Mathochism: Rinse and repeat

One woman’s attempt to revisit the math that plagued her in school. But can determination make up for 25 years of math neglect?

I started pre-calculus again tonight. I can’t say I am particularly excited about it, but that’s probably because I audited most of the course already. And I’m still smarting a bit from my summer failure. And I’m annoyed that I have to get a new textbook. And then there’s my usual August ennui, exacerbated by a recent heat wave.

But the first class session was satisfying enough that I feel my spirits rising.

Since California’s economy is still in trouble, the math department continues to cut back on sections. This means 77 people showed up for a 45-person class. I am very happy I registered in time to get a spot, but feel just a bit guilty that so many kids need a class I’m just taking for fun. Or is it that at least some are poor at planning?