We all have our favorite subjects to learn about growing up. When we were younger, it usually related to things that fascinated us and made us go “WOW, THAT’S SO COOL!” and it ended up being something like sciences or languages or even art.
There was always one subject that most students dreaded learning: Math. Numbers and arithmetic are confusing and cold and difficult to learn. You are not alone in this way of thinking.
Of course, there are several others who actually do enjoy math and how it really works. They take pride in knowing how to solve equations quickly or how to reveal a certain set of data points. If there’s one thing that’s true about people who have an affinity for math, it’s that they just think a bit different, just like anyone else does about any subject.
But as most schools require math, as much as they require language, history and sciences, you’ll have to study them at some length anyway. As you make your way through life, you’ll notice that the other subjects don’t really get involved in your day to day life, other than math.
So, how can I begin to enjoy studying math?
The most important thing about wanting to learn something, especially a subject you don’t enjoy, is to change the way you think about it.There are several aspects to subjects learned in school, like practicality, interest, even careers. Math is a subject that at first glance doesn’t seem too appealing but you’ll have to look again to see another side to all of this.
You may think Math skills are inherent and born with, but actually it’s something that you learn to enjoy. The difference is that some people take longer to learn and understand than others, but the common theme among this is that you are eager to understand and in the end, no matter how long, you have grown. Your mindset is extremely important when learning just about anything, without it, you will have a hard time learning.
But I’m really bad at math!
Almost everyone is bad at something when they begin learning. That is, in essence, the idea of education and learning. You’re supposed to improve your skills, so you’re not bad at it anymore. With math, there are certain ways that you can learn at your own pace and build upon your skills to advanced level things like calculus and trigonometry.
Here’s some helpful tips to help you get into math:
○ Master the Fundamentals
If you think about professional sports, the most important thing for athletes is to remember the fundamentals, and everything else will follow. The same applies to learning math, as math is sequential and cumulative. Mental math, PEMDAS, proofs, and other functions are helpful for solving complex equations. Once you get a grip of this, everything else will fall into place and be much easier to comprehend. Learning the basics is like building blocks to the house of success.
○ Practice Makes Perfect
Just like any good skill, practicing your math will indefinitely improve the way you learn and look at arithmetic. Focus on the fundamentals, mental math, and formulas and repeat repeat repeat. The homework your teachers give you is also important for practice, as it allows you to explore math equations at your own pace and take it step-by-step.
You don’t expect to master math concepts in one day, so build it up brick by brick and before you know it, you’ll be a master of math!
○ Learn from your mistakes
One major deterrent from math is the amount of mistakes you’ll be making. Around every formula and every equation is a mistake that can derail your entire solution. But there is beauty in the mistakes. In math, you can take a look at each step and find out where exactly you went wrong, and take it from there. These are how some proofs are made in math, to check your work and to see if everything works out in the end.
That’s the beauty of something as logical and rational as math, you can take what you’ve done and turn it into a learning experience.
○ Don’t Miss Class
One overlooked aspect of school and university is that classes are important. Of course, you won’t learn from osmosis and sitting in class, but if you pay attention and take notes and ask questions, you’ll be better off. As boring as it may be, you can even just record the lesson, so you can review it later in your own free time.
If you have to miss class, make sure you get the notes from a classmate or the professor, and let the teacher or professor know so they don’t think you’re cutting classes!
○ Ask for Help
Most people view asking for help a sign of weakness. Well, that idea is outdated and totally incorrect. Asking for help is the right thing to do whenever you’re stuck, and when studying math, you’re bound to get stuck. Asking your professor or teacher is the first person you should ask, as they know the most about what you’re learning. They can guide you in the right direction.
You can turn to your classmates as well, asking them may prove to be beneficial because they’re usually in the same boat as you.
○ Use your Resources
Although classwork and homework are great teachers, you have a plethora of resources at your disposal for help with your math. The internet is a treasure chest of things that you can use, such as forums, podcasts, videos and other things that can cater to your learning needs. There are also several websites that offer to help you with your math homework.
Hiring tutors is a very common thing nowadays when we’re crunched for time. Places like Assignment Expert have the most experienced tutors to help you study or complete your homework assignments. They can take you step-by-step through equations and solutions for all your math needs.
There are several ways to make math easy to learn and understand, the important thing is that you can find out what works for you. Math isn’t just a cold-hearted subject that leaves you feeling helpless. As soon as you find your passion for math, you’ll be going to your class with eager eyes!
