Bad at math, but looking for career in computers

[Car712]

I have a serious post here, and would love for some feedback on the situation,

 

I am going to be going to college soon, however I am still deciding on what my Major would be, I am currently considering IT or Computer Science, the problem is, I am *not* good at math in ANY way, I barely passed last year, and am pretty much failing this year. Is there still a good career chance in either of these, even if my math skills are almost nonexistent?

 

From what I have heard, and what I have read, IT does not require as much math experience as Computer Science would, however I still would like opinions here!

 

The thing is, I love doing things with computers, doing some coding, setting them up, building them, doing cool things with servers, etc. But math is the issue.

[ApolloX75]

Personally I was terrible at math in high school. Then in college I graduated with honors, and excelled at math, and I went for Electrical Engineering which has tons of math, so go figure.

 

College math is completely different from craptastic high school math. You may surprise yourself.

[GoodBytes]

If you suck at math, then be sure to take a math course with a very light load semester ("easy classes") and maybe take 1-2 less class than normal, so that you can focus the most of your energy on it, while ensuring that if you fail that Math class, the other ones will ensure your GPA is not bellow 2.0 (a requirement to not be kicked out from university program). Find a good private tutor (avoid any companies that offer tutors, they usually get students, paid minimum wage, and ask them to do a lot... so in the end they don't really care, and you are in class with other students and don't learn much). That is what I would do. But be sure the other classes compensate a potential math class failure. Or, just got this idea: Talk to a good professor that teaches one of the math classes you need to take and try and get their class material. It's not much, but it can give you guidelines to get started in advance, before registering for the class. And when you feel ready on most topics, register for it.

 

Software Engineering has potentially less math than Computer Science (depending on the College/University of choice). Computer Science and Software Engineer is the a hair different between each other. Just that one you have a ring and called a engineer in training (until you are part of the order and pass the test, and then you can call yourself an Engineer only in the state/province you are in, 'cause go figure), and the other, you have class on algorithm optimization (so, more math), and/or more math class, and you don't have the ring and not part of the order (so you don't do the promise of doing no harm, and you can get a PhD in Computer Science, and call yourself an Evil Scientist, and make malware, viruses and more :p)

 

In the field, both are paid the same. You are, in both cases, a software developer (or a gamer developer).

 

For IT, then that is not a College/University degree, but more a professional school degree. That said, if you have a Computer Science degree or Software Engineer, you can work as IT if you can showcase deep knowledge in.. well... IT, and networking ... but your wage will be much less, until you go up the ladder. You don't learn anything IT related in Comp.Sci.

 

The trick for success for math is: practice... more practice, and more practice. It will eventually click, and you'll start to see a pattern on the problems, and then you'll know what to apply where, and how to solve it. The advice I can give is: At University/College, don't treat it as school, treat it as you job. Go to school, then go to the library, do 7-8h days at school. You are here to learn, no one is forcing you like high-school.

 

General advice, which may or may not apply to you:

Be hydrated (get yourself a water bottle that you can refill and carry with you with ease), and if you are the type of student that stresses, look into stress management and staying calm (my way is to not care, and what happens happens... but I still care a lot to study with great effort. I know it is easier said then done, but this trick works for me). And get your 8h of sleep. Dehydration and stress 'causes you to not think right and panic. And sleep deprive causes you to do stupidities and also make you stress (see Elon Musk as an example of what happens when you don't sleep, with its numerous mistakes it doing lately). Oh... avoid fatty foods too. Fatty foods are slow to digest and makes you sleepy and builds up stress. Subway is not healthy food, even if you get their salad. Jam pack with sugar (even their grain bread, which is just brown bread... white bread with color, basically), and their chicken is more filler than chicken. It is for a reason why their are closing.

 

[Car712]

5 minutes ago, GoodBytes said:

If you suck at math, then be sure to take a math course with a very light load semester ("easy classes") and maybe take 1-2 less class than normal, so that you can focus the most of your energy on it, while ensuring that if you fail that Math class, the other 2 will ensure your GPA is not bellow 2.0 (a requirement to not be kicked out from university program). Find a good private tutor (avoid any companies that offer tutors, they usually get students, paid minimum wage, and ask them to do a lot... so in the end they don't really care, and you are in class with other students and don't learn much). That is what I would do. But be sure the other classes compensate a potential math class failure. Or, just got this idea: Talk to a good professor that teaches one of the math classes you need to take and try and get their class material. It's not much, but it can give you guidelines to get started in advance, before registering for the class. And when you feel ready on most topics, register for it.

 

Software Engineering has potentially less math than Computer Science (depending on the College/University of choice). Computer Science and Software Engineer is the a hair different between each other. Just that one you have a ring and called a engineer in training (until you are part of the order and pass the test, and then you can call yourself an Engineer only in the state/province you are in, 'cause go figure), and the other, you have class on algorithm optimization (so, more math), and/or more math class, and you don't have the ring and not part of the order (so you don't do the promise of doing no harm, and you can get a PhD in Computer Science, and call yourself an Evil Scientist, and make malware, viruses and more)

 

In the field, both are paid the same. You are, in both cases, a software developer (or a gamer developer).

