Moving up to college courses can feel intimidating, especially when it comes to math. Even students who performed well in high school courses – or took advanced courses – feel the stress of jumping from high school to college-level math.
With the right preparation and mindset, anyone can thrive in college math courses. Find out what makes college math unique, how to choose the right classes and what strategies you can use to succeed – whether you’re aiming for advanced courses or just getting through your gen ed math requirements.
Is College-Level Math More Challenging Than High School?
The short answer: yes – but you should see it as an opportunity. While high school math builds foundational skills, college-level math requires you to apply those skills more critically. Instead of just solving numerical equations, you’re asked to interpret data, model real-world problems or explain the reasoning behind your solutions.
Essentially, you’re learning not just the theory but how to apply it in your career.
Some of the key differences with college-level math include:
- Depth and complexity: Courses like algebra, calculus and statistics move beyond memorization and rote practice to a deeper conceptual understanding that allows you to apply concepts appropriately in different situations.
- Cumulative learning: Each college-level math course builds directly on the last. If you don’t have a solid grasp of the earlier topics, such as algebra, fractions, or functions, the material in more advanced math courses will be more difficult.
- Problem-solving emphasis: College math focuses less on “plug-and-chug” and more on logical reasoning, proofs and problem decomposition.
It’s not about harder numbers but higher-level thinking.
What Makes a Good Math Course?
Not all math courses – or course providers – are created equal. Here are some aspects to look for when you’re evaluating a college-level math course:
Qualified, Reputable Instructors
College math can be challenging, even if you’re gifted in the subject. A great instructor brings clarity to complex concepts and can deepen the learning experience. Look for institutions or platforms with faculty that boasts strong academic backgrounds and teaching experience in math.
Student Feedback and Reviews
Reviews can reveal whether a course is engaging, accessible and effective. Look at the feedback from peers and identify the strengths – and pitfalls – of a course. For example, pay attention to reviews from students who say they always struggled in math, but this course helped them learn.
Choosing the Right Math Courses for You
Selecting your math courses in college is about more than just checking a requirement off your degree plan. The right sequence can set you up for success with more advanced coursework and possibly open doors to career paths you hadn’t considered.
Understanding Course Pathways
Most colleges structure college-level math in a sequence, with each course building on the last, to prepare for degree-specific courses and skills.
Foundational or Introductory Math → College Algebra
If you didn’t take advanced math courses in high school – or it’s been a while and you need a refresher – foundational or introductory math courses can give you the core skills you need before advancing to College Algebra. Placement exams often guide this pathway to ensure you’re prepared for college-level math courses.
College Algebra → Pre-Calculus → Calculus I-III
The skills you learn in College Algebra help prepare you for Pre-Calculus, then Calc I and so on. This is important if you’re pursuing a STEM major like computer science, physics, engineering, chemistry or biological sciences.
College Algebra → Statistics
Some non-STEM majors require quantitative reasoning but not advanced calculus, such as psychology, sociology, business, nursing and education. Statistics is often part of the curriculum and strength in College Algebra can help prepare you to excel.
Don’t skip steps! While you may want to jump ahead, each course reinforces skills needed for the next course. It’s better to be fully prepared than to advance and find yourself too far behind.