Dear Future Calculus Students,
Welcome to the world of calculus. From this day on you will be exploring one of the
most interesting foreign languages known to man called CALCULUS! On a more serious note, as
a previous calculus student I know how that first day of calculus or maybe even first week can be
extremely intimidating. I still remember my first day in calc (calculus) where I was thinking to
myself, what in the world was I getting myself into my last year of high school? Just like me, you
might have heard many frightening stories from previous calc students about how tough the
curriculum is, but it really isn’t all that bad if you are prepared to learn and put in time to master
key concepts. As a honor student myself, I was worried about not passing the class and
lowering my grade point average, and therefore hurting my chances of top colleges from
accepting me. But like I said, don’t worry about what others have to say about calc because
everyone has their difference experiences in it, and who knows you might find it to be an easy
class (if you study).
First off, I would to share with some information with you about the teacher, Mrs.
McNeeley. Mrs. McNeeley may be very intimidating when you first meet her because you will
get the feel that she takes her job very seriously, which she should. As you go further into the
class, you will realize that she comes off this way because she wants her students to exceed in
both her class and on the AP Exam. Besides that, she is really a cool person and has a very corny
sense of humor. As far as her rules, she expects everyone to be in class everyday on time, if
possible; have their homework completed, and always ready to learn. She doesn’t accept late
homework or lame excuses about why something is incomplete. From my experience, I would
have to say that her biggest pet peeve is LAZINESS! Mrs. McNeeley expects her students to be
motivated and try their best at everything given to them because she works extremely hard to
prepare her students for the AP Exam.
Now let’s talk about the whole point into taking this class; to obtain a 5 on the AP Exam,
in order to get college credit. Most importantly, I would like to say that I highly recommend
everyone to take the AP Calculus AB Exam. Having taken the exam, I feel that anyone
courageous enough to taking the class and having showed up everyday prepared to learn then
there’s nothing to lose by taking it. As Mrs. McNeeley explained to us, you can only benefit
from taking the exam. The possible outcomes are all good; either you will take the exam and
pass it to get college credit or the worst that can happen is that you won’t get college credit, but
when you retake the class in college you’re sure to get an A since you have already had
experience with calculus.
In order to do well on both the AP Exam and in the calc class itself, there are several
important things you should know that will make your life easier when it comes to excelling
both. The first important thing is to make sure that are familiar with and possibly have
mastered all the topics in pre-calculus. With this acquired knowledge, you will find it easier to
understand different concepts in calculus that relate to those in pre-calculus. But I would say
that the most important topics from pre-calculus that you should definitely be familiar with
include: trigonometric functions and theories, the unit circle, sigma notation, graphing highdegree functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions. Secondly, you have to be very
organized and attentive in class to do well in the class and on the exam. The AP Exam deals with
a lot of concepts learned from the classroom; therefore, the AP Calculus AB class is taught at a
very fast-pace so that all topics on the exam are introduced. Also, one must do all homework
given and study on their own to be successful on the exam and in the class. Knowing that this
class is taught at fast-pace, in order to keep up while mastering the concepts, it is crucial to do
every single homework problem, and take a little extra time to study the material so that in May
when it’s time to take the exam, you will remember things from the first semester curriculum.
And lastly, another important tip into doing well with calculus is to avoid using a calculator as
your primary source for solving problems. In calculus, although there will be very few times
where you will use the calculator to solve problems, it is beneficial to know how to solve every
problem without a calculator. The calculator should only guide you to answering a problem that
involves complex numbers or impossible to figure out by hand. I say that if you can solve any
problem without the use a calculator in unneeded situations, then you will do fine on both the
exam and in the class.
In conclusion, AP Calculus AB is a class where hard-work, intelligence, and perseverance
will lead you to victory over the AP Exam (obtaining a 5). With the information I have just given
you, I hope that you won’t be intimidated by the class, and find it fairly easy to succeed in both
the class and the exam!
Sincerely yours,
A former Calculus Student who received an A in the class
Hello,
I just completed AP Calculus AB. Although considered a Hillcrest
student, I traveled to Bremen every morning to quench my thirst for
my favorite subject, math. As a student of Mrs. McNeeley, there are a
few things you need to know to be a successful Calculus student:
1) She may seem overly nice at first, but skipping a few homework
assignments will not be taken lightly. So do all of your assignments
and, when she gives you an answer sheet, revisit your work and learn
from your mistakes. It will help you in the long run and you won’t
repeat the same errors, especially on a quiz or test.
2) Take the AP Test !!! It was not nearly as painful as I expected. Mrs
McNeeley will definitely prepare you for the test. If you pay attention
in class, you can get a 5. If you take the class lightly, you can fail
miserably.
