Most people either love or hate maths and if you’re one of those who spends maths lessons wondering when, if ever, you will need algebra or differential equations instead of learning how to do the exercises, you’re not alone.
The truth is, you might never need them. But having solid mathematical knowledge is a useful and necessary skill to have, especially during your high school years. With a little practical support, you can go farther than you think.
Here are some tips on how to survive maths:
- Keep an open mind: Before you walk into class thinking it will be the longest hour of your life, psych yourself up. Tell yourself you’re going to learn something new; that you’re actually going to get it and it’s going to be simple once you do. Maths is all about logic; once you understand what it is you’re actually doing, it makes sense.
- Learn why: Ask your teacher why it is that you are using this or that certain formula and what the effect is. If you understand what it is that you’re actually doing, rather than just knowing that a formula goes here or there, it will make sense and appear to be simple to do and understand.
- Find a connection: Whatever you’re doing in maths, there will often be a connection to something you do in real life. This will help keep it relevant and more interesting. If you can’t find one, ask your teacher to help you.
- Ask your teacher for help: It may sound obvious, but some students will decide not to do something if they don’t get it. Don’t give up; give maths a chance to win you over by asking your teacher to explain the process in a simpler way. Break the steps up and look at it more closely.
- Revise: Maths can be tricky and even once you get it, if you go home and never look at it again until the night before the exam, you might not remember how you made sense of it in the first place. Keep new things learned fresh in your mind by revising on a weekly basis; just a half hour to refresh new concepts can go a long way!Maths may seem like the enemy, especially when you look at it with a closed mind. Turn the tables around and it can make a world of difference!