Reflection on Math 107

     Overall this past semester, Math 107 has been a challenge.  Coming into this course and knowing the name of the course (Elementary math), I thought it was going to be a piece of cake.  I took Math 100 last semester and I feel like it had nothing to do with Math in this previous course.  However, it was good to see a math course last semester considering it had been a few years since I have seen math.

     I feel that I have learned a lot this past semester.  It was a challenge, but for the most part I made my way through.  I did fairly well on most of the quizzes and take home assignments.  I did struggle with the tests but did corrections for 4 out of the 5 tests.  I found the test corrections very helpful this past semester.  Not only did it help better my grades but it also helped me understand the material better.  I also liked the quizzes because they were short and showed what I was able to do before a test.

     Another difficult part of this course was not being able to use a calculator.  I understood the reasoning for it but it was something that I just wasn't used it.  I noticed throughout the course how many silly errors I made just from doing simple calculations.  With that being said, it is very important to double check your work, even if it seems to be an easy problem.  

     Looking back and learning about bases, at the time I found it to be very difficult.  Now, I don't feel that way at all.  If anything, that topic isn't at the top of the list for most difficult.  I'd say I struggled with factoring like I always have.  Ever since factoring was introduced to me in the 10th grade I was never good at it.  I definitely need to spend a lot of time reviewing before the final arrives.

     Math is the only subject I struggle with.  I don't know if it runs in the family, but the majority of my immediate family isn't too great at math.  I am not putting the blame on my genes though! There have been times this past semester I could have studied more.  It's funny because I am not used to studying.  The other course I take I do not have to study for.  So, when I study for math I spend usually 30-45 minutes.  Now that I think about it, that's not much time at all.  

     My feelings about math definitely changed.  I no longer despise this subject.  I feel that I have come a long way and regret putting it off for so long.  I haven't missed a class yet and I am glad.  I need all the time I could get.