Going back to school and re-entering the twilight zone

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-07-2011, 03:18 PM

I feel like I have a huge road block in the way of my dreams.
I want to return to school in January to Major in psychology.
I have been looking around at options between on-line schools and traditional university.
The University of Central Florida has a local campus that offers the complete program! To get accepted into the program I will have to re take Statistics.
I met with an adviser and the plan is go back to community to take just the one coarse.
Thing is , this class totally freaks me out. Just the thought of taking this class gives me heart palpitations. I had to take it 11 yrs ago to get my degree and I literately got sick over the exams. I passed the course by the skin of my teeth but the grade is not good enough.
I have two options.

1. Take the course at community. Take only that course and focus everything I've got into it.Then transfer to UCF.This way will end up taking me an extra semester to complete my degree. Plus I'm not sold that going to classes is the best option for me because of my kids school schedule. I'll end up having to pay for childcare three weeks at a time every nine weeks. Plus student holidays. This is the least expensive option.

2. Choose an on-line program that will accept me right away. My husband ( a math major ) will be able to help me more this way. I feel I have a better chance of getting an acceptable grade. And feel I will be able to handle more then the one coarse .However this option will cost a LOT MORE.

I really don't know what to do but I know I have to do something. All the other harder courses have already been taken and I have many credits under my belt in the area of mental health. Im well on my way and with the exception of this one class I have a excellent grades. How is it that I could possibly let one little class stand in my way?
I'm sure you number crunchers won't understand but taking this really was my worst fear about going back to school.

**zakity** · 09-07-2011, 05:48 PM

Khan Academy

Dig through there and go through the "lessons". If you scroll way down, there is "statistics". It is almost at the bottom.

I start school in October for Accounting. My math skills are severely lacking. I can do up through division. I plan on using this site to help me pass the classes and understand some of the math.

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-07-2011, 06:17 PM

thanks, I bookmarked that sight.
Much like you, I think my math skills peaked at the third grade.
After posting I ate some chocolate and thought about my attitude. Maybe just maybe

it's my fear that's getting in the way. I'll take the course at community and do what I have to do to get it done so I can move on. If I go into this with the attitude that I can't do it I'm only making the hill into a mountain.

**katybug** · 09-07-2011, 07:41 PM

I also feel math-challenged, but I had to take college algebra and trig for my degree. O.O My only two pieces of advice are get help! A tutor, your teacher, your husband and don't stop at just kinda understanding, make sure whomever helps you explains as many different ways until *YOU* understand it.

Second, if you don't know it now, or didn't know it at one time, you WILL when you are done with the class. You are able to do it and will get through it! If I can get through Trig you can do statistics!

KB

**ncarr** · 09-07-2011, 08:38 PM

Go to UCF. It is a GREAT school and the degree will be valued by future employers/grad schools much more than a degree at a "nationally accredited" online school. It will also save you upwards of $15,000.

For stats class make use of the professor's office hours--it's free help! Also, most colleges have tutoring centers that provide free help. Would you be taking the course at Valencia CC? I can get you some info if you are.

Good luck! You can do it!

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-07-2011, 09:10 PM

I will go to BCC

**Libby** · 09-08-2011, 07:19 AM

Just wondering what 'scares' you about this class? The teacher you had? Your fellow classmates who 'got it' ASAP thus making the teaching momentum fling into fast forward mode? The math aspect?

I agree on asking for help or signing up for extra help. I'm sure DH can still help you if you were to take the classes.

The practicality in me says to take the course and face your fear head on (and save money). The risk is totally worth the reward

**Dancing Lotus** · 09-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Libby

Just wondering what 'scares' you about this class? The teacher you had? Your fellow classmates who 'got it' ASAP thus making the teaching momentum fling into fast forward mode? The math aspect?

I agree on asking for help or signing up for extra help. I'm sure DH can still help you if you were to take the classes.

The practicality in me says to take the course and face your fear head on (and save money). The risk is totally worth the reward

ALL OF IT! The math aspect of course but I do think I had a bad teacher who didn't explain much of anything.

I can recall a specific test. It was a take home and it was one problem only! I had my Dad, an engineer who minored in Math help me. HE COULDN'T SOLVE IT. He took it to work and asked his co workers to do it. THEY COULDN'T Solve IT. A room full of math whizzes all said there was missing information.
Of course the instructor proved it was solvable but if it was that difficult why would you give this problem to an entry level class? So yes I do think my instructor traumatized me.

After sleeping on it I have decided to face it head on and take the class at community. I have to remember I am older now and more disciplined. This is not the same class or the same instructor. This will a different experience.

**Libby** · 09-08-2011, 09:44 AM

The bonuses about doing this class over as an adult:

* you're able to recognize when the teacher isn't a good fit for you
* you will not be afraid to ask questions when something is explained unclearly
* you're able to communicate to the teacher that you don't understand and/or need help
* you're about to seek out alternatives for the help IF needed

* you will not tolerate being bullied or put down reverting your feelings back to when you were younger taking this same class

You control your outcome and I'm glad to hear that you're going to face this class HEAD ON. *hugs*

**Ponderer** · 09-08-2011, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by zakity

Khan Academy

Dig through there and go through the "lessons". If you scroll way down, there is "statistics". It is almost at the bottom.

I start school in October for Accounting. My math skills are severely lacking. I can do up through division. I plan on using this site to help me pass the classes and understand some of the math.

I just want to reiterate what was said about Khan Academy. Make sure and take the time to dive into it, you will not be sorry!!!

**NicJean** · 09-09-2011, 08:10 AM

You can do it. I also was terrified/traumatized by my college math courses. Get a tutor, talk with the professor, ask questions, get help. Yes, no one can do the work for you, but you are in control of getting all the knowledge and skills you can in order to solve the work. Best of luck!