Going into my second semester of college, my adviser told me that Calculus II would be the hardest class I would take as an undergraduate. Being the over-confident freshman I was then, I shrugged off this piece of information, thinking he was exaggerating. How hard could it be, right? I had never made anything except A’s since I was in eighth grade. But, alas, if only I had known then what I know now, then maybe I would have come away with a higher grade than a C. Calculus II is a difficult class, but it can be survived and you can get through it. Below, please find my advice and heed my warnings, as they will help. I wish I would have had these tips going into the class two years ago.
First of all, you must do the obvious. You MUST come to class. Sure, it’s simple advice and you hear this one all the time, but do listen. Calculus builds on itself. New techniques use the information that you learned the day before (or last week or back in trigonometry or back in algebra class) so it is important that you come to class regularly and that you do not skip classes. If you skip, you are going to get behind. If you must miss a class (for example, if you get sick), then try your best to look at the syllabus or call someone or ask a classmate what was covered when you were not there. Try to at least go over the information so that you can stay on pace with the rest of the class. I can not stress this enough: do not miss class. If you have just one class you go to this semester, make it Calculus II.
Do not underestimate this class. As I said, this was a huge mistake of mine. I do not care if you are a straight A student or not, do not underestimate this class. My adviser was right. This was the hardest class I have taken thus far (and I have been through Calculus I-IV and Physics I and II) and you need to expect that there will be some things you will not understand. Actually, if you are like me, there will be a lot that you do not understand. And that is just fine. Unless you are a mathematics god, this will not be a walk in the park.
Work LOTS of problems. As is the case in all math classes, you are not going to learn anything unless you practice. The more problems you do (both in and out of class), the more you will master the material. Do all homework problems, even the ones that are “suggested” homework problems. Do the practice problems in each chapter. (Buy your textbook! You will not do well in Calculus II without it!)Do all the problems in class as your instructor does them. Most importantly, do lots of problems that are of the type that you are having difficulty with. If you do not understand something, you must learn it, to learn it you must practice it. Practice and work as many problems as you can!
Come to class prepared, be prepared in class, and take good notes. Look over your notes and homework problems before coming to class. Look at your syllabus and find out what is going to be covered in class that day. Is there a quiz? Could there be a surprise quiz? Is homework due? Is there a test in a few days? Make sure you know what is going on. Study for the quizzes and be prepared to take them. Get your homework in on time. Be ready for tests. Take good notes in class. Pay attention to what is being taught and write down anything that helps you remember what you are learning.
Study for the tests. You will normally have anywhere from 2 to 4 tests given over the course of the class, depending on your instructor’s style. The test days should be listed on your syllabus, so make note of them. Write down test days in your planner (if you use one) or write them down on a piece of paper and tape them up somewhere you can see them. When you study for a test, go over all of your notes, review the homework problems and problems done in class, and memorize any formulas (I suggest writing them down on note cards so that you can quiz yourself). Do not wait until the night before the test to start studying unless you are a freak of nature like me who thrives on pressure. Ideally, start studying at least three days before the exam. Go to your instructor with any problems at least two days before the test. Do not walk into your professor’s office on the morning of the exam and expect him or her to be thrilled to help you.
Relax during the tests. Take a few deep breaths, eat breakfast (or lunch), and bring your calculator. Memorize your formulas the night before so you aren’t worried about memorizing them as you walk to class. Take your time on the exam, do not rush yourself, but try to time it so that you do not run out of time. When your professor first hands you the exam, look over it quickly and see how long it is. Keep track of how much time you have. If you get stuck for a long time on one problem or if you run into a problem you do not know how to do, save it for last.
Get help early. Again, if you are struggling, do not wait to get help. Get help right away. Your professor will have office hours and you should use them. Come prepared, have an example of the type of problem you are struggling with and bring your textbook and calculator. Know what questions you want answered and do not be afraid to ask for help. Most professors are glad to help if you come to them during office hours. Also, do not forget to ask your classmates. If you see someone acing the class, don’t get jealous. Go ask them for help! Most people are glad to help. Study with people and ask questions during class. If you are still not getting it after all of this, look online for some help on specific mathematical problems. Or do what I did and run to the nearest bookstore and get a copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Calculus.
You can pass Calculus II! Give it your best shot. I promise that if you can get through the headaches and the pain and the integration and the power series that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s only one semester and chances are that if you have to take it for your major that it will be worth it to stick it out. You can always re-take the class, but I would suggest not taking this route. Try the tips above and buy a punching bag and ride it out. Once it’s over, take yourself out for a nice night. You will deserve it. Good luck!
