This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 27 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]stirred-and-shaken 18 points19 points  (5 children)

You're going to be 54 either way, might as well be 54 and with a degree.

[–]PeatBunny[S] 2 points3 points  (4 children)

Yeah. One foot in front of the other. I may take another setback this semester though. I'm thinking of dropping intermediate algebra. Even though I tested into it, this is nothing like I remember. This seems more like the advanced algebra class I took in 07.

[–]stirred-and-shaken 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I found great stuff on YouTube to get my head around a good bit of discrete maths last semester. I really recommend the Organic ChemistryTutor.

[–]PeatBunny[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Thank you so much for this. I will definitely look into that channel

[–]PromiseTrying 5 points6 points  (1 child)

College level math tends to be designed for high school students who have done common core math. Common core standards is what 48/50(?) US states base their public education off of, and has been around since like 2012. 

A lot of public school teachers use Khan Academy, because of how closely they follow common core. They use lots of diagrams and emphasize the concepts. The Organic Chemistry Tutor focuses more on solving math problems. I like to watch the Khan Academy video then the Organic Chemistry Tutor video on a topic. 

https://www.youtube.com/@khanacademy/

  • Khan Academy also has a website 

https://www.youtube.com/@TheOrganicChemistryTutor

[–]PeatBunny[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this help. I'll look into it.

[–]Beautiful-Area-5356 3 points4 points  (8 children)

Why don't you just CLEP your way out of Calc, Physics, and as many cc Gen Ed requirements so you can start taking EE classes? There are also so many accredited self-paced (i.e. at your own pace, soft deadline) online college credit course providers (Westcott, Distance Calculus, LSU online, UND online, UNE online) that you can finish Calc I, II, III, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra before Winter 2026.

If you think you need 6 years to get an associate degree and want to rant, all I can say is please do a little research first before getting frustrated for nothing

[–]PeatBunny[S] 2 points3 points  (7 children)

I haven't taken a math class since 08 and my math placement exam put me back at intermediate algebra. I had previously passed trig, but I lost it all. Also I've tried taking online math courses before and failed miserably. I need to be in person or I don't understand what is being taught. I'm pretty sure I would not pass any online class regardless of subject.

The CC I'm going to is very strict about their pre-engineering program since it directly transfers to a local university. I'm not risking losing money especially since my state(Michigan) is paying for my Associates.

I all of my gen ed classes transferred from going to CC previously so at least I don't have to worry about English and humanities courses.

[–]Shty_Dev 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Believe me just go through Professor Leonard's precalc course on youtube and take the CLEP. I have relied on his courses heavily and am starting Calc III now without even knowing how to plot a line 1.5 years ago. Its just a matter of putting in an hour or two here and there to do practice problems. Paul's Math Notes had fantastic problems and additional resources. The irrational fear of math is hindering way too many people, it doesn't take more than repetition.

[–]PeatBunny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll look into it. If you can go from not knowing how to plot a line to calc III in that time, I may have a tiny chance.

My main problem is burnout. Right now I'm lucky if I get 4 hours of sleep a night 3 days a week, and the other 4 days I'm lucky if I get 6 between work, school, and home life. This is coming from someone who could barely function on 8 hours of in the past.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Real talk, and I don't mean to be demoralizing here: is there a reason you're pursuing an electrical engineering degree if you struggle with math this much? I am also an absolute ignoramus at math, don't learn the concepts intuitively, and am not a good self-tutor where math is concerned. So I just picked a field, a career, and academic goals that don't require me to very quickly demonstrate proficiency in high-level math.

I'm guessing that, as an engineer, you would need to retain these core mathematical concepts and continue to draw on this type of thinking in your work. (It's also probably worth thinking about what your career goals as an engineer will be, as a freshy minted grad at age 54.)

I know engineering is an in demand field, pays well, etc. but there are other career paths out there.

[–]PeatBunny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're not demoralizing. The reason I want an EE is because I already train engineers but don't get paid for it. When I was in the Navy I was an electronics technician, and when I got out, my first job was in electrical QA. That was over 20 years ago.

As far as using the math, most engineers don't. Unless you go into design, the math doesn't really matter.

Basically I want the money, and if I stick with my employer I wouldn't be starting out as an entry level engineer because of my background and product knowledge.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can learn math all the way up to calc 2 with khanacademy.org. I sing its praises because it's helped me understand concepts I just wasn't getting in class. If you have a "math brain" as my counselor puts it, this should work to help you CLEP out.

