9 Ways to Put an End to Math Anxiety

It will be fair to say math is not really a favourite subject for most students. Math anxiety or math phobia can create insecurities that can go worse with more passing time. Anxiety rising through your vein when repeatedly coming up with the wrong answer is very real. It will not be easy to shift the mindset of failure to a more positive outlook, but it is not IMPOSSIBLE. Math is going to e a constant companion to your adulthood even f you do not choose math as a major subject. So I will suggest not making math a lifelong issue.

When facing your fear remembering the wise words of Jilian Michaels, “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway." is a great way to start. Children mostly grow with such anxieties either for not having their basic concepts clear or for having a too strict teacher who refused to explain another time. However, we need to accept that maths is not an easy subject to grasp compared to other subjects. It depends on how quickly you understand the reasons behind each step in the calculation and, of course, how much you practice it.

I give you 9 ways you can try to overcome your math anxiety.

1. Acknowledge the problem

Admitting the problem is the first step to overcoming it. Having a fear of math does not make you less capable than any other students. But not dealing with the problem will negatively affect your life. Take out your exercise book where you practice or solve math problems and look closely at where you tend to be making mistakes or where you usually get stuck. Note them down, and share your problem areas with your tutor or math school teacher. They will guide you and suggest a simpler way of solving those problems or help you understand the concept better.

2. Go for group learning

Solo studies can be great, but group learning lets like-minded students come together, and the excitement level gets increased. You will be surprised to see how much more you have learned than you could in a classroom. Even while explaining a concept or showing the process to solve a certain problem, you will also get clarity in a lot of the methods.

3. Apply maths in daily life

Math, when put into real life, can become more real and meaningful.   From getting your groceries and checking the balance to learning the concept of fractions through slicing pizza slices, you can make math come out of your textbook. When cooking, measuring the portions of ingredients of the recipe also helps you get a practical understanding of measurement. You can also use geometrical properties when painting on walls or on paper is also a great hands-on activity. Learning multiplication or division with chocolates, crayons and other favourite staff is more fun and motivating than the bookish knowledge.

4. Take one step at a time

You need to understand this is a long process which will take time. You cannot magically master it in just a few days. But do not let a lack of confidence cripple you. When facing 20 questions at once, it can get overwhelming. Do you try to finish reading books in one go? So do not do it here also. If you are stuck with any mathematical problem and unsure how to solve it, just skip it and come back to it later. Instead, start working on simpler mathematical problems. Once you find yourself being comfortable and gaining confidence, you can move on to the next level. But make sure always to take one step at a time. Slow and steady always wins the race. So have patience and be consistent with your learning, and you will surely see the result.

5. Practice more

Practising can help you even from being the student who always had the lowest grade in maths subject to the student who conquered and became the top scorer in mathematics. It does not matter how weak you are in mathematics but make sure to solve different math problems continuously. The more you work on it, the better you are going to get at it. Practising more and more will give you a basic idea of what type of math problems to expect from a certain chapter. If you are stuck somewhere, consider taking the help of a professional  math problem solver. 

6. Create a proper learning environment 

Students need to be reminded that math skills must be at an individual pace. Pick a study environment that suits your Zen-like mood. TV or the internet should be completely off-limits during this period. You want background music or soft pillows. Make sure to have comfortable seating, and the room should be well-lit. Avoid solving your math on a bed, as it's more like it makes you feel sleepy.

 7. Stop comparing yourself with your classmates

As I mentioned in the last tip, everyone learns at their pace. What works for them might not work for you. You might need a different learning technique to master the mathematical concepts. You should not compare yourself with others as it will only discourage you, and it is completely pointless. Instead, you need to start finding the right technique and work on yourself. 

8. Try your hands on games and puzzles

Games like Yahtzee can teach you probability, recognition and strategy. On the other hand, games like mancala and Battleship can enhance your logical thinking skills. Puzzles like magic squares teach pattern recognition and logical thinking. It also beautifully reinforces calculation skills and gives you a glimpse of some of the most interesting relationships between numbers.

9. Take breaks in between your math practice

Working on math problems for 4-5 hours straight will not help with the treatment putting an end to the fear. Instead, you might get more anxious and feel more frustrated. Taking a short break between 1 and 2 hours is recommended to keep your sanity. You can cook something, take a walk, read a few pages of your favourite food or eat something. 

SUMMING UP, 

Every fear needs to end one day. How long are you planning to live with your fear of math? Don’t let it control you by underestimating yourself. With proper willpower and confidence, you can overcome math anxiety easily. But you need to give it time and have patience. Trust yourself and trust the tips, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. You can also ask the experts to do my home work .

AUTHOR BIO: Janice Potter is a maths professor at one of the most reputed colleges in the USA. He is also known as one of the most qualified and finest math problem solvers on Tophomeworkhelper.com.