Learning

HOW TO DO BETTER IN MATHS

by Aniekan
5 min read
HOW TO DO BETTER IN MATHS

Of all the subjects that give students sleepless night, mathematics stand out. Students, parents, and guardians continue to seek solutions to the challenges posed by mathematics. Those who surmount these challenges are highly regarded among their peers and the society at large. In fact, in terms of job placements, in many schools/establishments, mathematics experts are some of the best-paid staff. A large number of national and international competitions sponsored by either the government or the private sector are geared towards raising more young people and scholars proficient in the field of mathematics. This article provides useful guidelines for better performance in mathematics.

Have a positive mindset towards maths.

Most students do not perform well in maths because they have believed or been made to believe that maths is the most difficult subject on the planet. This idea must be erased from your mind if you must succeed as a maths student. It may interest you to know that if you are properly taught and if you play your role as a student, maths is about one of the simple subjects you can ever think of. If you think of maths as being easy, it will be so for you. Your mindset is key.

Attendance and punctuality

As a maths student, your number priority must be to be present and punctual to classes. Maths is not one of the subjects that you merely “read up”. It needs explanations and illustrations. As a student, you need to be guided by a teacher. So, you must avoid whatever may keep you out of your maths classes. Going late is not an option, either. This is important because the topics in maths occur in a cumulative manner, that is, one principle sheds light on the other. If you miss out on the explanation of a principle or formula, it will affect your understanding of subsequent ones.

Have your multiplication table at your fingertips.

The first thing to do, as one who wants to get better in maths, is to master your multiplication table. This is the foundation of most aspects of general maths taught in schools. Memorise your multiplication table and keep practising it for mastery.

Practise and do your assignments.

It is commonly said that practice makes perfect. The greatest maths pros did not wake up to their current status. They kept practising day and night. A major strategy to achieve mastery is the giving of assignments or homework. When teachers assign mathematical tasks to students, it is meant to make them perform better and attain mastery. So, do your homework faithfully. Apart from the formal assignment given, attempt mathematical problems in your textbooks. The more your solve, the better you become.

Get study mates

Sometimes, our peers’ explanations are the breakthrough we need in our drive to comprehend a troubling concept. Besides, we do not have the same speed of comprehension. It is, therefore, wise to befriend and associate with those who find it quite easy to comprehend mathematical problems. We can depend on their guidance and explanations. This kind of relationship can also strengthen you whenever you feel discouraged by a knotty task. Again, solving problems in the company of other students, especially outside school hours, will boost your confidence and performance levels in the subject.

Maintain an amiable relationship with your maths tutor.

It is said that one way of doing well in a subject is by loving the teacher or having a cordial relationship with the teacher. To do well in maths, you must feel free to approach your tutor to ask questions and seek clarification whenever the need arises. Harbouring any form of religious, racial, ethnic or class prejudice against your math tutor will hinder your performance in the subject. Moreover, most teachers are easily inclined to helping students with whom they share a warm relationship.

Be patient with yourself.

Getting into a maths class with a perfectionist mentality has its merits and its demerits. As a demerit, it makes you erroneously assume that making a mistake or failing an exercise is the end of the world. Always recognise that mistakes and failures are part of human existence. This is not in any way tolerating unnecessary failures and blunders. But when you fail in the process of learning, consider it as a stepping stone to success. Note the reasons for your failure and always review them. Take your concerns to your tutor and your study mates. Your discussion with them will throw more light on what you did not do well. Work on their recommendations until you overcome the initial error. Consider your maths failures as lessons on how not to solve a problem. Rise from your failure and continue to practise.

Be humble and always ask questions.

Pride is one of the major hindrances to success in mathematics. Many students do not want to appear stupid and academically weak before their peers. They want to always be seen as perfect, wise, and successful people. Hence, even in their greatest moments of need, they will never ask for help. Such people could be totally lost in a maths class and refuse to ask for help. That will not make you any better. Always ask for help. Always ask questions. In fact, frequently asking questions is a way to prove to your maths tutor that you are interested in the subject. He will give you more attention. The more you ask questions, the more you build your capacity for becoming a solution provider in the nearest future.

Maximise available tech Instead of downloading non-educational games, why don’t you download some maths games? There are online and offline games that will help you get better at maths. Use them.

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