"Calculus books were made to beat you up."

My previous class had been pre-calc which was a mixture of algebra and trig which was very easy. But yes, this is my first calculus class. I am just afraid because I hear of so many bad things about it. But it is probably from those that do not excel in mathematics. Which I believe I do. I hope that you are right, that I will blow right through it. Because after this class I will have to take Calculus 2.

Cal 1 is basically learning about limits, a concept which leads into derivatives. You'll learn that derivatives are the "inverse" (though technically not, more like doing them backwards) of integrals, and integrals will lead you to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which is the entire point of Calculus 1. Brief overview: Limits: As x approaches a number, then its limit is some y value. Think asymptotes, but this isn't always the case. Derivatives: Rate of change, "slope" if you want to call it, but you'll be learning the rate of change of any polynomial. This heavily relates to physics, since at the very basic level, the rate of change of a position function is velocity, and the rate of change of velocity is acceleration. You'll be learning how this applies to optimizing dimensions and distances to reduce travel time or work. Integrals: Area under a curve. If you've taken Statistics, then this is immediately why the area under a curve matters. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Basically an ingenious way of finding the area under a curve. Your page-and-a-half problems will shrink to a few lines. Calculus 2 is basically using integrals to find volume, and learning more about the applications of sequences and series. Cal 3 deals with parametrics and polars. Anything else I mention to you won't make sense until you've at least taken Cal 1, but this is where things start getting crazy. You're going to have to remember everything, because everything you learn will immediately apply to the next lesson. Good luck, and study well.