 

For IT, then that is not a College/University degree, but more a professional school degree. That said, if you have a Computer Science degree or Software Engineer, you can work as IT if you can showcase in debt knowledge in.. well IT, and networking ... but your wage will be much less, until you go up the ladder.

 

 

The trick for success for math is: practice... more practice, and more practice. It will eventually click, and you'll start to see a pattern on the problems, and then you'll know what to apply where, and how to solve it. The advice I can give is: At University/College, don't treat it as school, treat it as you job. Go to school, then go to the library, do 7-8h days at school. Be hydrated (get yourself a water bottle that you can refill and carry with you with ease), and if you are the type of student that stresses, look into staying ways to stay calm (my way is to not care, and what happens happens... I know it is easier said then done, but this trick works for me). And get your 8h of sleep. Dehydration and stress 'causes you to not think right. And sleep deprive 'causes you to do stupidities, and stress (see Elon Musk as an example of what happens when you don't sleep, with its numerous mistakes). Oh... avoid fatty foods too. Fatty foods are slow to digest and makes you sleepy and builds up stress. Subway is not healthy food, even if you get their salad. Jam pack with sugar (even their grain bread, which is just brown bread... white bread with color, basically), and their chicken is more filler than chicken. It is for a reason why their are closing.

 

Wow, thanks for all that info! I will definitely see about doing some of that.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to write all that info!

[GoodBytes]

1 hour ago, bobbyd52 said:

Wow, thanks for all that info! I will definitely see about doing some of that.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to write all that info!

My pleasure! Hope this helps. Also, don't be afraid to see the academic advisor. They can be very helpful in setting a program for you, and make sure you don't fall into a situation where you are stuck with 1 class for 1 semester, because it is a requirement for a bunch of other classes or something stupid like that. And help you better know work loads of each class to help you focus on those math classes.

[Jtalk4456]

https://www.khanacademy.org/math

[toobladink]

As a current sophomore studying Calculus 3 -

 

I failed Calc 2 spring semester. Retook it over the summer. What changed?

 

Attitude. Someone saying that they're bad at math really is bad at math because that's exactly what their attitude says. You need to focus on "I want to get better at math," rather than "I suck at math, what do I do?" I've had several friends drop engineering majors in favor of business or philosophy majors because they said "I suck at math." They all had the same things in common. They didn't practice, they didn't seek out for help, they always waited to start assignments.

 

I had the same attitude as they did. That's why I failed Calc 2. I never did the extra practice, never went to tutoring, never did any homework (because it wasn't required). That's why anyone fails a math course honestly. I've found that in most classes, if you know where to start on the problem, you're 50% there.

 

I'm not saying it will work for you, but it's what worked for me. I want to be a computer engineer so bad, so I've cut a lot of unneeded crap out of my life. More studying on weekends (even if it's an hour, it helps SO much), less gaming during the day (save for when EVERYTHING is done and I have NOTHING to do).

 

If your teacher assigns extra practice problems, DO THEM. Free tutoring? USE IT. Office hours? DROP IN AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

 

I'm also going to add on to what GoodBytes said about treating it like a job - I've been spending all my time outside my dorm room now and my grades reflect that. I'm already off to a much better start than what I was last year. Treat it like a job. Spend every hour you can doing homework, looking over lecture notes, etc.

[GiantEvilPig]

4 hours ago, Jtalk4456 said:

https://www.khanacademy.org/math

I absolutely HATE Khan Academy, I bet there is something way better out there.

 

6 hours ago, bobbyd52 said:

I have a serious post here, and would love for some feedback on the situation,

 

I am going to be going to college soon, however I am still deciding on what my Major would be, I am currently considering IT or Computer Science, the problem is, I am *not* good at math in ANY way, I barely passed last year, and am pretty much failing this year. Is there still a good career chance in either of these, even if my math skills are almost nonexistent?

 

From what I have heard, and what I have read, IT does not require as much math experience as Computer Science would, however I still would like opinions here!

 

The thing is, I love doing things with computers, doing some coding, setting them up, building them, doing cool things with servers, etc. But math is the issue.

I would probably say to look into being a Computer Technician, I know its kinda broad but I would recommend looking into a branch that fits you.

[ianspy1]

maybe video eddeting?

[IntMD]

So, you're not in the UK, but when I went from HS to University many of the comp sci, software eng. & networking etc. all had the same first year and only diverged after that. I really couldn't be bothered in my last year at high school so I failed my maths exam (A-Levels), despite not actually being terrible at it.

 

When I went to Uni, everyone who had passed maths had to do a language for a semester instead (German, French, or Spanish), and those of us who didn't have A-Level maths, had to do a maths course. The first lecture on the course, the tutor said, if you understand everything in this, you don't have to come back to any more lessons if you don't want to, but you still have to take the test.

