Q: I am majoring in elementary education. I am done with everything but math. I am no good at math, but have 5 math classes to take still. I am seriously considering changing majors because of it. What should I do?
A.: You might think of math as being like a foreign language. Almost everyone feels inept in the beginning, and most people give it up before they have really given themselves a chance to learn it. Considering how far you’ve come in your studies, I’d suggest taking at least one of those five classes before you change majors. Give it your best effort, and do it with your future students in mind, just as a good missionaries works to learn a language for the sake of the people he hopes to teach. The combination of your best effort and the desire to serve will qualify you for special help.
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Don’t give up on math just yet. Most colleges have a math lab with people who love the subject and want to help. Even though math may be a struggle, you may come to better understand your students who will in turn struggle with the subject. Your own experience may help in being able to reach out to those students who feel they want to give up on math as well.