It's all about Mathematics!
If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is. ~John Louis von Neumann.
Introduction
Many students see mathematics as a difficult or stressful subject, especially when they struggle to understand the concepts behind the formulas. The good news is that mathematical ability can be developed through consistent practice, active learning, and the right study habits.
Mathematics is taught in schools and universities around the world, yet it remains one of the subjects many students struggle with and dislike the most.
Do you struggle with mathematics or feel anxious about it?
Let us look at some practical strategies that can help you overcome your fear of mathematics and improve your mathematical skills.
Be an Active Learner in Class
Pay attention and be an active learner in class. Listen carefully to your teacher's explanations and take organized notes. Write down the concepts, examples, and questions discussed during the lecture so that you can review them later. When solving a problem, try to write an explanation for each step rather than simply copying the final answer. Avoid using your mobile phone during class, as it can become a major distraction and interfere with your learning.
Practice Mathematics Yourself
Practice problems yourself. Solve as many questions as possible to understand the concepts and become comfortable with the steps involved. Do not stop after solving one example. Practice additional questions from your textbook or reliable online resources until you feel confident applying the method independently.
Explain Your Thinking
Explain your thinking. Try to answer your teacher's questions during class, even if you are not completely sure that your answer is correct. Explain solutions to your classmates and participate in study groups. Teaching someone else can help you discover whether you truly understand a mathematical concept.
Build Your Confidence
You have to be confident – do not hesitate to ask any question. Do not be bothered about what others will think about this question. You can learn best if you clear your confusion about problem.
Understand, Don't Just Memorize
Understand, don't just memorize. Try to understand each step of a problem rather than simply memorizing a procedure. Make sure you understand each concept before moving on to the next one. Look for connections between different mathematical concepts, as understanding how ideas relate to one another can make mathematics easier to learn.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Ask for help when you need it. If you do not understand a problem or concept, do not spend too much time struggling with it alone. Ask your teacher, classmates, or a tutor for help. Sometimes a simple explanation from another person can make a difficult concept much clearer. Most importantly, do not leave an important concept unresolved.
Remember Always what Albert Einstein said ;
"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new."
Exam or Test Strategy:
Start studying math a week prior to your exam. It will help you to be well prepared by the night before exam and you can focus on revision of all the concepts, formulas and methods easily. Prepare your calculator, pencil, pen, rubber and student card a night before. Try to sleep early and after getting up have healthy breakfast and then try to revise for some hard formulae on your way to institution. Do not start writing all of the sudden after getting exam. First read exam paper carefully twice and start with the questions you are confident about. The questions that are not much clear to you highlight them and get back to them after solving rest of exam. After finishing your exam check all the questions, if you have missed some and also check answers. Do not forget to use calculator for calculations. Try to stay away from distractions during exam.
Online Mathematics Resources
There are many excellent online resources that can help you strengthen your mathematical skills, review difficult concepts, and practice at your own pace.
Khan Academy:
Khan Academy offers a large collection of free mathematics lessons, videos, explanations, and practice exercises covering topics from basic mathematics and algebra to calculus and statistics. It is particularly useful when you need additional explanations or practice outside the classroom.
Coursera:
Coursera offers mathematics courses from universities and educational institutions around the world. You can explore courses in areas such as algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics, and other mathematical subjects. Some courses can be accessed for free, while others may require payment or enrollment.
MIT OpenCourseWare (MIT OCW):
MIT OpenCourseWare provides free access to educational materials from MIT courses. Its mathematics resources include introductory and advanced topics, with materials such as lecture notes, assignments, exams, and, for some courses, video lectures.
A better approach to learning mathematics:
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Practice problems instead of only reading examples.
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Explain your solution aloud.
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Review mistakes and identify why they happened.
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Use spaced practice instead of studying everything the night before.
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Mix different types of problems.
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Test yourself without looking at the solution.
Be happy for your grades as you have worked really hard and you
deserve it!
I hope now you believe that " MATH IS EASY!!!"
A Personal Note
One of my students from the Graphic Design Department once gave me this picture of a girl shouting, “Math is very difficult.” She gave it to me several years ago, and I still have it.
It reminds me that sometimes students don't hate mathematics itself — they simply haven't found the right way to understand it yet.
Final Thoughts
Improving your mathematics skills does not happen overnight. It requires patience, consistent practice, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Take one step at a time, ask questions when you need help, and keep practicing.
Be proud of your progress. You have worked hard, and you deserve to see the results of your effort.
Most importantly, remember: Mathematics can be learned, and you can improve!
