Question : To be very honest with you. I’m lacking in mathematics. It’s a kind of subject which frightens me the most. Whenever my exams are approaching. I’m particularly afraid of this subject. I always try to study hard and to make most of it. But whenever I see the question paper, I am petrified and due to nervousness. I almost end ruining my maths exams. And as a result, I score badly. So, I need your assistance regarding this matter.’Teentalker
Dear Teentalker,
Thanks for sharing your concern.
A lot of students experience math anxiety when faced with a math course. The fear you may have with math might not actually be due to math, but with test-taking in general. Although this reaction emerges in your math class or on a test, it might not be caused by math itself. Remember, math is just another general education course. You don’t need to be intimidated or dread the math class you need as a prerequisite.
Mathematics has been the foundation of many of our scientific and technological discoveries. In fact, there is even a phobia dealing with this subject! ‘Mathophobia’ can be defined as a feeling of fear, tension, and anxiety about one’s ability to do Maths and thus, interferes with one’s performance in Maths. Here are seven steps to help overcome a fear of math:
1. A positive mindset: A positive attitude makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking. With a positive attitude, you see the bright side of life, become optimistic about your future and expect the best.
2. Ask questions: When taking math classes, it is important to take advantage of the faculty you have at your fingertips. Ask for clear illustrations, demonstrations and/or simulations of the content and stay on it until you feel comfortable moving on.
3. Keep practicing: Math is made up of rules, processes, and procedures. When a bit of practice is done every day, the processes become very clear. We must add the right ingredients at just the right time and in the right order.
4. Work with a tutor or a teacher: Work with a tutor or other students that understand the course content when you are struggling or when complete understanding escapes you.
5. Don’t do rote learning: To make sure you really understand the procedures and feel comfortable solving certain math problems, you need to practice doing them. Once you believe you understand the concept, do another problem.
Hope this helps, if you have any other query do connect online for chat between 11am-8pm or drop us an offline message.