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Honestly, in order to get a feel for whether you like Math, I'd suggest taking a look at the textbook for MATH 290 (Intro to Adv. Math): A Transition to Advanced Mathematics by Smith et. al. (8th ed. on Amazon, Free 7th ed. PDF). Go through the first few chapters and prove some simple statements (similar to what you'd do in CS 330, but taught in a more sensible way).

Note: Math isn't tedious calculations, endless derivatives and logarithms and algebraic manipulation, and solving absurd word problems. Math is about making statements and developing abstract concepts, seeing the links between abstract concepts, and being able to rigorously prove these statements so that someone else can read and understand it.

Statistics is a specific field of math focused on how to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. Statistics is used to conduct the US census, fight fraud, determine if a product or drug is actually effective, "teach" computers to recognize tumors or deadly mushrooms from benign ones, model hurricanes and predict storm surge, and all kinds of interesting stuff. You're required to take STAT 344 as part of the CS degree, and I think it actually gives you a good understanding of whether you like statistics (although the course also covers probability).

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Note that while "beginner maths"^1 are your basic geometry, trignometry, algebra, and calculus. None of these skills are required to understand that MATH 290 textbook. We have calculators for that.

Math is shared language for precisely describing the world. You observe something^2, come up with a general way to describe it, and then you can study it or link it to other concepts. Math is exciting because it helps you discover hidden meaning in what is around you.

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^1 In fact, prior to taking MATH 290 (Intro to Adv. Math), math students have already taken MATH 113 (Calculus I) and II and MATH 125 (Discrete Math). Many have also taken MATH 203 (Linear Algebra) and MATH 214 (Differential Equations).

^2 If you've ever asked yourself a question like

• "I wonder how many different meals I can make at Chipotle" (like statistics, cryptography, AI, etc.) or,
  
• "I wonder how much faster this would be if we had two lines" (like queuing theory) or,
  
• "I wonder how they figure out the best time to order new Tabasco when it gets used up/stolen" (like optimization, inventory control),
  
  then you're closer to what math actually is.

Come prowl around in /r/ITCareerQuestions a bit. See what everyone is talking about.

There are lots of ways to build a successful career within IT.

I've been doing this for almost 25 years now.
Based on what I am seeing around me, in my opinion Linux Systems Engineering is the hot ticket.

A solid Linux foundation makes you ready to work in Information Security, Cloud Architectures, Data Center Tech, Automation and all kinds of other shit that has dollar signs all over it.

Take a damned class in Python and take that shit seriously.
Python as an automation tool is powerful stuff with all kinds of applications within any business environment.

Take a damned class in Information Security. Whatever you wind up doing within IT, you need to do it with an eye on security requirements and implications. Take that shit seriously.

GMU has a fairly well organized Competitive Cyber Security club.
Go check them out. If that doesn't quite feel like your area of interest, that's cool.

On your very first day on campus, after the insanity of move-in day, you go find Career Services on campus.
Be polite. These are the people that are going to help you get a job later.
Ask them when the next technology career fair is on campus, and you plug that shit into your Google Calendar.
Get your happy ass to each and every single career fair and you learn how those things work. Talk to some recruiters. And you see if you can get yourself a summer internship - EVERY YEAR. Don't be too surprised if you strike out Freshman year. Not many employers want to hire Freshmen. But you go anyway and learn from the experience of interviewing and being interviewed.


Go to the library at your High School. Look for or ask for this book:

The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

I encourage you to get it from the library because it isn't a reference book that you will read over and over. It's more of a read once, expand your mind, and move on with life with an enhanced perspective kind of book.

It isn't terribly technical. Anybody with the slightest interest in IT should understand it.

Good luck.

113 should be repeatable three times like any other course, iirc. If you're worried, Math 114 is not bad at all.

Pick up these books as resources if you wish:

http://www.amazon.com/Schaums-Outline-Calculus-6th-Edition/dp/0071795537

http://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Trigonometry-Transcendentals-Calculus-Edition/dp/0321671031

If you passed the placement test, you really shouldn't be worried.

EDIT: the first book covers calc I,II,and III at university level, so it is a great investment!

Even more importantly, please do not drink and drive. And if you do drink, please get one of this. I have it to encourage other drivers to be responsible.

https://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-Slim-500GB-Console-Uncharted-Bundle/dp/B01LRLJV28/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487219083&sr=8-1&keywords=ps4&th=1 If you want to sell it has to be at least less than the retail price. Why not just give it to a friend or relative instead?

Not a textbook, but I've searched for a good 2 hours looking everywhere for this one and couldn't find it.

Crack the Case System: How to Conquer Your Case Interviews by David Ohrvall (2015 Edition, NOT 2005 - they are very different)

ISBN 9780996779203 and Amazon link

this will be a good size and look 👍🏼

Amazon has a 3 book kindle edition for free right now (you can use an app on mobile or your PC as well). I "purchased" it but haven't looked through it yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Python-Manuscripts-Programming-Beginners-Intermediates-ebook/dp/B07CQPHC1N/

This thing.

Nintendo Pokemon GO Plus Bluetooth Bracelet - 2 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0742P76VD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_d5.MBbP3YA7D3

It's for that Pokemon game. It vibrates when Pokemon are nearby, apparently the Pokemon nest is at bull run campus because that fucking thing didn't stop.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/1285453565/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all

Buy This

This is the book my professor used (Nong)

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Chapters 1.1-1.3, 2.1-2.7, 3.1-3.6, 4.1-4.4, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1-7.9 are covered

Slightly better.

My roommate and I plan on lofting our beds, but the handbook says we must submit a maintenance request. Are we supposed to do that on move in date?

Also, can I put a whiteboard sticker on my wall? The handbook didn't say anything about it.
(https://www.amazon.com/Coavas-White-Sticker-Message-Office/dp/B00ZUVLS82/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1501981934&sr=1-1&keywords=giant%2Bwhite%2Bboard&th=1)

legit

I got u homie
https://www.amazon.com/VTech-80-139500-Lil-SmartTop/dp/B00CMNX654/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=laptop+toy&qid=1564508247&s=gateway&sprefix=laptop+toy&sr=8-5

This, HP Pavilion 15 15.6" IPS Touchscreen Full HD (1920x1080) Business Laptop - 8th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-8250U, 8GB DDR4, 1TB HDD, USB Type-C, FHD IR Webcam, WiFi AC, HDMI, Ethernet RJ-45, Windows 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KWG73RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8ctBDbS9X8BFQ , or a higher version, HP Pavilion 15.6-inch FHD 1080P Laptop PC, Intel Core i7 Processor, 12GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive, Backlit Keyboard, Webcam, Bluetooth, USB 3.1, Windows 10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078XF5F8H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HctBDb3Q74RZ7 .

I don't think we have a dress code... My friends wear masks like these when they're sick and there haven't been any issues besides confused looks. It shouldn't be a problem unless it has something on it being purposely offensive to someone.