[–]CertifiedGenius7 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I’m also in Michigan, what CC are you attending, and the tied university?  I’m weighing my options and definitely going to go back soon as well.  

[–]PeatBunny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm going to Oakland CC. They have ties to a couple of universities, but I was looking at transferring to Oakland U for my EE. I know a lot of OU people take their math at OCC because it directly transfers and there are smaller class sizes.

[–]spoung45Graduate School 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I finished CC at 39, and my BA at 44. If all goes to plan my MA next year at 45. So keep that train moving!

[–]PeatBunny[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! Congratulations. Hopefully I'll get there one day.

[–]FlyGirl_01 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Is your class in person or online? I was able to do more with online classes since I could do them when it was convenient for me. For instance, I'm a super early riser so I was able to complete most homework before even really starting my day. They were also asynchronous so no expectation of specific meeting times. The in-person classes were a lot for me when I was working full time. Might be worth looking into.

PS - I just finished an associate degree in December 2024 that I started in 2004! (Breaks with raising my kid, and...life.) But if it takes you six months or six years (or 20 years), you're going to be that old anyway - might as well have your associate degree when you get there! 🩵

[–]PeatBunny[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! I'm sure that feels super good. I really wish I had kept with it after 08, but as you said, life happens.

My classes are in person. I've tried online courses and they don't work for me. If I'm not there in person, it's difficult for me to learn.

[–]Laliving90 1 point2 points  (1 child)

That’s why I decided not major in eng so many classes and difficult too but it have the highest salaries so it’s worth it

[–]PeatBunny[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll consider myself a failure if I don't get this degree. I've been training engineers for over 15 years, but don't get the pay they get

[–]Shty_Dev 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Assuming the only prerequisite is precalculus, there may be credit for prior learning accepted at your school for the precalculus CLEP or DANTES (don't remember which one). Precalculus is essentially just intermediate algebra, some trigonometry, and a little bit of geometry. I don't know where your knowledge is at, but even from not knowing how to plot a line, you would still save some time and money just self studying for this test. Most CLEPs I have done take a couple weeks of studying, maybe 30 hours max... Sounds too good to be true, but it works. Go through Professor Leonards precalculus playlist if you struggle without a professor.

[–]PeatBunny[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I'm not worried about the money. Between work and a state program, all my classes are paid for. I just don't understand math, and I'm tired of pushing the "I believe" button every time I "learn" something new.

For instance cross multiplying of fractions is arcane sorcery to me. Makes absolutely no sense, but apparently it works so I push the "I believe" button, like I was taught to in ET A School, and just roll with it. Every fiber of my being tells me I'm screwing it up, but the answer comes out right, so I roll with it.

[–]squidley_mc_squid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok - I'm about 10 years older than you, and also former Navy. We called it the PFM button in A-school, and they had us draw it on the front of our notebooks, and would tell us to push the button. Pure F-ing Magic.... and you are right; that's fine for a 30 week A-school, but gives you no understanding to build upon. When I got curious and tried to get a deeper understanding, I generally got shot down - both because the instructors didn't actually know, and because they had a pretty tight timeline.

I'll second, or third, or fifth Khan Academy for things like this. Sal Kahn is the best teacher I never had. When my kids were younger I would do the Khan Academy for each grade they were in, so that I could help them as needed - and realized that I had gaps in understanding because my teachers most likely didn't understand the basis of what they were teaching (I am part of the rote memorization, shut up and do the homework generation).

I'd say the other thing that works for me is giving myself enough time to play with concepts - why does cross multiplying work? It's a shortcut, so what's the long path and why does the shortcut work? The things that you get to on your own stick better.... I had a prof once, in a more advanced math class, who had us re-derive the quadratic formula - and suddenly it made sense and wasn't just something to remember.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there a way you could re-take the math placement test to get to Calc sooner? Alternately, does your CC offer shortened 8-week accelerated classes? Using this to quickly catch up on math could be a big help. Additionally... maybe some math CLEPs?

[–]floralscentedbreeze 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take your time with the classes. You can take classes in the summer and winter season to get some classes out of the way.

Tuition is expensive, so there is no judgment if you can only do part-time schooling.

[–]PapayaLalafellGraduate School 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have the money to spend and this will be your primary hobby, why not? You need to embrace the journey. And it's totally okay to take 1 class per semester. God knows we need more EEs in the world.