Whether youāre cramming for a math test or just trying to survive trigonometry, youāve probably heard this phrase:
š āAll Students Take Calculusā
Itās not just a hopeful message for high schoolersāitās a powerful mnemonic used to remember which trig functions are positive in which quadrant of the unit circle.
š What Does āAll Students Take Calculusā Mean?
In trigonometry, the unit circle is divided into four quadrants:
- Quadrant I ā All trig functions are positive
- Quadrant II ā Sine is positive
- Quadrant III ā Tangent is positive
- Quadrant IV ā Cosine is positive
So:
- All ā All functions are positive (Q1)
- Students ā Sine is positive (Q2)
- Take ā Tangent is positive (Q3)
- Calculus ā Cosine is positive (Q4)
But what if āAll Students Take Calculusā doesnāt stick in your head? Or you want something more relatable, funny, or personal?
Here are 30 creative alternativesāwith guidance on when each is most useful.
š 30 Alternative Mnemonics for āAll Students Take Calculusā
Each phrase still follows the A-S-T-C pattern, but in a fresh voice, with context on when itās best used.
1. All Silly Teens Cry
Great for high school humor.
“Why is the test so hard?! All Silly Teens Cry.”
2. All Smart Teachers Care
Perfect for math classrooms.
“Remember: All Smart Teachers Careāabout your answers.”
3. All Seniors Try College
Realistic and timely for upperclassmen.
“Trig today, college tomorrow. All Seniors Try College.”
4. All Snow Turns Cold
Winter-themed.
“In quadrant IV, All Snow Turns Cold. Cosineās the survivor.”
5. All Sharks Taste Crunchy
Silly but unforgettable.
“Even sharks follow trig rules: All Sharks Taste Crunchy.”
6. All Students Talk Constantly
Relatable and classroom-themed.
“Especially in math class: All Students Talk Constantly.”
7. All Socks Turn Colors
Visual learners will love it.
“Imagine the unit circle like laundry: All Socks Turn Colors.”
8. All Scientists Teach Chemistry
STEM crossover.
“Let your inner science nerd help you: All Scientists Teach Chemistry.”
9. All Signs Turn Confusing
Perfect for the āwait, why is tangent positive now?ā moment.
“Quadrant III be like: All Signs Turn Confusing.”
10. All Sprinters Train Constantly
Great for athletic students.
“Even trig requires practice: All Sprinters Train Constantly.”
š§ More Mnemonics with Personality
11. All Sleepy Teens Complain
Letās be real, it’s math class.
“Monday mornings = All Sleepy Teens Complain.”
12. All Squirrels Take Chips
A nature-inspired mnemonic.
“Forest logic: All Squirrels Take Chips.”
13. All Stories Tell Clues
For mystery lovers and readers.
“Even the unit circle has secrets. All Stories Tell Clues.”
14. All Sweet Treats Count
Helpful for visualizing sweet quadrant treats.
“Treat quadrant I as dessert: All Sweet Treats Count.”
15. All Stars Twinkle Constantly
Poetic and cosmic.
“Let the stars guide youāAll Stars Twinkle Constantly.”
š Contextual Mnemonics for Specific Uses
16. All Software Trains Computers
Tech-minded? Use this.
“Quadrant logic is like code: All Software Trains Computers.”
17. All Sneakers Track Concrete
Physical/motion metaphor.
“Follow the path: All Sneakers Track Concrete.”
18. All Surfers Travel California
Chill and coastal.
“Cosine rides the last wave. All Surfers Travel California.”
19. All Servers Take Cash
Great for students who work.
“Tips + trig = All Servers Take Cash.”
20. All Souls Treasure Courage
A more philosophical one.
“Face your trig test with heart: All Souls Treasure Courage.”
š Fun and Absurd Versions
21. All Sandwiches Taste Cheesy
A classic food-based memory hook.
“Trig time? All Sandwiches Taste Cheesy.”
22. All Salamanders Talk Calmly
For that one animal lover in class.
“Yes, it’s weirdābut it works. All Salamanders Talk Calmly.”
23. All Sloths Take Catnaps
Perfect for the procrastinators.
“Wake up for quadrant IV: All Sloths Take Catnaps.”
24. All Shrek Tales Continue
Pop culture edition.
“Like ogres and onions: All Shrek Tales Continue.”
25. All Spies Turn Cloaked
Perfect for sneaky mnemonic mastery.
“In quadrant IV, All Spies Turn Cloaked.”
š¬ Bonus: Serious Alternatives for Exams
When in doubt, try these clean and professional phrases:
26. All Solutions Track Clearly
27. All Sines Take Control
28. All Systems Tame Complexity
29. All Scales Test Consistency
30. All Strategies Target Clarity
Each of these reinforces logical problem solving, great for formal academic environments or tutoring.
šÆ How to Choose the Best Mnemonic
- Humor helps memory: Choose a silly one for better recall.
- Contextual relevance matters: Use examples that fit your interests (food, sports, science).
- Group learning? Pick ones with shared jokes or pop culture references.
- Exam prep? Stick to clear, clean, professional versions.
ā Final Thoughts
āAll Students Take Calculusā is more than just a math memory trickāitās a launchpad for creating your own mnemonic that clicks with your brain. Whether you’re visual, verbal, goofy, or serious, there’s a version out there that will help make trigonometry stick.