I have" MAD"motivation issues
So, I love biology and I am thinking about going to school for it, but I am just terrible in math. It makes me feel like I will never make it to university, and it doesn't help that I have auditory processing issues. Basically, I want to read about biology all the time but I don't, and I am not totally sure as to why that is.
Help me please,
Cole.
At the state university I attended, biology majors only needed to take one math course (and the freshman "bonehead math" course for folks who didn't do enough math in high school would count.) If you are diagnosed, you may also be able to get accomodations for that minimal amount of math--a tutor, extra test time, etc.
As for why you don't read about biology more, that's puzzling. I've never heard of a spectrum person with a special interest who didn't actually feel compelled to pursue it.
Get some math courses and work books from a company that makes and sells home school courses. Most, if not all of them have web site stores you can visit online, and order from. You can study the courses and do the work at your own pace. This should help you bulk up your math "muscles."
Quite frankly, I disapprove of timing quizzes and tests, other than "this is what time the building where the tests are taken opens, and this is what time the building closes." I fail to see how stressing people with a time limit helps to determine their academic skill in the tested subject. The exception would be in some sport activities, such as a race. It doesn't make sense to me to stop some one from continuing to answer test questions just because an arbitrary time limit has been reached. People should be allowed to answer as many of the test questions as they feel they can, regardless of how long it takes.
I think you will do better at math if you can learn at your own pace, so go for it. Do have a relative, or friend or tutor help you when you get stuck on something. I believe there are even online tutors available.
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If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away.--Henry David Thoreau
That sentence (swap biology for something I'm interested in) sums up my life quite well unfortunately. I think it's because I don't see any gain from learning something at my age (27) especially if I'm not certain I can make money from it. Plus I'm extremely apathetic, which is a life killer.
Hmm, I'd say if you really enjoy biology then just go for it and give it your all but I have a math disability as well and personally, there's no way in heck I'd go to college for something with math in the curriculum. It all depends on how "bad" you are at math. I mean, I can barely do basic math but if math just takes you a little bit longer to learn and you think you could do it then go for it. There are special places you can go in college to get extra help and you can also get tutors. An alternative would be to take something that's closely related to biology with no math in in if that's possible.
Mummy_of_Peanut
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Joined: 20 Feb 2011
Age: 53
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,564
Location: Bonnie Scotland
I have a biology degree. There was not very much maths in the course at all, but you need to have arithmetic skills. How are you on this? There will be a fair bit on statistical analysis, measurements, graphs (perhaps including logarithms), just general number work, no advanced maths.
As for your motivation, I can't help much. I never studied an ounce when I was doing my degree or when I was at high school. Thankfully, I'm good at retaining. I've read a lot more more since I finished my degree. You just need to find your niche, but whether the course you choose caters for your specific interest is another story.
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"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiatic about." Charles Kingsley
i have a degree in biology and neuroscience and we had math, statistics, anorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physics as obligatory courses that covered all the basic stuff but were not that demanding in my opinion. there were also tutors available and the profs will advise you which books to read in case learning by yourself suits you better than attending the lectures. it was a german university but im sure you can check out potential schools and universities (and which programs and courses they offer and what their requirements are) on the internet.
a scientific career in neurobiology was always the only option for me because this is just exactly what i want to do. im not really worried about the career thing, in case i wont find a lab to join after my phd i can still work as a gardener or cleaner or whatever allows me to pay for my place, food and internet access, but i think going for your interests is absolutely worth it. you dont need to be a math genius to be a good scientist, you need to have that abnormal curiosity and a deep fascination for your field of studies. for me there was never any "motivation", just complete obsession.
I guess my math fear is probably turning me away from my interest. I have been doing better in math, I currently have an 88 in it. I just get mixed up with my negatives and positives in algebra.
If this helps I have an auditory processing disorder, however it only effects me very little, as long as the room is quiet and the speaker is loud and clear I'm fine.
