The subject of Mathematics is the devil in subject form for many students. Maybe it is for you too. Learning it is always complicated, but by following the tips I’ll share with you below, you can make studying math a little easier.
The 10 tips for studying math are: paying attention in class, clarifying basic concepts, studying the theory, practicing frequently, focusing as much as possible while studying, and keeping up with the material. Additionally, having an organized approach to solving exercise guides, always starting with the easiest ones. Finally, studying in a group and asking questions in class can be really helpful.
Why Is Math So Hard for Students?
Have you ever stopped to think about why math is so difficult?
Firstly, math is full of abstract concepts that can be hard to visualize. This means you need to put in some serious brainpower to understand and remember the information.
Second, the way math is taught has always been a hot topic. In school, it’s often explained in a way that makes it even harder to grasp.
Finally, it’s important to remember that this isn’t the case for everyone. Even though math is one of the most dreaded subjects, some students actually don’t struggle with it at all. In other words, while many find it tough, a small group finds it pretty easy.
So, if you’re on the side that struggles with math concepts, the tips below will definitely help you out!
10 Tips for Studying Math
1. Pay Attention in Class
When your teacher explains math, they’re trying to convey abstract concepts. That’s why your concentration needs to be at its peak—these are some of the toughest topics to grasp.
Be careful, though. Paying attention isn’t just about staring at the front and silently listening to your teacher’s words. It’s about actually understanding what they’re trying to explain.
Try not to talk while these concepts are being explained. If a classmate keeps chatting or distracting you, politely ask them to keep quiet. Avoid all distractions—the smallest one can make you lose track of the lesson.
2. Practice Often
The best way to get better at math is to solve a ton of problems. And when I say a ton, I don’t mean three or four—I’m talking twenty, thirty, or even more.
Some math problems can be solved mechanically. These are the ones you should practice the most. But don’t ignore the others—the ones that require more analytical thinking.
One way or another, you need to spend hours in your study space working through exercises. It’s the only way to truly absorb the material.
3. Focus Completely When Studying Math
Studying math is nothing like studying history. You can read history texts like a novel or a newspaper, but mathematical notation needs to be read much more slowly—there’s no rushing through it.
Remember, the goal isn’t to just get through the material—it’s to actually understand it. And if that takes more time, so be it. If something doesn’t make sense, go back to the beginning and start over.
4. Study the Theory
This is where a lot of students go wrong. They read the theory and try to absorb it while solving exercises. But often, when you’re learning axioms or theorems, you really need to study and memorize them first.
Try doing this next time you study math, and you’ll be amazed at how much quicker you solve the exercises.
5. Keep Up with the Material
More than with any other subject, if you fall behind in math, it’s likely that you won’t be able to understand anything after that. To avoid this major problem, it’s better to spend a little time on the subject every day. Well, let’s be honest, that “little time” often ends up being a few hours.
I recommend checking out the article: 8 Tips to Stay on Top of Your Subjects.
6. Start by Solving the Easiest Problems
It’s always a good idea to tackle the simpler problems first, no matter how easy they might seem. Textbooks usually include detailed examples, and you can use those to kick off your exercise series.
7. Keep an Organized Approach to Solving Exercise Guides
At Mentes Liberadas, we’ve already covered a method for doing this in the article Tips for Tackling an Exercise Guide. Follow each of those steps—they’ll be super helpful when studying subjects like Math.
8. Ask Questions in Class
Math textbooks can be pretty cold and rigid. Often, you’ll find that the notation in the book doesn’t match what you were taught in class.
So, don’t wait. It’s better to ask your teachers about any doubts you have—they’ll be able to explain the topic more easily and can answer your questions directly, something a book will never do.
9. Study in a Group
It might not be as interactive as when you study a social science subject where everyone has to contribute, but it can still be super helpful.
One member of the group might explain things just as well, or even better than a teacher. But of course, you need to keep some order and silence during the study session to ensure everyone stays focused.
10. Review the Basics
Some students come with a weak foundation in math from elementary or high school, making it impossible to grasp more difficult concepts. If that’s your case, don’t be embarrassed to pick up a beginner’s manual and review the topics again.
Online Math Classes and Courses
If you need an explanation on any topic, I recommend checking out YouTube. There are specialized channels with teachers who explain things really well.
If you don’t have much time and prefer a more complete, organized, and higher-quality course, Udemy has several courses that can help you. All of them are video-based with explanations from teachers.
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