Community College Pre Calc
I’m nearly 27, and have not done any math in like 10 years up until a few weeks ago when I decided I wanted to pursue engineering. Kind of a huge goal considering where I’m starting from I know. I applied for a Pre-Engineering program at my cc and took the Aleks placement test. With essentially 0 studying to get the cleanest read, my first test landed me in Algebra. (It goes Algebra, intermediate algebra, then pre calc) I was given the study module through Aleks to complete so over the course of a week I did about 10 hours of studying, came back, and JUST barely placed into Pre-Calc. Which is great because that actually is college creds, the other two classes would’ve just been developmental. But I’m pretty nervous and feel like I have no idea what to expect. I have a strong enough understanding of Algebra but feel like there’s so much I’m still probably missing. I’m rusty. But seemed to remember a lot of concepts again quickly. My class starts Thursday. I’m only taking one other college class since I work full time. My question is, is it reasonable for me go go into this thinking that I can pick it up again, and self study the “algebra holes” I may have to get fully up to speed? The pre engineering program requires pre calc 1, then pre calc 2, THEN calculus. So it’s aimed towards people who are a little behind anyways I suppose. I never took pre calc in HS and wasn’t really a star math student. I just have a newfound drive to become an engineer, but am wondering if I’m in over my head with the pre calc after being away from a classroom for oh so long. I do consider myself a quick learner and eager to get back into math, and can utilize free tutors.
Posted Aug 30, 2026, 9:21 PM UTC