Math - What to do?

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First, let me get this out of the way: I'm going to fail my math class this quarter. No doubt or confusion about that - I'm going to fail it and I've accepted that. It's not too big a deal, I can just retake it another quarter. This thread is about how I should fail it.

Here's the backstory... I'm a freshman at a large university, and for my winter quarter I signed up for a math class that's a part of my GE credit. It's precalculus, but I am absolutely horrible at math. The teacher I have is pretty much straight from India, and I can't understand a damn word he says (I'm terrible at understanding people with strong accents). Initially, there was another girl in the class who I was going to work with on the math (so we could understand it better), but a few days into the quarter she dropped out of school.

Since she was the only one I knew in the class and I couldn't understand anything the teacher was saying, I stopped going to lecture. It was a waste of my time, I never learned a thing there. I was planning on studying on my own and then just showing up for the tests. I did that, and when the first midterm came around, I still ended up failing it. And I failed it pretty bad. At that point, I was still not worried and I figured I could just make up the score on the second midterm and the final.

Skip forward a few weeks, so it's almost time for midterms again. Our school has these email accounts for each student, but it's complicated to log-in to and the site always runs slow, I only check mine once a week. I was checking mine on a Friday (the day I always check it), and I notice a letter from Tuesday from the math teacher. I don't remember the exact text, but it went something like "Remember: your second midterm is tomorrow (Wednesday) and not on Friday!". F**k. I completely missed the second midterm. Is this fair? Can they send out just one reminder for a test one day before it takes place? All my other classes send out notices at least a week and a half in advance before midterms or finals.

At this point, it's a given I am going to fail the course. The final is worth 40% of my grade, and the two midterms are worth 30% each. Even if I got an A+ on the final, I would still fail the class. So, here's my dilemma: should I even boither showing up for the final? The final is tomorrow. If I'm going to fail anyway, does it matter how badly I fail? Doesn't it all affect my GPA the same?

I can either work my ass off and study for the test today and tomorrow (the test isn't until 4:00 pm) and show up to the test, but then be completely bored and embarassed because of my lack of knowledge on the subject, or I can just relax, not show up for the test, and take a zero on it (but save myself the embarassment). Does it matter if I fail the course with like a 10% (which is what would happen if I don't show up to the test) or if I fail with a 30-40% (this is the best case scenario where show up and get a good grade - not likely)? Either way, I'm still failing, right?

Does anyone have any advice? This is really stressing me out right now, any advice will be greatly appreciated! Also, earlier in the course I tried to do tutoring since I wasn't going to lecture, but it was very little help at all. Sorry for the long post.

You should have put more effort into studying for the class. And pick better study buddies who won't drop out of school! You're going to fail the class now. Nonetheless, can't you just drop it so it doesn't lower your GPA any? (If not, you definitely should take the exam so a complete zero doesn't pull your GPA down further.)

Also, when you take a class again to fill the GER's math requirement, try to get into an easier math class than Pre-Calculus.

I studied intensely for the class and did tutoring, but I am horrible at math unless I have a sheet of notes I can use (absolutely not allowed here). It's been this way my entire life, no matter how hard I study. It's like my brain is only designed to absorb scientific information, that's the only way I can describe it. The reason I am in this situation is because I didn't receive a damn notice about the test until a day it took place anyway.

I can't just "pick better buddies" either. As with so many Aspies, I am terrible at meeting new people, and this girl was the only person in the class I even knew at all (and I didn't know her very well) and the only one that lived near me too. And it's not like she was a bad person... She always got straight As in her classes, but one day she just up and left without telling anyone.

It's far too late in the quarter to drop the class.

Is there a peer counselling program you can hook up with?

Also, the one day notice of midterms, is there a guidance counselor or something?

Since you're an aspie, you might find it worth talking to the psych counsellors, sometimes they know things.

What strikes me about what you've said is that you're relying entirely on yourself. But that doesn't seem to be working, not for math anyway. And if others are unkind (and they can be) - counselors might be helpful.

Well, I'm not sure if its too late, but you should definitely go to class. Even if the only reason is to look at the questions on the test. It might help you figure out how he makes his exams, which can help you when you re-take the class.

Also, it sounds like your teacher sent a reminder, and not a notice. You probably missed the announcement by not going to class. If thats the case, then you're out of luck.