One of the subjects that many students dread is mathematics. It’s considered one of the most problematic subjects because it often gives high levels of stress to students during exams and homework.
However, no matter how hard it is for you to understand math, there’s no way for you to avoid it because you encounter it daily. Aside from that, almost all courses would require at least a basic understanding of arithmetic and algebra.
Studying math can be complicated, but there are different ways to excel in it. If you always spend hours studying math and end up learning nothing, here are some effective and simple tips to make your studying more efficient:
1. Participate In Class Discussions
During lectures, make sure to take notes of important points so you can easily understand each method and formula. If you can’t keep up with the teacher’s lessons, classroom discussions are a perfect opportunity for you to ask questions to clarify confusing points. Since math is cumulative, you’ll get behind when you don’t understand a basic concept.
The class discussions are where new concepts or ideas are introduced; that’s why it’s important to always be active every time your teacher is lecturing. The way how your teacher explains formulas and procedure are more comprehensible than just reading your textbook.
Aside from textbooks, you can also find online math tutorial where you can learn straightforward solutions to various Math problems and formulas. Topics like finding the length of a triangle, finding the volume of a pyramid, and the Pythagorean Theorem, among others, are also explained simply in online tutorials.
2. Practice Consistently
Math is described as a hands-on subject. You can’t learn it just by reading. There’s no secret formula to becoming good at mathematics because it requires practice and consistency. Math is all about formulas and calculations. If you’re having problems with your math scores, it means that you need to exert effort through constant practicing.
Make sure that you have a good grasp of the subject matter. You won’t be able to practice by yourself if you can’t understand the main concept of what you’re studying. In practicing math problems, it’s important to think through the step-by-step process of how to come up with the correct solution. It isn’t enough to say that you know how to do it, but it’s important to know how to solve formulas in actuality and master the process.
3. Don’t Forget The Basics
It’s important to master basic math operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These basic operations are known as the foundation of mathematics because it would be difficult for you to learn advanced concepts if you don’t master them. You’ll have a better understanding of higher-level mathematics if you know the fundamentals.
Memorizing math concepts isn’t productive. This subject involves procedures, formulas, and equations that’s why memorizing won’t cut it. Instead, you should understand how each concept works so it’ll stay in your long-term memory. A good way to remember formulas and equations easily is through repetition. Therefore, practice is necessary—again.
4. Get Some Help
Aside from self-studying, you can hone your knowledge in math through the help of people who are more experienced. One of the disadvantages of classroom discussions is that teachers can only assess through examinations, quizzes, or homework. Not all students have the confidence to admit in class that they didn’t understand the lessons. In turn, this greatly affects their performance and by the time the teacher realizes, it’s often too late.
A way to help students cope with math lessons is through the assistance of math tutors. Tutors can tailor resources to cater to each student’s unique learning styles. Parents may need to spend extra cost to avail of these services, but it’s going to be worth it because tutors can focus on the student and address weak points.
Joining group studies can also help you study math more efficiently. With the help of friends and classmates, you can gain a better understanding of each topic and clear up confusion right away compared to studying alone. Joining a study group is a great alternative if hiring a tutor is not possible.
5. Review Mistakes
If you provided an incorrect solution to the problem, don’t be discouraged in figuring out where you made a mistake in the process. The best way to excel in math is to identify the concepts or areas of struggle then find time to apply different methods on how to come up with the right solution.
When you review your mistakes during a test or assessment, it’s less likely that you’ll make the same mistakes again. There are three kinds of mistakes in math: careless errors, computational errors, and conceptual errors. No matter what kind of mistake you’ve made, it’s essential to go back to it and review what went wrong.
6. Create a Distraction-Free Study Environment
In order for you to study math efficiently, you should be in a distraction-free environment. This subject needs full attentiveness and requires concentration for you to be able to solve complex equations. In the classroom setting, position yourself in a comfortable area where you can easily see what’s on the board and hear the lecture of your teacher clearly.
Each student has a unique learning style. Some can study efficiently when they hear music, while some can easily concentrate when they don’t hear any noise. Allot a convenient time for you to study. During your study time, it would help if you’ll clear your table from possible distractions like cellphones and tablets so as not to interrupt your concentration.
Final Thoughts
You may not realize it, but everyone uses math every day. While you’re still studying, it’s important to take math seriously because it can be applied in various industries and day-to-day living.
To study math efficiently, it’s important to participate in class discussions, practice equations consistently, know the basic operations by heart, and review mistakes constantly. It’s also beneficial if you study in a distraction-free environment and get help from someone who is more knowledgeable.
