Tim+Alcoser+page

__**Week 1:**__This week I jumped right into the action. I just switched myself from Math0990 because I felt I needed the basics to make the rest of my college career and life and success! Besides failing, sadly, most algebra classes in high school, i've been in the military for 4 years and further forgot even the most basic (and i mean basic) algebra.

That said, i'm fairly excited to finally tackle this thorn in my side once and for all. I had to wait for my book to come in via Amazon.com and was pretty impressed you actually let me borrow a book before I got mine (which came in the same day).

As for the math itself, I felt I did good on the homework. A "C" on the test is probably the best score I got on an algebra test since middle school (pretty sad, eh?). My goal for this Semester is to have a B in class at all times.

The homework and Chapter 1 was pretty easy, and I felt I did pretty strong up until I got around to the division area's such as 1.7. Overall i'm expecting to learn a lot and for this class to carry me on into my future career.

SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2009 __**Week 2:**__ Just finished up the weekends homework and I was doing decent up until I had the glory to stumble upon the graces of section 2.5 That said, i've really felt completely lost on this section, specifically with how to simply some of those problems so that I could get to work with dividing both sides to get the answer. Let's see, it's a plus, so do I subtract from both sides? All the examples seem to assume it's going to add and then I can subtract. But once I try to do the opposite, I can't seem to divide (the next step) by both sides because the number I got doesn't work.

Always works (must be done in order):
 * Simplify both sides of the equation
 * Isolate the variable
 * Divide by the coefficient

Not feeling great about 2.5 at all. I think I am going to skip 2.5 until I can get some more clarification.

SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2009 __**Week 3:**__ This week we finished up with Chapter 3 and took the Ch. 3 Test. I don't feel I did to well on the test, although the 2.5 issue from last week finally started to click and I feel good about 2.5 right now. I know the lessons are only going to get harder and i'm simply going to have to focus and study even harder if I am going to finally tackle the issue in my life that is Algebra. I know one big problem for me is that I have a pretty bad memory unfortunately. That and multiple step situations get mixed up for me and I often get lost and confused. I hope to develop a strategy in my college years to combat this issue as it will make algebra and my life a whole heck of a lot harder than it really has to be.

SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2009 __**Week 4:**__ Moving swiftly right along into week 4. I feel the bad just became worse. Ch. 4 is seems really crazy and intense with it's multiple step problems and pyramids and such. I feel like i'm going to have a long many multiple several no relaxation few hours studying over and over until I get it. The class instruction left me in the dust. But if there's one thing I learned, there's no rest for the weary.

Despite the fast paced, as i've previously stated, i'm determined to make it. I'm determined to finally tackle Algebra, and I may even visit the Math Lab tomorrow after completing another test at the testing center.

Overall, I hope Algebra doesn't get much worse than this. Perhaps i've spoken too soon???

OCTOBER 12TH, 2009 __**Week 6:**__ Well I forgot last weeks log and am about 2 hours late for this log. But i'll fill it in anyways.

As i've stated before, my goal for this class is to get a B. So far i'm struggling to attain a C so I hope something gives here soon.

By "gives", I mean I hope through increased studying (as much as I can on my already busy schedule) and i'm crossing my fingers for some concepts that I can grasp here. We all knew and were told Ch. 5 was going to destroy us, but hopefully things will come back to earth on Ch. 6.

Other than that, not much else to comment on. I'm expecting a C at least on the Ch. 5 test, and hopefully increased studying and extra work in the book will help me attain that goal.