I could have taken Statistics/Analytics for example and taken the easy way but I set the bar higher for myself and went with Business Calculus. That shit sucked, it was hard, it was insane...... But I'm glad I did and it paid off.
I think the next higher maths would have been Physics and even Physics guys found Calc a bit hard when talking to some, they considered it different but equal or harder in some aspects too. They didn't like it that's for sure as much as they loved Physics too
Some kids were forced to take lower maths in Statistics/Analytics because they couldn't get passed PreCalc or Algebra ll even and if you failed 3 times you weren't allowed to take the course anymore and couldn't move on to Calc eventually so it was important to study and actually earn your education the hard way. It was a lot of pressure because you had to pass and couldn't afford to fail or else you were done.
Flashcards, taking good notes, asking the Professor questions during, before and after class, study groups, spending hours in the Maths Lab/Writing Center, coffee and bagels are ones best friend in that sense there as well as discipline, consistency and repetition and just showing up and doing what you are supposed to do.
Diet Coke helps and goes a long way too *_*