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For years, Ive toyed with the notion of going to college. Ive wished for years, that I had studied to become a psychologist. I would particuarly want to be a bereavement counselor. What has always stopped me, is my fear of MATH. I live across the street from an incredible womens college. They have an adult degree program. I got very inspired, and decided Im going to enroll.

I will have to take placement tests. English and MATH. This morning I looked at sample questions. My dream of returning to school is over. I cannott do the math. Algebra problems make me feel physically ill, just looking at them.

Its all Greek, to me. There is no way anyone could ever make me comprehend the meaning of those x's and y's I dont think this is fair at all.

Is there anyway around this? Does anyone know??

Go talk to a counselor at the college, and see what their requirements are for entrance. Tell her you are worried about the math, and follow her suggestions.

Thank you Susie, I will do that.

weeder;642277 wrote:

Is there anyway around this? Does anyone know??


If you have a dread and a loathing of maths., then you've probably missed out on something early on. You could try going back to the very basics with some sort of course for absolute beginners.

The suggestion from chonsigirl seems a good one. Try it!

Can you post (one of the) sample maths. questions?

weeder;642277 wrote: For years, Ive toyed with the notion of going to college. Ive wished for years, that I had studied to become a psychologist. I would particuarly want to be a bereavement counselor. What has always stopped me, is my fear of MATH. I live across the street from an incredible womens college. They have an adult degree program. I got very inspired, and decided Im going to enroll.

I will have to take placement tests. English and MATH. This morning I looked at sample questions. My dream of returning to school is over. I cannott do the math. Algebra problems make me feel physically ill, just looking at them.

Its all Greek, to me. There is no way anyone could ever make me comprehend the meaning of those x's and y's I dont think this is fair at all.

Is there anyway around this? Does anyone know??


Most colleges and universities offer remedial courses, designed for those with weaknesses in specific subject areas. That's something you could look into. I recently got my degree in psych and I don't know about the college you're referring to, but at my university there were only 2 required math courses. One was algebra and the other was a finite math that is nothing more than adding and subtracting, multiplying and dividing - things like simple and compound interest, etc. I have a dear friend that is in her late 50's and she returned to college a couple of years ago to obtain her degree. Like you, she was terrified of that algebra, cause she'd never had anything similar to it. She struggled at first, but with all our support, she did pass it I'm quite sure you'll be able to as well. Don't let anything come in between you and this dream!

You could also consider a tutor maybe?

Pinky;642373 wrote: There are lots of courses you can do for people who haven't done maths for years! Honestly, I'm a total maths dunce myself, it was like chewing nails having to try and get to grips with it again. I'd convinced myself that I couldn't do it, but I had to in order to follow the career I wanted. It took me a couple of attempts, but I did it in the end. The key is finding a tutor who explains things in a way that you understand.

Even if I get maths cover now, I beg to swap with someone else, even if it's PE, hehehe!




:wah:

When I was in High School, I failed algebra the first time, and then the second time. Failed the regents, of course. Took a basic math class finally in 10th grade to complete the required math. When I began chemistry, I loved it.Got a 90 the first marking period. The second period, we had to balance equations........ I got a 30 on my report card. So I dropped it.

You all have me thinking... If I fail the math placement test, maybe they will have me take basic math instead of algebra. So, I will talk to a counselor, and see. I do know that Tutor or not.... I will not be able to comprehend algebra. It frightens me, and makes me feel ill.

weeder;642788 wrote:

You all have me thinking... If I fail the math placement test, maybe they will have me take basic math instead of algebra. So, I will talk to a counselor, and see. I do know that Tutor or not.... I will not be able to comprehend algebra. It frightens me, and makes me feel ill.


You can get tested for a learning disability. It can get you out of a few math classes, but you'll probably get tutored for the other stuff. Ask the counselor about disability services and their programs...

SouthAPT;642792 wrote: math classes


Why do yanks say "math.", not "maths."?

Kathy Ellen;642815 wrote: wah: wah: Why do you UK'er say "Maths" instead of "Math?" It's a noun for


I thort it were an abbreviation.

No problem Kathy Dear..... I will say this, at 55 years old I do not have the time for disability status, or remedial this, or therapy that. I have to find the simplest way around this. Now dont get me wrong. Im not a moron who cant make change.. or balance a check book. I do cost projections for landscape projects etc....... IT IS THE bizarreness of the x, y, z.... that I cannott handle. What does it mean? What is the reason for it? I have always viewed it as a game. A game that I do not know how to play.

What is the exact definition of algebra??

weeder;642875 wrote: What is the exact definition of algebra??What you're talking about is called "Elementary algebra". The stuff beyond that is irrelevant to you.

Algebra allows arithmetic to be stated as laws (such as a + b = b + a for all a and b) and is thus is the first step to the systematic study of the properties of the real number system. That example means that whatever two numbers you choose, say 12 and 45, 12 + 45 = 45 + 12. It's a rule of addition which you already know. You also know that a - b = b - a for all a and b isn't true. To take the previous numbers, 12 - 45 is not equal to 45 - 12. Being able to write out true statements is powerful, it gives you a better understanding of what numbers can do.

Algebra allows reference to numbers which are not known. In the context of a problem, a variable may represent a certain value which is uncertain, but which may be discovered by using the known equations.

Algebra allows the exploration of mathematical relationships between quantities (such as "if you sell x tickets, then your profit will be 3x − 10 dollars"). All that example actually means is that each ticket cost $3 and your overheads were $10.

I changed that from the original at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elementary_algebra

There really is not much else beyond that. It does mean you need to learn a few rules to - as you said earlier - balance the equations.

I never liked math in school.I do agree talk to someone and see wht your requirements in math are to be psychologist. Good luck

I used to believe I hated math, but... then I discovered I was naturally good with math... 'specially more advanced math... now I love it. Don't hold back on your dreams just because of this one fear... at least you're not going to study engineering , architecture or computer science... how much math can there be in psychology beyond university level basics? Where do you want to attend school at?

I actually live across the road from the Mary Baldwin campus. I just discovered yesterday, that if you work at the school full time, the tuition is free. Can you believe that? I am considering different options, and trying to determine if I would be commited enough to follow it through. There are, needless to say, many factors I have to consider.