 

I didn't go back after that first one, and passed the test with 95% as none of it was actually stuff we did at A-Level (16-18 age) maths, just stuff we did at GSCE (14-16 age) or earlier (I think sort of equivalent of high school diplomas in the US), all of it was (apart from one question, which I had no clue about) really easy. It was mostly basic geometry, algebra and a few small problem solving things.

[Teddy07]

I suck at math too but still decided on a computer science bachelor degree. I have to pass 2 math classes one of which isn´t that difficult.

It is doable if you really put the effort in and give your best. Most students just don´t put enough effort in and wonder why they fail.

[D13H4RD]

As a CS student myself, I can tell you that you don't really need to be a math genius to excel.

 

What you need is the ability to understand and process how different lines of code work and doing so without overly complicating it.

 

Math is involved but not to a large degree (at least at where I'm at). I personally consider myself an average at best person when it comes to math, though ironically, I get better results the harder the subject is.

[akio123008]

If there's one thing I've learned about math, it is that how good you are at it is extremely variable. When I don't practice math for a while I absolutely suck at it, but during periods when I do practice regularly (not even spending that much time, just doing it for a short amount of time every other day or so) I am actually quite good at it. Practice is key here.

[SimplyChunk]

*Maths

[Chris White]

Hi Bobby,

 

I have 15 years experience as a system administrator, have developed 3 Android Apps and a bachelor's degree in computer science.

 

You can definitely work in IT if you have the math skills of a 5th grader. Anything beyond simple multiplication (What is 6*5?) is not necessary for many jobs, especially the more practical kind of work (installing and configuring pc and server hardware and applications). 

 

However, if you want to

• develop business oriented applications in many industries (banking, biology, etc.)
• study university-level computer sciene
• get a deeper understanding of the inner workings of algorithms (how google maps can find the fastest route for example)

then math will have to be the hammer to your nail. Mind you, university-level math is very different from what you learn in school. Math in school will teach you how to calculate numbers using pre-defined algorithms. Math in university will be much more about the why than the how.

 

And don't despair if you find math hard. Most of us do. That's exactly the reason why people who are decent at it are so sought after: They are willing to go the hard route.

[BuckGup]

13 minutes ago, D13H4RD2L1V3 said:

As a CS student myself, I can tell you that you don't really need to be a math genius to excel.

 

What you need is the ability to understand and process how different lines of code work and doing so without overly complicating it.

 

Math is involved but not to a large degree. I personally consider myself an average at best person when it comes to math, though ironically, I get better results the harder the subject is.

If you actually get into deep learning, AI, and algorithms there is an incredible amount of math going on

[D13H4RD]

Just now, BuckGup said:

If you actually get into deep learning, AI, and algorithms there is an incredible amount of math going on

Probably because they require a good amount of number crunching

[Jtalk4456]

8 hours ago, GiantEvilPig said:

I absolutely HATE Khan Academy, I bet there is something way better out there.

So that we can be giving informed advice, can you explain why you hate khan academy? I've never heard anyone else with a grievance against them and I am very curious what the problem is

[GiantEvilPig]

2 hours ago, Jtalk4456 said:

So that we can be giving informed advice, can you explain why you hate khan academy? I've never heard anyone else with a grievance against them and I am very curious what the problem is

Sure it is educational, but the experience I have had with it is painful bore. I think it was mostly just my geometry teacher though. 

[Jtalk4456]

8 minutes ago, GiantEvilPig said:

Sure it is educational, but the experience I have had with it is painful bore. I think it was mostly just my geometry teacher though. 

hmm... interesting. part of it is surely that I enjoy math anyways, but I personally loved the format they made for their math series. The grid of math made it much more motivating for me, and their teaching examples if you needed help did a great job of explaining anything i forgot. that's just my experience with it though

[ARikozuM]

You may want to find a professor that matches your VAK learning style.

 

I had a terrible professor for College Algebra (I passed with a 72) and an equally terrible one for Calc I (I failed last semester). This time I found a professor that likes making jokes and having a fun time during class. So far I'm holding a 97 in class. He evens goes over an example homework problem in class so that you have a better note-taking tool vs a lined book. My preferred learning style is AK with V being my Achille's Heel. 

[Tieox]

Always struggled with math, ended up excelling in computer hardware, database entrance which helped me get into a few PC related companies and the rest is history.  

[Windows7ge]

I'm not that exponentially great at math either. I'm not entirely sure what math would be required in the vast ocean of programming (I only play with programming as a hobby) but I can say from the perspective of general systems, setting up hardware, software, and networking. If you can understand base 2 (0 - 1), base 8 (0 - 7), & base 16 (0 - F) and how to convert between them that will just about cover you for what I listed above. There are exceptions and some other bits but those are the major mathematics you'd deal with.

 

Trust me. If I can understand it, then you can understand it.

[Car712]

Thanks so much everyone for replying and all the info!