Better Grades In Math Are Possible !
Is your academic accomplishment suffering because you are having problems with maths ?
Math is one of those subjects that many students struggle to come to terms with. In my time at high school (becoming more and more distant every day!), we used to talk about being Humanities students (those kids who enjoyed English, Literature, History and so on) or Mathematics / Science students (those kids who truly understood Maths , Chemistry, Physics and so on). It is accurate to say that a person’s preferred learning style may lead to preferences for particular types of subjects. However, this does not mean that you have to be stuck failing in Mathematics !
Some of these ideas might help you to better your grades:
Maths is a cumulative subject. If you have missed some instruction along the way or not grasped a particular topic in the chronological succession, then the chances are that you will battle with what comes next. Are there any particular topics that you don’t understand ? You could ask your teacher for guidance here. Alternatively, there are some diagnostic math assessments that could help to further define your areas of difficulty . School Psychologists or Education Consultants might be able to help with this.
Mathematics is a subject where ‘automaticity’ can help. ‘Automaticity’ refers to the ability to quickly, accurately and (almost!) automatically calculate basic number facts and remember required formulae. How well do you know those basic number facts (times tables, basic addition, etc)? The less time you spend calculating and processing information, the more time you have to apply your knowledge to a problem and demonstrate your comprehension of the mathematical concepts involved.
Maths is ’sequential’ by nature. Maths problems tend to have a sequence involved in arriving at the correct solution. This is great for us because it means we can approach maths problems in a methodical way by following the steps. Especially for ‘word problems’, the first step is to identify what the question is really asking. Break the question down into parts. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do to work out the answer?”, “What other information do I need to know if I am going to solve the problem?”, and “What steps do I need to take to get from here (the maths problem) to there (the maths solution)?”
Maths requires practice, practice, practice – and then some more practice! Rehearsal is essential to improve in mathematics . The more examples you try , the more competent you get. Also, the more example problems you try , the more probable it is that your areas of difficulty will become apparent to your teachers and they will then be able to provide assistance.
Always, and I mean always, show your working out. Maths is not only about the final solution . It is about the process involved in reaching the correct answer. Your teachers will want to see that you understand how to work out a particular problem. They want to know that you can apply the mathematical principles to get the right solution . Even if your final answer is incorrect you may get partial credit for following the correct processes.
Ask for help . Remember that your teachers are there to help you. Always listen and take notes during your lessons . Always ask your teachers for guidance on concepts that you do not understand. And listen to the questions asked by other students – often the answers will help to clear up your own difficulties. If you approach your teacher for help, it is a good idea to bring examples of the problems you have attempted so that the teacher can gain some insight into where you are going wrong.
Cure your Math Anxiety! Above any other subject, Maths can result in feelings of frustration, helplessness and hopelessness in students. I have heard time and again the comment, “I just don’t get it!” If you think you will never get better marks in Math , YOU NEVER WILL! Approach Maths classes with a positive attitude. Take some deep breaths and go in there thinking, “I am going to try my best today to understand the problems . I am going to ask questions. I am going to take a step towards improving my Math grades!” And then do it! Your best is all that anyone can ask from you. Just give it 100% and never give up. Perseverance is important in Maths – it may be that the very next time you try to understand a Maths problem is the time that you work out how to approach it successfully. So do not despair!
Try and use some of the above tips to improve your study skills in Math !
