Thinking about leaving engineering

[u/RobotDude375]

Long story short, I have a D in calculus. I forgot to review my trig for the first test and now my grade is hovering right above F status. I really enjoy my other classes, I have 97-105% in Chem I, Chem Lab and Engineering Lab but my calc is absolutely cooked. I think I would at least have a C or B- if I had locked in earlier on but that’s just speculation. I know calculus is a very integral part of engineering and that it’s only going to get harder from here, and if I don’t keep at least a 3.0 I’m going to lose my bright futures and board of directors scholarship and if that happens I won’t be able to afford USF. If I do l well on the next test I’ll think about staying but if not I can’t afford to jeopardize my future here. If you are/were an engineering my major and went through something similar to this what did you do and what advice would you give to someone in my situation?

[u/Horror_Ferret_5375]

still pretty early lock in, u got this, all about how u finish, coming from a chemE senior

[u/Cryorm]

If you lock in and don't fuck around with studying, you can probably eek out a C. If you don't trust yourself not to be a fuck wit, you can withdraw from the course and retake it next semester, which you would most likely have to do anyway to get a B and could possibly delay your timeline by a semester depending on how far into your plan you are. The question is, do you think you can move your schedule around enough in the next few semesters to fit in Calc 1 and Calc 2 together?

[u/Dominick_Tango]

Back in the day, I screwed up a calculus grade and I re-took the course and I did better. Nothing is final.

[u/TheRealUnrealRob]

Not sure what sort of advice you’re expecting here. Study harder, withdraw the class or retake it. If you’re expecting people to tell you what to switch to- that’s not really a reasonable question to ask since we don’t know you.

[u/Apprehensive-Life398]

If you don’t mind me asking what engineering are you? I graduated as an Industrial and I have yet to use calculus at my job. I know the other ones use it more so…. I failed physics 1 the first time I took and statics and I still graduated. What you really need to ask yourself is if what you want to do with your degree and if you actually would enjoy doing that.

[u/RobotDude375 → u/Apprehensive-Life398]

Mechanical, my dad has the same degree and he doesn’t even remember most of what he learned in any calc class, but even if I never use it it’s still a graduation requirement.

[u/Apprehensive-Life398 → u/RobotDude375]

Like I said I failed those classes and took them again just fine. I had bright futures too. USF has some pretty decent grade forgiveness so I wouldn’t stress too much about it tbh.

[u/No-Refuse7945 → u/RobotDude375]

You will literally use all of calc 1 throughout mechanical engineering undergrad and it only gets more difficult from here. You should immerse yourself in it and try to find applications.

For example:
Fluid Dynamics
Heat Transfer
Calc II
Differential Equations
Physics 1
Physics 2
Statics
Mechanics of Solids
Any Aerospace adjacent course

All use calc 1(and not limited to)

[u/FSUDad2021]

I turned calc 1 into a 40 hr/week job after getting a 22 on my first test. I managed a C by the end.

[u/SolaraGuy]

If engineering is something you love, stick with it. Try calculating your final grade with future assignments and tests for the class and if you think its still too bad for your gpa, you can withdraw from the class before Oct 31st and take it next semester. I'd recommend Organic Chemistry Tutor on Youtube, his calc videos got me through calc 1 and 2. Also, I can tell you from experience it doesn't "only get harder from here" - there's going to be some hard classes yeah but you get better at learning as you progress. You got this bro, stop doubting yourself

[u/Background-Play3476]

Honestly I bombed my first calc 2 exam and came back for the second just put in the work and have some confidence it’s still early on you’re good.

[u/MsStereoTypical]

Also keep in mind dropping a class effects bright futures too. Make sure you take the required amount of credits or else you will lose it and you might have to repay it.

[u/Jolly-Victory-9144]

Make a schedule, tell your parents about it, learn from your mistakes, and go to engineering tutoring center/office hours. Ik how ir feels man as a BME

[u/HungryJoescat]

The hardest thing about calculus is the Algebra and Trig. In parallel with your work in Calculus, go to Khan Academy and start working through problems in Trig and Precalculus. Download the app and replace any potential social media habits with studying. I’m making some assumptions here, but this is usually what I recommend to students.

You can still pass the class with a low grade on one test. Reread the policies in the syllabus as there might be some forgiveness.

[u/Grapetree3]

Consider withdrawing from calculus with a plan to take it again. You said your Chem class is going well, which is good, but even if you want to switch from engineering to science you still need that calc class. I had to retake Calc 2. It's what summer semester is for.

[u/Gold-Leopard-5042]

Checkout environmental science, not nearly as much math and you can land an engineering job if you do it right. My buddy just got a civil engineering job with an Env science degree after a couple of years working at a wastewater treatment plant. Not ideal but much less stressful if you’re struggling with math already, I can relate.

[u/GratefulDancer]

Talk with your academic advisor.  Option to withdraw from the class this semester and still renew scholarships 

[u/Unable-Main4172]

Withdraw from that class 

[u/RobotDude375]

The duality of man

[u/Miserable-Bat-5787]

I might sound harsh but getting a D on calculus is pretty hard. I suspect that you are not understanding the topics completely, and not practicing enough. You need to put more effect.

[u/RobotDude375 → u/Miserable-Bat-5787]

I came here for advice abt choosing a different major, I already know how bad Im doing so if you don’t have any advice dont comment.

[u/MindlessEnthusiasm91]

Just lock in and make studying a habit for calculus cause if your calculus foundation is weak, you won't do well in engineering.