Patricia’s Success Story

I attended Seminole State College of Florida on and off for the past eight years. Time and time again, my poor background in math held me back.  My trouble with math began in high school.  I found it hard to concentrate in class because the teachers I had always focused their attention on the students in class who already had a basic understanding of the material being taught. I attended summer school for Geometry my sophomore year.  During my junior and senior years, I got into the habit of not listening in class because I was simply so terribly lost. Because of this, I eventually ended up being kicked out of class.  Unfortunately, many teachers do not make time for students like myself who really need extra hand-holding.  

When I enrolled in Seminole State, I made a few half-hearted attempts at beginning algebra, but found many teachers teaching styles too fast or simply too difficult for me to comprehend.  It took me 6 tries before I successfully completed beginning algebra with a B.  I had found one teacher who took time out to explain things more than the previous ones, but as I signed up for Intermediate Algebra, I found she was not teaching the course.  The search was on again!  I had to take Intermediate Algebra 4 times before I found a compatible, understanding instructor.  The fourth time around I passed with a C.  I went on to conquer Finite Math, getting a B. I even got the highest grade in the class on one test!  I recently was successful in passing College Algebra in my second attempt, only because my car engine blew up the first time around!

Math is not easy for everyone, and I am a prime example.  I need to be led through all of it step by step.  Often times I experience severe anxiety, when the tests are first handed out and the pages are full of numbers, letters, and signs.  However, I have come to realize that finding someone dedicated to teaching rather than simply "instructing" is the key that makes math possible to learn for me.  It makes a huge difference when your instructor takes the time to explain things slowly and carefully starting from the very beginning. It has become less of a struggle for me when I seek out and enroll in a course with a very patient instructor. 

Now, I am finally finished with community college after eight years and $1,809.12 in tuition for math classes alone!  You can imagine my relief. Here are a few things experience has taught me: 

1.         Remember to always take your most difficult subjects immediately out of high school.  My failure to do so prolonged my stay in college about 3 years.

2.         If possible, find a tutor or someone with a lot of patience who can explain a topic to you until you definitely understand. 

3.        Homework is the most helpful way to learn math because repetition makes the subject matter stick with you. 

In summary, I could have flown to Hawaii and vacationed for 7 days in style if I had just learned these lessons sooner.  Do yourself a favor, learn them now, save your money, and when you’re in Hawaii, think of me and your teachers!

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