college math at age 53

This may have been a different situation, but I graduated with a BS degree and never took a math class, I did CLEP out of my math classes. Then I went to get an MA in Religion and an MDiv. Of course, there were no math requirements. Then, I decided to get my MBA, so there was some intense math, accounting, finance, and economics that I was required to take (in our school, a "C" might as well be an "F", so you had to make a "B" or better). I passed with flying colors, but I probably worked twice as hard to accomplish my degree in those areas.

If I were you, I might consider getting an Masters. There are some Masters programs that are 20 something hours but you can also use this on a resume and it may allow you to teach that specialization. Just a thought.

 

The older I get the better student I become, too.

 

Dr. Michael DeBakey, the world-famous cardiovascular surgeon who pioneered such now-common procedures as bypass surgery
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Dr. DeBakey almost missed university by failing in mathematics!!!!

Cheers,

Jim
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After 17 years out of school, I went back for a 2nd associates degree. This one in Mechanical Engineering. At 45 the math was tough but math is my strong suit.
I had to get a receint high school graduate to explain that new calculator to me.

 

Not exactly, but . . . for my undergrad, I bounced from major to major until the Registrar told me to pick one and not come back. I picked math. I was fair at it, but I was not a natural. It was a puzzle that I wanted to solve.

 

Quite a coincidence, I am 53 and going to school, except I “have to” finish a math general education class in order to graduate the end of this year. I will either have to take 2 prerequisite classes to get to the credit I need or pass an evaluation test to get into the right class at the end of this semester. I’m trying to study on my own to prepare for the evaluation test, but if I fail to test out of the prereqs it’s going to cost me. The other courses I’m taking have to be passed with 85% to get a “B” and are really intense so the math requirement at this point is quite a burden.

 

I think math is really cool.
I failed it a number of times in college, and all I was trying to do was get up to college level.
After getting diagnosed with a learning/ math disability, they said they would allow me to take science courses instead of math courses. But I wasn't allowed to take the science courses without having passed certain math courses so it's a pretty stupid way to help, but it got them around the requirement to provide an alternative. It was an alternative, just not one that could be used. *sigh*

I did have a physics professor sign off and let me take physics and I did fine with that math. In fact, he'd sometimes ask me the answer to a problem during a lecture if he didn't have it on hand. Can't explain it, but that type of math I can do as long as it's in a situation like that where I don't have to think about it.
It's all very odd.

But that's life. At least I was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA since the math I failed (repeatedly) wasn't college level and didn't count against the GPA system.

Got so tired of tears and long nights and reading and going through every single tutor and still not getting it! It's even worse when you LIKE it and find it interesting and really want to learn it. I remember one night I was so tired and mad that I picked up the math book and bit it, leaving teethmarks. :laugh: They wouldn't buy it back after the semester because it was "damaged." Now I know my anger bite is worth $120, hehe!

 

Wife still makes fun me because I can handle millions of dollars, resolve many math problems, but can't make change for a dollar!!!! Go figure!

Cheers,

Jim

 

I teach "JuCo" math, Basic Arithmetic through Calculus and Differential Equations. Today, there is a wealth of resources, thanks to the internet. It is rather simple to find help at places like youtube etc for short often excellent video lectures pertaining to algebra and the like. The principle of "never give up" is necessary for those who struggle with mathematics, finding a professor who is energetic and enthusiastic is also a plus, so ask around your local campus. Many college campuses offer free tutoring as a service to their students. Don't be intimidated to seek help from the professor, most of us absolutely LOVE students who take the initiative and seek assistance.

The keys to success in a math class are regular attendance with attentiveness, and working LOTS of practice and homework problems.

Math is our Friend.

 

Thomas, I wish you good luck and Godspeed with this endeavor. Feel free to PM me if you have questions, possible to answer in email. Blessings.

 

I went back to college and got my BS degree when I was 50. I took Intermediate and College Algebra, Trigonometry and per-Calculus. I have several Calculus textbooks and would love to learn it, but I fear I have reached my limit in math. I will be 60 next year and I would have to pretty much retake Trig and really bone up on Algebra. I don't think I have the time or the brain cells left to do the job.