3) Don’t assume that you can slack at any time. I decided to slack
once and my grade in the class dropped by 12 percent. The class
grade comes mostly from tests and quizzes so do your best on them.
This, however, does not excuse you from doing your homework,
because those points can also make or break your grade.
4) Start studying for the AP test early and continue studying
throughout the year. If you don’t, you may forget the basics, such as
the Limit Process. The concepts that you forget will hinder you from
perfecting new concepts.
5) Brush up on Pre-Calculus over the summer and do well on her
“over-the-summer” packet. That is the first grade you will receive and
coming back from a failing grade is not easy. (I started the class with
a D and many started with low E’s. Of course, I did come back to
maintain one of the highest grades in the class, but starting off with an
A will help tremendously in the long run.) If she gives you the chance
to redo an assignment, take it.
6) You need to remember everything from every math class.
Trigonometry is especially important. But you often have to go back to
Algebra Two, Geometry, and obviously Algebra. Every math principle
that you’ve learned thus far will come into play in this class. Don’t
assume that something isn’t important because there’s a good chance
that you’ll need it in Calculus.
7) Don’t drop out. If you take the class seriously and devote yourself
to it, you can come out on top. There were many times when my
classmates said they’d drop Calculus, but I encourage you to stay with
it and work harder. You can’t achieve greatness if you give up. Find
your weaknesses and create a study group (you’ll need one at times).
These groups can help you understand the material better, whether
you’re the “teacher” or the “student”. I was often the teacher and it
helped me to perfect the material, since I had to explain the subject, I
achieved a better grasp on the information. Ask Mrs. McNeeley for help
if you truly don’t understand. She’s always willing to explain a concept.
If you get lost in class, tell her and ask for her help, along with the
help of your (possibly) brighter classmates. Never assume you’re too
good for help.
8) Most importantly, have fun. I loved this class and looked forward to
it every day. Your attitude can affect how well you do in the class so
make the best out of the class, even if it’s not your favorite.
Run away! Calculus is the hardest class you will ever have. Get out while you still can. These
seem to be the typical reactions from everyone when talking about the level of difficulty of this
course. Calculus came surprisingly easy to me and it can for you as well. The actual work isn’t
as hard as the class’ title, Calculus, makes it sound to be. Many think or hear rumors of the
course being too difficult, rumors by the way end up being, most likely, lies or
misunderstandings. The course can become difficult if one does not follow the teacher’s
suggestions. It is safe to say that Mrs. McNeeley is the best math teacher I have ever had.
Before I became her student for Pre-Calculus my junior year, I never studied for any of my math
exams and still did fairly well in my math classes. Things change when one moves up to a higher
level math course. Mrs. McNeeley will recommend, as I also highly recommend, students to
study for these tests to be successful in the course. Mrs. McNeeley will also explain why it is
important for one to keep all of their notes in order. They need to be in order so one can be
prepared for in-class tests, for college purposes, and most importantly for the A.P. Exam (which I
recommend every student in Calculus to take). The multiple choice part of the exam was not
too bad; the free response is what gets many students in a state of frenzy. When time does
come to take the A.P. Exam, a student doesn’t have as much time as they’d like to study so,
again, Mrs. McNeeley will tell you, “Go over your notes the very same day that you take them”.
This way a student doesn’t rush everything a week before the A.P. Exam and they can focus on
the practice tests and just go over the questions one got wrong on those practice tests.
The A.P. Exam is not impossible; in fact it can be quite simple to pass it. And if all goes wrong on
this exam they would at least have the necessary information to have success in the college
Calculus course. All this will be explained in further detail when the time is right. Students who
are serious about this class should do their homework assignments to the best of their ability so
they won’t fall behind. I missed two or three assignments and felt really lost the next day so it is
important for students to do the daily assignments. Background information of Pre-Calculus will
be extremely beneficial to a student to make the transition from Pre-Calculus, to the good stuff
a whole lot easier. Mrs. McNeeley is an excellent teacher so my best advice would be to ask her
for advice. Remember, don’t run away; ask for assistance when necessary and Mrs. McNeeley
will be glad to take time out for you if you are willing to spend time in her class paying attention
and doing her homework assignments. Do not be afraid to ask questions and do not be afraid to
get a lower grade, as long as you are trying your best. All I can say now, other than the class of
2009 rules, is good luck!
Dear Soon to be Calculus Students:
First of all, I would like to congratulate you not just for making into the calculus course,
but for even deciding to take the course. This course is not just any math course, and it is going
to be way different than any math course you have taken thus far. This class is all about
preparing you for college. Ok now hold on; don’t get scared away so fast, take a deep breath, its
ok. Maybe you hearing my story will help you feel more at ease.
