Calculus can be an intensely challenging field of mathematics to master. As with any subject relating to math, the repetitive nature of homework and studying can become disheartening rapidly. Many students succumb to this type of struggle and ultimately fail calculus.
The road to success can be a long and hard battle, however understanding why people fail calculus can arm students and instructors with the resources needed to succeed.
1.The Calculus Curriculum is Intense
The curriculum for Calculus is like no other mathematics course and many students who, on the surface, seem ready for college level math, may realize they are ill prepared for the demands of this course. The most common problem areas usually involve the quantity of formulas or rules to remember, the degree of problem solving and analytical skills required, the speed of calculation required, and the need to study for hours at a time. Calculus may seem like an easy breeze for the A-level mathematicians, but for the average student it can become a daunting roadblock in their academic career.
2.Challenge Lead to Complacency
Even students who have been top of their mathematics classes in high school may find themselves having trouble in Calculus. Many of these students might have never really been challenged before, or been able to coast through using knowledge from earlier classes. That complacency can keep them from understanding the more intricate details of Calculus and set them up for failure in the long run.
3.Teachers Lack Calculus Pedagogy Skills
The lack of teachers skilled in Calculus and its pedagogical instruction could completely derail a student’s performance and final grade. Most existing teachers are able to understand and explain the general concepts, they may not have the necessary skills to teach the more nuanced aspects of the subject. Many universities have implemented teacher training programs to help instructors understand the guidelines of Calculus pedagogy which could put more students on a successful path.
4.Poor Time Management
Procrastination and poor time management is often the biggest contributing factor to students failing Calculus. Those students who are disorganised and fail to make good use of their allocated time may struggle to keep up with the pace of the course. Calculus often builds up on previous topics and mastering each concept is the key to success, any downtime or delay can cause a student to fall behind and struggle to catch up.
5.Lack of Basic Mathematical Skills
Many students may believe that having a grounding in algebra is sufficient for a Calculus course, however that is not accurate. To really excel in Calculus, a student must have a strong understanding of simple mathematical operations from fractions, addition and subtraction, to multiplication and division.
These basic concepts need to be grasped and comprehended in order to understand the more theoretical global ideas in Calculus. Many students may lack the necessary foundation it requires to reach success in Calculus.
6.Independent Study
Calculus students must often be introspective as well as collaborative. Spending time on independent study is important to internalizing the more complex concepts.
Instituting independent study time is essential in truly understanding the mathematical ideas and formulating new ways to solve problems.
7.Cognitive Overload
A student’s mind can only comprehend so much knowledge over a short period of time and this can become a difficult obstacle to tackling Calculus. Highlighting the key points and understanding the general process of a problem will often alleviate cognitive overload. Group discussions with your peers can also help in this respect, providing you with different insights and different approaches to problems.
8.Lack of Motivation
Not every student will have a natural affinity to mathematics, as with any subject disciplines, when the going gets tough they may begin to lack motivation to continue. Often this could be due to the fact that their purpose for taking the course has been lost in their struggles. To avoid this, it is crucial to pick an area of concentration that is tailored to your own interests and passions.
9.Ineffective Learning Habits
Some students may hit a wall when it comes to developing a study routine for Calculus. Not allocating enough time for studying, actively avoiding studying due to laziness, or poor ways of studying can all contribute to demonstrating a lack of understanding of the material.
Habits such as these, or any ineffective methods of studying, should be addressed and improved to ensure steady improvement in your performance.
10.Too Much Reliance on Tutors
Hiring a tutor to help you understand difficult problems and complex theories can be incredibly helpful in your journey through the course. However, many students become too reliant on those tutoring sessions, believing they can rely solely on the expertise of their teacher. This ineffectual form of studying can cause a student to miss out on mastering essential concepts of the course.
11. Unclear Study Objectives
Often students will begin a course with a goal but the objectives become distorted during the process. It is important for a student striving for success to take active steps to review their study objectives and stay on a clearly defined track to achieve those aims. Not doing so can leave a student feeling lost and confused, causing them to veer into the weeds of their Calculus course.
12.Not Asking for Help
Sometimes it is necessary to open up and ask for help. Struggling through problems without assistance may seem a noble task, however Calculus can become overwhelmingly challenging and too difficult to confront without a friendly advisor or mentor. Asking for help and seeking clarification can help you find the answers more quickly, and importantly, in the right way.
13. Poor Revision Techniques
Viewing revision as an afterthought can cause students to miss out on many of the crucial stepping-stones of Calculus; sacrificing the detail and ultimately leading them to fail the course. Keeping track of the different sections of the course or the various topics is important to making sure you don’t miss anything out during the learning process. Regular tests or pop quizzes are also vital in keeping your learning focused and on-point.
Conclusion
It’s completely natural to struggle with an intense subject like Calculus. However, understanding the main reasons why people fail calculus is the key to setting up a support structure in order to succeed. Those resources and guidance can enable any student to be in a better position to tackle any future challenges they may face.