Math Dreams

 
I just got back from Turkey and trying to get on a normal sleeping schedule. Tonight (this morning?) hasn't really worked though - I fell fast asleep at 8:30 pm and was wide awake at 2:00 am. In an attempt to make myself drowsy, I thought that I would write about the dream that I had a few hours ago.

For years, ever since I was in college, I have had a reoccurring dream about an undergraduate math class. I usually forget about this dream until I have it again. The dream revolves around being enrolled in a math class - but I either have forgotten that I was enrolled or have purposely avoided going to class. And then, halfway through the semester, I realize that I need to go to class (and do all of my homework!) if I want to pass the course. The rest of the dream involves me frantically trying to learn all of the math material and do all of the homework so that I can get a decent grade. Since I've never really liked math too much, the dream ends up being rather stressful.

Math has never been by strong suit. I think that I'm definitely capable of learning complex math, but I didn't have very good math teachers in junior high and high school. I also had some weird circumstances that left me in a weak position. I remember being sick for a few days in third grade and staying home from school. When I went back to school, my classmates had been introduced to fractions and were cruising through the unit. I was able to teach myself and get by alright on my own, but I've never really liked fractions since that point. Even today, I'd rather compute numbers in decimals instead of fractions.

In the beginning of 9th grade I was placed in an honors geometry course. My teacher preferred to cover the material in the second half of the textbook first, with the promise that we would cover the beginning of the book in the latter part of the year. Then, halfway through the school year, I moved to a new state. We had the same geometry textbook in my new class, but this class had just finished covering the material in first part of the textbook. Basically, I moved just in time to cover the second half of the textbook all over again. Since I had already learned that material, I got a great grade in that math class and even helped to tutor my classmates. But I finished the class having only learned half of the course material!

Good thing J is good at math. He will probably better at helping Sam with his math homework. But who knows? Maybe I'll be able to refine my math skills by reviewing Sam's homework over the next 12+ years.