June 16, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DEDE IN CO
Sometimes it is hard to really tell if you hate a subject like math or are
not too good at algebra and geometry. When my daughter was in 8th grade she
really disliked the geometry portion of her math class. But as a sophomore
everything clicked and she decided she really did like geometry. Sometimes you
need to realize that your brain is still developing. Different kinds of math may
not have clicked for you yet. My daughter really struggled in 8th grade
algebra. She had to work really hard for a B in the class. But when they got to
the word problems, everyone else was struggling and word problems ended up
being a breeze for her. Do not get discouraged since a particular part of math
may not have clicked for you yet.

One other thought. Engineers need to use math but we are not mathematicians.
As an engineer, I can do the math but do not particularly like pure math. I
do love to solve problems. Engineers use their math to solve everyday
problems. A Civil Engineer uses math to be sure that the materials that are used in
a building will support the weight of the roof. A Mechanical Engineer uses
math to determine the weight of a part and how it will impact the car that is
being designed. A Chemical Engineer uses math to determine the flow rate of
products entering a plant to be used to produce plastics for the medical
industry. A Petroleum Engineer uses math to figure how much drilling mud will be
needed to drill a well for gas in the Gulf Coast.

There are so many other examples, but the trick is we use the math. All of
your math is building on what you learned in first grade. As a kindergarten
student you couldn't do algebra. And that is okay. As a beginning high school
student you probably cannot do calculus. And that is okay. All of your math
classes will add upon what you have already learned. Good luck, I hope the
math clicks for you. The trick is to not worry too much, do your homework, get
tutoring if you need it, and with math you just have to do lots of problems
until it works for you.
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A: FROM MENTOR SHEILA ENGLAND IN PA
How old are you? Learning Mathematics takes a degree of mental maturity
that other subjects do not require. Your dislike of this subject may be due
to mental immaturity. It may be related to not having creative teachers.
Some students do not grasp Mathematical concepts until they reach college
age. My advice to you is not to make a decision about Math until you have
at least graduated from High School. Take as much Mathematics as you can
during that time even if you don't enjoy it and even if you find that you
are struggling with the subject. Taking the easy path is tempting, I
understand, but I have learned that challenging oneself is extremely
rewarding. You may never love Math, but this subject is the key that opens
many doors to a successful future career.
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June 12, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JUDY LONG IN CO
I didn't like math either, especially Algebra
or Geometry but I could do the homework easily so I
kept taking it. When I was a Senior in high school I
took a class in Calculus and that's when I started to
really like math. It was so different from the other
math classes I had taken and it was so interesting! I
started to appreciate the other math I had taken
because I could see that it was very important to
understand Algebra, Trig and Geometry in order to
understand Calculus. I studied Math in college and
graduated with a BS in Math. Math is so valuable in
day to day life and it's an excellent background for
other studies like the Sciences and Accounting. Don't
give up yet, keep at it and see where it leads!
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A: FROM MENTOR SUZANNE FRANKS IN KS
Lauren, you don't have to love math to be a good scientist and to
have a great time doing science. If you don't like math, it will make
your first two years of college study a little more difficult, since
you will most likely have to take math. And it's always harder to
work at something you don't like than at something you do! However,
not all science careers are equally math-heavy when it gets to the
actual doing of them, as opposed to studying for the degree.
Engineering and the physical sciences will be the most math-heavy
in college and most likely in a career. The life sciences and social
sciences can be less so (although some life and social scientists
get very involved in quantitative, math-heavy research.)
I think when you discover an area of science that you are very
interested in, then the math that you have to learn and use in order
to work in that area will become more interesting to you because you
will see its purpose, and then it will be easier to learn it.
Don't let not loving math hold you back from science! For some
people, it's just like all the training and practice you have to
do for soccer - not as much fun as actually playing a game, but
necessary if you want to do well in the game! Good luck!