Hi Professor Erickson,

Well my story is that I did the graduation walk in May @ CSUN.  It was wonderful & fun!!!

 

I was told by the evaluator's office at CSUN that I could finish my math & science requirement at a local community college.    Well, I thought I could just walk myself into a Statistics or College Algebra class.  Little did I know ... that I would have to take a "placement exam!!!"  Yikes!

I placed in pre-algebra!  Ouch!  So in the summer of 2004 I took pre-alberga ... For the past 7 years that I had been in school at night I had kept my GPA up.  It was between 3.5 and 3.8.   So it took me a total of 5 semesters to complete my general education math requirement.  I did it!  No one can take that away from me.   Life is full of struggles and challenges.  Sometimes your path might have lots of  dips and bends.     I like what Alice Walker -- author of the "Color Purple" -- says:  "struggle is the place we live our fullest lives."    I agree. 

 

So that's my narrative.  Well....part of it.  By the way, I would tell all the students and teachers in the math classes I took (after your class) your motto:  I LOVE MATH!  They were so intrigued by this.  I spread your message.   I still say "I love Math" everyday.  LOL!     Math can be so much fun!  And it's true that once you relax and enjoy it, you can succeed. 

 

...

 

So now I'm deciding on grad school.  I'll keep you informed.

Best regards,

M. H., Executive Producer

Hi Roy,

Remember me?  The guy who worked at Cal Tech?  I took Math 115 & 125 with you at LACC.

I have great news!  I was formally accepted by USC!  It has been a long road to reach this point and I'm very proud of this academic milestone.  Evening and weekend community college classes have gotten me to junior level (Art History major) but there are many studies ahead.  However, I look forward to the challenge and to the day when I can say "I'm USC Alum!"

Thank you for teaching me how to take great notes.  It has helped me succeed while working full time and taking three classes per semester.  I've wowed other professors and students with my notebooks. Its all thanks to you!

I hope all is well.

R. T.

hi!

i was a student in your college algebra class at moorpark last semester. this summer session i've been taking calculus and am doing pretty well so far (halfway through). i just was thinking about it and wanted to thank you for being such a good teacher. before i had math with you it had been over a decade since i had taken any math classes, and probably would not have continued on to calculus had it not been for your teaching style, encouragement and math mantra. thanks!

j. t.

Dear Professor Erickson,

I was so glad to see you yesterday!  I was heading to my class so I couldn't talk ... I have to say again your composition notebook method changed my life forever.  Not only I got wonderful grades in all the courses that I have used this method of studying, but my little notes became my best friends that they travel (with) me to anywhere.  I finished ochem 2 during the past summer, but it was so easy and fun because I really understood the material while organizing all my notes into the notebook's small space.  I even took my composition notebooks to my road trip to ... during this summer after the semester was done so I can always review. ...  I tutor at the MESA lab and students ask me how I became so good at the subjects, and I tell them about your composition notebook method.  It is THE WAY.

I don't know if you remember, but you once told me when I emailed you about my struggle with my family and sickness that I should be my own best friend.  I did that. I finally realized I was never alone and started to be confident wherever I went.  That, I think, was also the reason why I was doing well in classes.  I never felt lonely or left out when I remembered I was always with my best friend (me).  Thank you so much for the encouragement.  Last few years, it really helped me to get through all the hardships.  You are truly a great mentor.

So, I am applying to universities this semester, and I am aiming high.  I will let you know how things are going next time I see you or when I find out the result.  See you around, professor!

H.

Your previous physics 11 student