AP Calculus Review
SAMANTHA GOULD
Co-Lifestyle Editor
During my Freshman year, my algebra II teaching assistant (TA), then taking calculus, confidently assured me that algebra II is the hardest class I would take at Crescenta Valley High School. To this day, I have not decided if he was joking, or simply remembered algebra as much more traumatic than it actually is. Taking Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB this year with Dr. Tanahan has made me appreciate exactly how much work goes into understanding calculus, but also made me realize I would definitely recommend the class to my friends.
My algebra II TA said that calculus is easy because it only involves a few concepts, whereas algebra II involves dozens. I remember naively holding onto the hope he gave me that I actually would only be expected to remember a few concepts, right up until our first test when I realized how many different ways a few different concepts can be combined. Calculus is about remembering everything you learned in the years before, adding other concepts that fill in the gaps, and then putting five seemingly unrelated concepts together in one question.
I should mention that I enjoy math and that I actually love putting different half-remembered ideas together to get an answer. That being said, I know calculus is not for everyone. If you want a strict set of steps to follow for every problem type, you will be sorely disappointed by calculus. The frustration of not being able to just plug-and-chug a problem is something I have felt countless times this year.
Calculus is not a light-hearted, easy-to-pass class. It is a monstrous amount of work crammed into an AP pace with difficult tests in the middle.
However, Dr. Tanahan made my year interesting—or at least hopeful during the harder lessons. She never made me feel like I was dumb for asking a question or not understanding a concept. If you are worried about needing someone to walk you carefully from point A to point B in a problem, Dr. Tanahan is that person—making calculus seem so many times more manageable.
If you enjoy math, calculus is definitely worth your time; and if you get Dr. Tanahan as your teacher, you will at least be able to laugh through the pain of studying.