Anina
Are introductory college classes actually meant to weed students out? Should I try to test out of them?
Hi! My name is Anina and I'm a high school senior interning at CareerVillage. I'm a little weak in Chemistry and Physics, which I know is terrible for a STEM major to be weak in. Should I take the introductory courses in these subjects when I go to college, or would I be better off studying on my own over the summer to test out of these classes? I would prefer to learn the material from a professor, but if the classes are intentionally difficult to "weed out" students, I'd want to take my chances with a placement test. #college #science
4 answers
Nolan K.
Nolan’s Answer
Hello Anina,
Classes are not intentionally difficult. The difficulty level is what the professors & staffs think is necessary to prepare you to pursue career in that field. If you think you could use more help in Chem and Physics, you should definitely study over the summer, but not with the intention to test out of them with bare minimum passing score. It will only get more and more difficult in your later years, so it's best to master the basic concept.
Yes! And if you are committed to learning the material, you will almost certainly do better after an in-person class than trying to test out. Spending a fairly free summer getting better with the subjects will help especially as you are busy with the business of just starting college, but you should not find classes to be "gotcha" or just testing your previous knowledge, and if they ARE, it would be good to know right away so you can take your time and money somewhere else. You will have to work hard either way, but if you take the classes you will have office hours, other students, and distributed work load to help you through.
Charles Bosse
Vernon Turner
Vernon’s Answer
No, the introduction classes are not "weed-out" classes. Students weed themselves out.
Do both. Study this summer ("Chemistry for Dummies", textbooks, etc.) AND take the introduction to chemistry course. You will need the basics scaffolding for the labs in the formal course in chemistry.
Learn to balance equations and understand the math in reactions computations. Understand pH and other concepts and the math that goes with them. It's really not that hard to grasp if you are good in physics and biology...which, by the way, are very relevant to chemistry.
Professor SIR Lloyd Christopher Stanton
Professor SIR Lloyd’s Answer
In todays society public school students have an advantage that I didnt have when I was in middle and high school you have the resources to now while in high school and during summer break to attend community college online courses at one of the community colleges online distance learning programs. you need to be now at your age and time taking college courses to allow you to gain college credits towards an Associates of Arts Degree 2 year program of study to assist you in preparing for your latter 2 years of Bachelors and 4 years of Masters Degree program.
To attend community college online courses at one of the community colleges online distance learning programs now will prepare you and once you graduate from high school you will just continue to attend on your local community college campus with the credits you have already completed now.
Only Take 1 college credit course while in school each semester. during your summer break take 2 classes like health, public speaking 101 or even physical education easy college courses you will pass with a B+ or A.
also please take a look at this web site to help you out now
https://www.coursera.org/featured/trending_courses_locale_en_os_web
Amanda Blevins
Amanda’s Answer
School in general isn't, or at least shouldn't, be about weeding out people. It is more to help people grow and gain knowledge in areas that they are interested in. If you go to a school where they aren't interested in your success and rather just tell you you can't, that probably isn't the best place to be. Colleges can provide many resources in addition to the professor for you to learn. Also, I was never very good at physics :)
Well said!
Charles Bosse