Do you dread math? You’re not alone. A dislike of math can begin as early as first grade, and stick with you for life. Disliking math is one thing, because not everyone loves everything―but if someone asked you to figure out the quantity of soft drinks required to serve at a birthday party, would you freeze? If you answered in the affirmative, you might have math anxiety.
If questions like, How do I get all the formulae into my head? How will I calculate without the calculator ? swim in your minds, then Maths Anxiety it is! While some students are not intimidated by the subject all, others continue to suffer sleepless nights wondering how they are going to manage it? And not just students, even their parents are troubled about their wards’ performance.
But the question that remains is whether it is really that worrisome an issue? Or is Maths Anxiety something that is handed down to children through different mediums? Is it due to some preconditioning that students’ attitude towards the subject is such?
Math anxiety is incredibly common at all age levels―in fact, it becomes more common as children progress through school. Math anxiety is totally fixable, and you can do it all on your own.
We present to you a list of advice that has been tried and tested with students across the globe. These tips are sure to relieve of the aches and pains of maths anxiety.
1. Change your attitude towards the subject.
This is probably the most logical start to your improvement in Maths. Stop being scared of it like it’s Voldemort. The moment you start thinking of it as a challenging subject and nothing more, half your anxiety will be over. Discuss issues regarding the subject, if any, with your parents and helpful seniors at school and you will definitely get similar issues and plenty of advice that calms you down.
This is probably the most logical start to your improvement in Maths. Stop being scared of it like it’s Voldemort. The moment you start thinking of it as a challenging subject and nothing more, half your anxiety will be over. Discuss issues regarding the subject, if any, with your parents and helpful seniors at school and you will definitely get similar issues and plenty of advice that calms you down.
2. Study Harder.
You sure were expecting something different, right? Something more magical; less preached. Sadly, there is still no effective substitute for good old hard work. The major reason for Mathematical Anxiety in students is that they usually haven’t prepared enough. And this is because they avoid it. Students should ideally take up every maths problem head on, considering what they study is specifically suited to their class and level of understanding. So, take up all your maths problems as Missions Possible. Of course, you could always take external help like tutors or study sessions in school.
You sure were expecting something different, right? Something more magical; less preached. Sadly, there is still no effective substitute for good old hard work. The major reason for Mathematical Anxiety in students is that they usually haven’t prepared enough. And this is because they avoid it. Students should ideally take up every maths problem head on, considering what they study is specifically suited to their class and level of understanding. So, take up all your maths problems as Missions Possible. Of course, you could always take external help like tutors or study sessions in school.
3. Mark your Problem Areas and Topics containing Doubts.
Do you see yourself marking every chapter in the book now? Don’t panic! Some priority based work is required here. Take up topics one by one, with an intention of clearing your doubts. Slowly , but gradually, you will see you don’t really fear it.
Do you see yourself marking every chapter in the book now? Don’t panic! Some priority based work is required here. Take up topics one by one, with an intention of clearing your doubts. Slowly , but gradually, you will see you don’t really fear it.
4. Don’t cram Answers!
When examiners and teachers set question papers, they usually don’t cheat from your notebooks. You know that, right? So there is no way you can learn all the questions and answers by heart and write them in the paper. Take up one topic and practise different questions on the same instead. What happens when you learn answers in maths is that you ultimately don’t really know anything and end up making blunders in the paper.
When examiners and teachers set question papers, they usually don’t cheat from your notebooks. You know that, right? So there is no way you can learn all the questions and answers by heart and write them in the paper. Take up one topic and practise different questions on the same instead. What happens when you learn answers in maths is that you ultimately don’t really know anything and end up making blunders in the paper.
5. Apply Maths in Everyday Life.
The whole purpose of teaching mathematics is to make your everyday life easier. (We know that sounded funny, but its true). Try to see the use of the topics you studied in class in your daily activities. (Area of the ice cream cone, volume of the water tank… the list is endless) You are sure to find a friend in disguise soon!
The whole purpose of teaching mathematics is to make your everyday life easier. (We know that sounded funny, but its true). Try to see the use of the topics you studied in class in your daily activities. (Area of the ice cream cone, volume of the water tank… the list is endless) You are sure to find a friend in disguise soon!
6. Maintain your Calm.
Please do not snatch dear old sleep from your body due to maths. Your performance will not get a chance to improve, otherwise. Take breaks in between studies. Have good food that energizes you. Talk to friends about your studies, and theirs. As long as you make every attempt on your side to curb the anxiety, you can achieve the aim without much difficulty.
Please do not snatch dear old sleep from your body due to maths. Your performance will not get a chance to improve, otherwise. Take breaks in between studies. Have good food that energizes you. Talk to friends about your studies, and theirs. As long as you make every attempt on your side to curb the anxiety, you can achieve the aim without much difficulty.
The ability to excel at math is not inborn, and you absolutely can learn to feel comfortable with math through sheer hard work and determination. So, try hard, start early, and give yourself permission to make errors. Prove to yourself that you can do it. Share your experiences of being faced with maths anxiety and how your overcame it in the comments below!
cheers,
Aditya Thakur
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