Algebra Skills: Needed in College?

I'm in college now, but I've realized I've forgotten most of Algebra from high school. How serious is this? Will this impact my academics heavily? Any advice on how should I deal with this situation?

The impact of your forgetfulness of Algebra depends upon your chosen major and the course requirements associated with that. Subjects in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) often require a deeper understanding of algebraic concepts. On the other hand, majors in the humanities and arts may not call for extensive math skills beyond basic arithmetic.

For example, if you’re studying Chemistry, you can expect that algebra will play a significant role in modeling chemical interactions or calculating moles. The same goes for physics, where algebra is heavily used. Alternatively, for those studying in fields with few to no math requirements, such as Journalism or History, extensive use of algebra may never come to pass.

Even if your major does require math courses, don't stress out too much. Almost all colleges offer math tutoring services, often for free. Try to reach out to your college's academic resources center to ask for help in this area. They can guide you back to understanding the subject matter.

You could also use online resources to practice and revise algebra. Plenty of online platforms offer algebra courses, and some even allow you to track your progress. So, if you're genuinely invested in regaining your algebra skills, there’s no shortage of resources available.

To avoid similar situations in the future advice could be to make sure you're aware of the course requirements for your major. Compound it with regular practice, especially for subjects outside of your direct curriculum, if you feel those areas could be useful for your broader academic development. For instance, math can be helpful even in non-STEM fields, like in analyzing data in social sciences or calculating budgets in Business Studies. So, keeping your math skills sharp could be beneficial in the long run.