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You have touched on a difficult subject for so many people! Oh the dreaded math...and combined with our society, at least here in the US, to pass students on regardless of their understanding. I love the idea of tutors and keeping at it until you understand and even if you get all the way through and still don't get it...Coursera to the rescue! I have taken c=several courses online, but not math. I'll re-think that!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello Jacquie
DeleteBut math is simple, I see many suffering from this subject but this is what I love most in my life.
The idea of tutor is mostly common in South Asia and you will be surprised that even school going kids come back from school and run to tuition centers or wait for tutors to come at their homes to teach.
During my study I never went to even one tutor. I am teaching from last 9 years in different universities and I have never done tuition of even a single student till now. If I will help any student who is willing to learn it will be for free , and just for few days.. never charged a single penny. I am sometimes forced a lot to do so but until now i am standing against this. As I believe after my job the time is for my family...
What I have written was in view of general behavior, but honestly speaking I do not like home tuition stuff and will never do God Willing.
Coursera is best.. I simply love it.
I, myself hated math and it was never my best subject. My son has done math that I could never in a million years do and needed it for the computer coding courses he is taking. Thankfully we could afford tutors for him, when needed, during his school years and he wasn't just passed along. Unfortunately many can not and some, not all, math teachers should not be teaching it.
ReplyDeleteYes I know many have problem with maths.
DeleteYou are right, I believe what is said for math it applies to all subjects.
I try my best in my capacity that students get and love this subject but sometimes I just want to cry myself :) when all efforts are ruined. But Teaching is really an art, and it is not necessary that any gold medalist can teach you in a better way ,at times an average student can be a good teacher. I am happy for your son, but you are underestimating your mathematical capabilities i guess.
Math isn't difficult for me but everyone has some areas that are hard. Your tips are appropriate for any subject that causes you difficulty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beth.
DeleteIts good to know that you do not feel math hard.
I wish my students will think like this.
Hi Andleeb - I like this information and especially where you stress to understand and not move on until you do. So often when things get difficult we tend to set them aside which just creates bigger problems later on.
ReplyDeleteHello Lenie
DeleteIn mathematics rules are linked together like chain... if you miss one step you can not easily understand other formulas and concepts. You are true in saying so and mostly I have noticed this problem in students and at the end they complain that math is hard.
Mathematics is father of sciences....n I don't understand any science...
ReplyDeleteI will appreciate if you will mention your name but I have heard that Math is mother of sciences :)
DeleteI grew up in mathematics family. My dad was the math department head at a math and science focused high school. Math in our home was a second language. That said, this really resonated with me on so many levels. Love the post Andleeb, :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan
DeleteI really love it as you said Math was a second language at your home.... I remember one of my teacher Dr. Tariq he always used to say that Math always reshapes minds and all approaches of student studying math become mathematical towards life.
It was nice to know that your father was HOD.
Mathematics intimidates a lot of people. I liked mathematics and did well at it, so I don't have that reaction. Your tips are good. Students have the right to have questions answered and find ways to understand. Mathematics can be hard, but that doesn't mean you'll never "get it".
ReplyDeleteHello Donna
DeleteYes that is main point,you have really summarized whole thing by saying , " Mathematics can be hard, but that doesn't mean you'll never "get it"."
I went to school in NZ before calculators were allowed in the exams. That meant you better know the problem, the concept, and have the tools to solve it before exams came around. The only way to do that was to do them over and over again. Seems like too much is left up to learning the technology to solve the problem rather than solving the problem itself. Kind of like manually changing the channel on the tv with out a remote :)
ReplyDeleteYes this examples depicts the time when we have studied mathematics. But time is changing and I get shocks when students can not tell what is 11x11
DeleteSo I emphasize them to use technology as they are allowed to use it in exam... Its better to use calculator and right correctly, I believe.
Math was by far my least favorite subject but I was able to pass with decent grades. I was more a calculus person than algebra.
ReplyDeleteHmm that is nice to know that you like Calculus , I am also in love with calculus than nay other subject of math
DeleteMany people dislike math. They get through it hoping to never repeat the experience. When I homeschooled my child, she would listen to Sal Khan when she wouldn't listen to me!
ReplyDeleteThis is true that many just take it as pain with a hope to never take it again.
DeleteLike anything is it how it effects you. My major was accounting so you would think I loved math. I like numbers but not math. Give me a word problem and I freeze. Great tips
ReplyDeleteThank you Arleen.
