in First Grade!

Answer 1

Friend - Talk to your guidance counselor. Colleges offer independent studies on basic math or tutors that can help you to understand math. There is no reason to be embarrassed, many people have been passed over in the school system without learning the tools they need for life. The blame is on them, not you. But, if you let this continue, it will cripple your ability to function in the world...get to that counselors office. Best of luck. GBU

Answer 2

Don't be embarresed because something tells me that paying attention in the first grade wouldn't have helped! :D

Contact a tutor and explain your situation to him/her. Also enroll yourself is some basic math ie Algebra and the like, or if you don't feel that you can do that, talk to your current math teacher and he or she will be able to help you out as normally they are quite understanding in that situation!

There is nothing to be embarresed about honest! If there was I wouldn't show my face in public as I can't add or subtract simple equations as well as looking at Algebra crosseyed.

You might also find that you rock at Geometry or Trig.

Answer 3

A tutor is a very very good Idea. I tutor in my area. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone can learn math but it takes some time as not everyone is made the same.

Answer 4

I am guessing, since you posted under special education, that you have a learning disability?

If so, you shouldn't be embarrassed! Simply tell your prospective employer that you have a learning disability in math and explain how you make up for it. For example, do you carry a calculator?

If not, contact a tutor right away. Try learning "Touch Math". It makes simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication pretty easy.

Answer 5

Hi,

I returned to college at 23. I was horrible at math. I had been the kid who never got my facts, in that rote memory learning that is wrongly expected of all children. This lack of fact memory, forced me to count on my fingers often. As I got older, I learned more subtle ways to deal with my factless math. I have later learned that what I taught myself is very similar to Touch Math. I use the points/intersections on numbers themselves to count when my facts fail. I use a number of other learning strategies for getting through basic math like rounding numbers to ease adding and subtracting.

When I went back to college - I had to return to the local high shcool to take pre-alg and hs alg. then I had to take college alg (twice), and college alg 2 , twice. Then finally, I had statistics.

I was able to do all of that by going daily to the MATH LAB, and sitting and doing all of my math work at the lab. The people there were math geeks, and loved helping people with their math difficulties. TIME TIME and TIME. But it really paid off, I will not sign up to teach math, but I am definately able to teach stratigies for math.

Also, don't be afraid to use a calculator and/or a cheat sheet. It's not how you get the answer, it's that you get the right one is what matters in the real world.

Answer 6

Do not give up my friend. I am also HORRIBLE at math. I will admit I still don't know my times tables off the top of my head and I am 26. I took the math Praxis 13 times at $85 each, but I did it, and now I am doing my dream. I am a special education teacher in Maryland. DON'T GIVE UP. Get a hold of me if you need any help i'll see what I can do. Russ... [e-mail]

Answer 7

Contact a tutor or your advisor because certain types of teaching methods can be a factor to your comprehension. I have a lot of trouble with math, it wasn't until I had a teacher in college explain things to me in a different way when it just "clicked!". Good Luck

Answer 8

advertise for a tutor... most colleges have programs just for this purpose.