Now, I started taking math courses here at Bremen back in 2005, when I was in eighth
grade. Mrs. McNeeley happened to be my algebra teacher. Even then, I was definitely not the
top student in my class. I struggled because at the school I came from, Kellar Middle School,
there was no emphasis on school work, and we rarely ever got homework. So, being in a high
school class where work was expected was like having a culture shock. I got out of algebra with
a C, and Mrs. McNeeley was hesitant to put me into Honors Geometry. It shocked me because I
never had a teacher not believe in me before. But, she ended up putting me in Honors
Geometry, and I did not have her again until Honors Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. Again,
math was never my best subject, and I struggled. But Mrs. McNeeley stayed behind me, and
continued to push me to do better. At one point, she even flat out told me that if I did not try
harder, I would not do well in Calculus the following year. See, I want to be a Pharmacist when I
get older, and for that you need to do Calculus, so if I did not do well, I could basically kiss my
dream goodbye.
So, I pushed myself to do better, and as a result, I ended up getting into Calculus. Now,
do not think that Calculus is going to be a blow off class, or a class you can skate by in. It is quite
the opposite. They call it Advanced Placement for a reason. When I came into Calculus in the
beginning of the year, to tell you the truth I was scared silly. I thought it was going to be extra
difficult, and I was going to fail. It really is not all that difficult; I mean it is not anything you
cannot handle.
The main topics in Calculus are really derivatives and integrals. I know you do not know
what those are now, but you will trust me. So, I am telling you now to pay close attention to
them, because they are key topic in Calculus and they will be reoccurring. They will be used in a
multitude of other Calculus topics. The breakdown of your next year is going to be this: First,
you will get that nice handy dandy summer homework packet, and I encourage that you do it. It
will definitely help you retain information and it does highlight key topics needed for calculus.
When you get into the class though, the general breakdown will be limits, then derivatives, and
finally integrating. They all build on one another.
Now, I know that none of that is helpful to you now. You are probably thinking, “What is
some stuff that can help me prepare now?” Well, let’s now focus on topics that are important
from Pre-Calculus. Particle motion will reappear in Calculus, just with Calculus formulas. Sums,
with that goofy E, yes, remember how to do those. That will help you with Limits.
TRIGONOMETRY FORMULAS!!!!! Most definitely have those memorized. They will give you loads
of help and so will the trig circle. Also, be able to know what graphs look like without having to
graph them in your calculator. There will be times in Calculus that you will not be allowed to use
your calculator. Ok, now don’t hyperventilate, I know that the past three years your calculator
has become life saver, but there are parts of Calculus, especially tests, that you cannot use a
calculator.
The reason for this is because there are sections on the AP Examination that do not
allow you to use a calculator. This entire class is all about getting you prepared for that exam
and that is why they do it. I, myself did not take the exam, for personal reasons, but I HIGHLY
encourage you to take it. Mrs. McNeeley does a great job of preparing students for this exam.
The test is not easy, but here is some information that may give you a bit of a breather. On the
multiple choice section all you need is to get half of them right, and the enough parts on the
free response to get at least 3 point on each question. Do that and you can get a 5. It is not as
bad as it sounds. Now, I know what you are probably thinking, “Why should I take advice from
someone about a test that they never even took?” Well, I did do all the practice with them,
which was basically a lot of retired AP Exams. I do know that if you study like crazy, and study
not just before the test, but a little bit throughout the year, you will do just fine on the test.
Mrs. McNeeley, as a teacher, she may be a tough grader, and she may want some things
in a certain way, but trust me, it really does help, because that is exactly how professors in
college are going to be. She does this for your benefit, and partially because she likes things to
be neat, like an OCD thing, but she does it to prepare you. Everything she does is going to push
you to make you better and to help you to succeed. I am living proof of that. Here I am now,
sitting in 1st period Calculus, writing this letter to you, and I am one of the 4 Bremen students in
this class. I passed Calculus, I made it. Remember I struggled a lot. And I was like the underdog,
and I was pretty much looked down on like I was going to not do well because of the middle
school that I came from. But, I am in AP Calculus, and I am in the Top Ten percent in my
graduating class of the class of 2009. But, my success is all thanks to her. Taking this course I am
more prepared for college than I was before. Before taking this course, I feared college, and I
thought I was going to do badly in college. Now, I am looking forward to college because I took
this course and feeling Mrs. McNeeley’s tough love. It really did a load of good. All of these
reasons are why I nominated her for teacher of the year this year, but shh don’t tell her that.
But in all seriousness, you are taking on this challenge and taking a difficult math class,
and for that, I am proud of you. If you put your mind to it, and do the work, you can accomplish
anything, even this class. And I hope that you take it seriously and that it is as beneficial for you
as it was for me. I wish you the best of luck.