Mathematics is a compulsory subject for students to take from primary to tertiary education. This is because it serves as a gateway to many courses in University, such as statistics, accounting, engineering and more.
Many students often experience frustration and stress when they study and prepare for Mathematics exam, but it doesn’t always have to be so. Studying Mathematics is indeed tough, but not impossible as long as students are willing to put in the hard work.
Here are some tips to make studying for Mathematics a little less frustrating:
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1. Understanding The Concepts
Mathematics is a subject that you cannot expect to score through memory work. It is essential to understand that it is a conceptual subject and you do need to understand the basics and foundation before you can progress to the more advanced concepts.
If you do not understand the concepts, you wouldn’t be able to apply what you have learnt to solve problems as Mathematics questions often require you to think using the concepts that you have understood. Having a solid foundation of the subject will help to reduce confusion and you would be able to solve more complex problems efficiently.
2. Finish Your Homework
Homework is very important for understanding Mathematics, as students would be able to apply what they’ve just learnt in class. It is best not to procrastinate on your homework as you do want to complete them when the concepts are still fresh in your mind.
When you complete your homework and assignments after each class, you will realise that mastering the concepts and identifying the problem areas is made easier and solving complex problems wouldn’t be an issue.
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3. Ask For Help
More often than not, students tend to shy away from asking questions in a traditional classroom setting due to their fear of inferiority compared to their classmates.
It is important that students devoid of judgment and peer pressure, and be confident to ask for help when needed. Having your doubts snowball would only cause you more frustrations and stress later as Mathematics concepts are often linked.
Once you clarify the doubts that you have, you would be able to move on to the next concept and realise that you are able to understand better because of the good foundation that you have built from the previous concepts.
4. Practice, Practice, & More Practice
Mathematics is all about practice. One of the most important and effective ways to ensure students do well in Mathematics is for them to actively practice the subject as frequently as possible.
By practising and encountering many Mathematics questions, you would be more exposed to the different kinds of questions that can be tested using the concepts that you have learnt.
Practicing and solving math problems, even when the questions are similar, is key because it helps the student to use their critical thinking skills and transition problem-solving skills from the conscious to the subconscious mind.
This method of learning helps to train the brain to quickly identify the problem areas of a question and find a solution to it. It also helps you to develop an affinity for the subject when you are able to find the correct solutions to the problems. With regular and diligent practice, anyone can ace Mathematics.
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5. Hire A Tutor
Mathematics is a subject that requires an investment of time and it is important to fully understand the concepts behind the subject. In a traditional classroom setting, it might be difficult for you to voice your questions and clarify your doubts, causing you to feel disengaged with the subject and helpless with your homework and exams.
Hiring a Mathematics Tutor will not only allow you to have someone to practise the above tips with, but also help you to understand the concepts better. Tutors are definitely more experienced in the subject than you are, and they will be able to give you accurate advice on what are the important concepts to take note of, which would make learning easier and more enjoyable.
This article has been written by AceTutors for theAsianparent.
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