ARGH! Freaking Stressed out on Geometry! NEED HELP!!!

[Kupo]

You may remember me from a few months ago, I was that guy who was stressed out in Geometry and wondered If there was hope of me passing my first semester. Well.. I did, and I don't know how. I aced the final and beat the curve, so that means I have over 100 percent. I was confused, but I barely survived with a C (71%), but I'm not complaining.

2nd Semester comes and it's halfway point. I have an F right now (56%) and I'm freaked out right now. I don't know anything about Geometry and I'm basically a sitting duck in class. I don't know If I can go to tutoring because I'm always busy during the week, it's either my tennis games, SAT Prep Classes, or going to my volunteer work committee. I tried going online and checking some websites but It makes things more complicated! It's like rocket science to me! I used to be good at Algebra last year, but when I came to Geometry, it got too overwhelming..

Right now, my teacher says the class has 3-4 more opportunities to bring up our grades. A few chapter tests, which is 55% of your grade. Also the Final Exam, which is 10% of your grade. I basically poop'd in my pants. Oh yeah, the Homework is 30% and Positive Engagement is 5%. Which is basically a free grade. He doesn't really care for homework. He's not a bad teacher, but his policy is.. "Yeah.. you can cheat/copy/bs your homework, I don't care. I'll still stamp it. But If you can't do those tests, your going to fail." I don't want to bs my homework anymore, I actually just want it to be something I can actually do. I can't keep running around in random directions in a forest, I need to actually know how to use the map to get out of this situation!

Is there any hope for me? A student, good at everything except Math. Doesn't know ANYTHING about Geometry, possibly passing 2nd Semester? I don't know If lady luck will help like last time, but I can't gamble on it! I need to learn. I only got like 5-6 more weeks of school left..

Are there any actual helpful sites? Is there a place with a sheet that has some definitions, postulates, theorems? Is there anyone that can explain how to answer a Geometry Question? Is there a tutor that can deal a fresh Geometry Student who is a slow learner? Is there anyone with that tolerance!? Aaargh!!! I'm going to fail Geometry!!! *pulls hair*

HELP!!!!!

[Lozzaa]

Hey!
There is every hope in you bringing your grade up. I know you say your too busy for a tutor, but if you can try spare an hour a week for one, it may do wonders.

Alternatively I used this site. Its based on Scottish Highers, but it should give you the info you need.

Maybe write down the calculations you need on one page, and use that for reference when doing them, you'll find with practice you won't need to use it.

Also, why not ask your teacher for extra work. I know this is probably the last thing you want, but it will enable you to work through more of them, and practice.

Good luck and If you do get stuck. I'm happy to help. I don't think I've forgotten ALL my maths skills :P


Laura
x

[pbandjay]

Here is a great math help forum that I used to frequent quite a bit:

Clicky here

As long as you post your own attempt at solving the problem, they are very good at offering help in techniques and correct solutions.

Sorry about the unlinked and improper URL, it does not let me post URLs until I hit 10 posts apparently. I used to have an account on this site but since the database error occurred I have been slow at posting lol.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Ok from what you've said I'm going to take a guess that you're in the US.

First - get a tutor. Cancel something nor give up an hour on your weekend, passing maths with a reasonable grade is worth it. It will not look good to anyone if you fail maths. Even I could find one hour in my week and I have to plan my days into stages I'm that busy.

Second - buy a revision book. Stop using online sites because they don't tend to be great and I'm always weary about whether or not they are reliable. I know of one or two that are but only for the UK, not the US system which is very different.

So go to your local bookstore and look for a maths revision book. One that talks you through everything you need to know in stages. I'm certain they will sell something like that in the US, we have millions over here. There are generally lots of different types so flick through them and pick the one that covers everything you need to know and explains it in steps.

Then go home and study! I know you said it's like a foreign language or something, but with enough work you will start to see some improvements even if they are small improvements.

A tutor though will be able to explain things better than a textbook and a tutor also reduces the amount of private study you have to do if you're stuck for time.

The best option for you is to make sure you ACE the homework and the end of chapter tests as they're work the most of your grade.

[InSovietRussiaORGASMGotU]

If you're struggling this much, then it's time to quit some of the extra events, get the help from a teacher or tutor. If you give a question, then myself and others on here can explain it. To me, geometry was probably one of the easiest math courses I ever did, with the exception of a course that involved calculating intersections of planes and lines in 3-D, etc... . Assuming it's nothing involving the intersections or mathematically modelling objects in 3-D, then it's pretty easy.

I'm not sure exactly what you're covering (I'm going into 3rd year university after my upcoming exams this month, I'm sort of out-of-date with exactly which high school grade teaches what), so if you give some examples of the test questions that you're really stuck on, then someone here can answer it.

When I'm doing a math problem, I try to look at it from different angles. So, for a geometry problem, where say you need to figure out the angle of something or the value of x, which is one of the sides of the object, I try to either break the problem up or see what can the information provided give me (crucial if it's a word problem). If it's just a diagram that you are given some values and need to find the value of x, the given information can allow you to figure out other angles or lengths of sides that the question does not need, however, that can make obtaining x much easier.

[Grizabella]

If you have questions on a specific problem, I'm sure we can help you with them. There are many people here studying math/science in university. I work as a tutor for math K-12. Feel free to PM me.