DeleteBusiness math is somewhat easier than calculus I feel, I have not only read but also taught both. But math is study of numbers :)
It's been a long time since I took a math test Andleeb, but these certainly seem like good suggestions. I think what you learn from mathmatics is not necessary how to deal with numbers but rather a way of thinking or system of logic. In a funny sort of way math is like philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Ken. Our teacher always use to emphasize that math makes minds logical and develops an mathematical thought. Truly it is related to philosophy.
DeleteI had such math phobia that I'm already starting to get nervous about helping my kids with their homework! I like your tip to not waste time when you don't understand a problem but get help immediately. I think that will help us in the future.
ReplyDeleteYes Meredith
DeleteI feel this culture of tutoring is getting common day by day and if we do not know , we must take help from some one who really knows.
I love math. I'm a certified Mathematics teacher, and taught it at the high school level for years. It's nice to see that you are writing about this subject. Many people hate math and experience math anxiety. Often this type of anxiety can be alleviated through simple explanations and one-on-one attention.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest compliment I had as a math teacher was when some of my students told me that they switched their classes around (at the beginning of the semester) just so that they could have ME as their teacher. :)
Math is not written about enough, and awareness of math phobias is the first step to overcoming them!
Hello Lorraine
DeleteIts nice to know that you are a mathematics teacher. Mean you were a good math teacher.
I feel teaching math is fun. My husband is teaching computer sciences and he is always unhappy with the fact that he have to make a lot of effort every time to change and include new terminology and theories in his subjects and argues that math is always same.... Its not same but we can say formulas are same... it is fun teaching it.
I think doing the problem, and explaining it is important. Not for tests but to learn it. If you can explain how to do something, you embed it into your memory.
ReplyDeleteHello William
DeleteThis is correct. I agree with you. Explaining problems also improve understanding.
Maths is more of a mental challenge that a real challenge for many. I mean that people, kids especially, find it hard in their minds and they shut down. Being a mentor, I have dealt with kids who are stars in maths, and I found out that the reason is because they love the subject and the teachers are "funny". Kids will be good at what they love and if its fun and this is a big point for any maths teacher. Another point is to practice maths every day. Thanks for raising this matter Anna.
ReplyDeleteHello Welli
DeleteThank you.
its all about practice and hard work.
it is not like that you will study one day before exam and you will understand. Math needs time and effort.
Great approch
ReplyDeleteThankyou kalim.
DeleteI hope you have found these tips helpful
I am terrible with numbers and have been so all my life. I had trouble with math in school, but managed to pass all the classes. But I still don't understand the value of having to learn calculus and trigonometry. There is no practical application for them in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteHello Doreen
DeleteI feel you are not alone in saying that. This is question of more than 90% students.
If in some point/place equations are helping but we can not know that.
I will upload a gunny photo telling same about this point in post.
I also said the math genes passed me by. I think my fear of learning math started in grade school because, unfortunately, my 8th grade teacher would literally sneer at me and others who were "slow" at getting it. He stopped short of calling us stupid but that's how we felt.
ReplyDeleteOOh that is so sad , I feel sorry for that. I personally believe that all the students are not on same mental level, some get new ideas very quickly some take some time.
DeleteMany teachers are responsible for the fear of Math in minds of students.
When I was at school I used to find new ways of solving complicated mathematical issues. The teachers had never seen my solutions before but since they worked they had to give me high grades.
ReplyDeleteThanks Catarina for sharing your experience with Maths.
DeleteSeems that you were a very hard working student. This also indicates your passion, to fight complicated problems in life. I am sure, your thoughts, approach and actions will be logical as well. I wish all students have passion like you when they solve maths. No matter which method you are following if steps are correct the answer will always be right and no one can stop grades.
Math was never one of my best subjects but I always wanted to do better. When I was in college I finally found a teach who really wanted to teach it so that people like me could get it. It made such a difference in my ability to learn it and understand it. Now I am able to actually understand and solve difficult problems.
ReplyDeleteThat is very nice.
DeleteI believe that teaching is an art , if some one was good student it does not mean he/she can be good teacher. May be an average student become a good teacher.
for me mathematics is an art & it needs time , practice practice & practice till the perfection.if you learn this art you never get bored during the class.Just need to keep the intrust alive & never let any step slip, Thank for you export opinion well done
ReplyDeleteSome believe that Mathematics is hard but I think it just needs attention.
DeleteThank you Maryam for sharing your thoughts and its good that you were not bored in Math class.
For me, it is sometimes fine and other times difficult but enjoyable. Very useful tips :) thanks for sharing. Practice is key for such a subject.
ReplyDeleteI have struggled a lot with math in my school and i am sad to say that I do not like math at all.. but these tips can help many
ReplyDelete