Bay 12 Games Forum

Finally... => Life Advice => Topic started by: Elephant Parade on December 18, 2013, 10:11:01 pm

Title: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: Elephant Parade on December 18, 2013, 10:11:01 pm
So, is it possible? When I was little, I was a grade ahead in math, but I ended up falling back for some reason, and now I'm just doing the regular math courses for my grade level. Thing is, I find math pretty easy. Also, I've been having some self-esteem and depression issues lately; I've been frustrated that I'm not ahead in math like I used to be. I figured that the best way to solve the problem would be to get ahead in math again, but how would I go about that? Could I study the material during summer, and then challenge the math final near the start of the year?

Spoiler: Relevant information. (click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: Lectorog on December 18, 2013, 10:32:28 pm
It's intellectually possible if you're willing to work yourself enough. TBH, you probably aren't (most people aren't), but I don't know you.

Talk with your school to see if they'll allow it. They'll give you all sorts of suggestions on whether you should or not too, whether you ask for them or not.
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: Vector on December 20, 2013, 03:21:45 am
In the US, at the very least, it's definitely possible.  I know lots of people who did it, personally.  So, I would ask your math teacher if your school permits that sort of thing, and then work as hard as you can!  Good luck, OP :]
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: martinuzz on December 21, 2013, 06:10:05 pm
If you choose to go for that, and try to get ahead in grade with your math, teachers will probably adore you for it, but you will set yourself apart from your age- and classmates.
Which can result in bullying, social exclusion and other unpleasant side effects. IMO getting a grade ahead in math at your age is not worth that much fuzz.

If you actually *like* math, feel free to go solve math and logic puzzles as a hobby, or find other ways to play with it.
Read some books on math and logic. One of my favourites, which might be still a bit hard for you to read through, would be "Gödel, Escher, Bach", by Hofstadter.

Go ahead, and ask your math teacher if you will, if he is willing to give you some of the harder stuff, and see if you enjoy playing with that.
But don't take it as far as 'getting a grade ahead', would be my advice.
If you still enjoy it by the time you're ready for university, you can always choose to study math for real. By that time, excellence is no longer percieved as awkward by your peers, as it is in highschool.
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: Vector on December 21, 2013, 06:13:59 pm
On the other hand, if you want to not be bullied by the other math majors in college, it's generally best to get as far ahead as you can in high school ::)

Spoken from experience.
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: My Name is Immaterial on December 21, 2013, 10:59:51 pm
Yep. I took the last half of Intermediate Algebra over the summer between 8th and 9th grade. Talk to the school's administration first, though.
Title: Re: Is it possible to skip a grade in math by doing the work over the summer?
Post by: mastahcheese on December 21, 2013, 11:05:05 pm
If you really like math, and are good at it, you could also try to go after other classes that involve it a bunch.
Physics uses so much math you could argue it's not even science anymore, and accounting is another great one, both of which are pretty practical.