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Home > SLC > Student Resources > Math Anxiety > Overcoming Math Anxiety
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Ways to overcome Math Anxiety
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Math Anxiety is not a terminal disease, nor does it mean that you are mentally incapable of working with math. There are several ways that you can either overcome or reduce your Math Anxiety.
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Developing good math study habits.
Meet instructors before actually signing up for the class. Compare your learning style to their instructional styles.
Make sure you attend every math class
If you miss a class, ask your instructor for permission to attend another section of the same course.
Read ahead in the text book -- the main tool you have for learning the material. You need to be able to read the text and understand what you have read. To improve understanding and learning, recite the concepts and take notes on the steps for solving problems.
For each chapter, prepare your own list of vocabulary words, make an informal outline, and prepare questions for the instructor.
Use a good note-taking system.
`Copy all information written on the board.
`Repeat mentally each step and try to solve the problems.
`Make note cards to remind yourself about the ways of solving the various math problems.
Schedule a regular, consistent study time. Schedule time immediately after your math classes if possible, or choose a time when you are most alert and least likely to be distracted. Have a distinct starting and stopping time and try to stick to it.
Choose a suitable and consistent place in which you study. Whether it is the library, a desk in your bedroom, or the kitchen table. Find a well-light place with minimal distractions where you are likely to remain alert.
Prepare to study by having all materials (sharpened pencils, paper, calculator, textbook, etc.) handy.
Maximize study time by eliminating the need to get up and down while studying. Turn off the phone and work away from the computer unless it is needed.
Choose students who are disciplined and motivated and form a study group. Have a study partner that you can call for help.
Take breaks when needed. If you have been studying for thirty minutes or longer, get up and stretch; or perhaps get some fresh air. If you are frustrated by a concept, walk away for a few minutes and then return to the material.
Get help early in the semester. Schedule time to visit the Math Lab on a regular basis and take full advantages of all the helpful resources available.
~Jot down the times of review seminars, problem solving sessions, and SI sessions.
~Make a note of any resources available for your course such as computer tutorials, CD's, and video tapes; then use them!
~For difficult topics, schedule tutoring appointments or watch the video tapes before attending class.
Do math every day. Keep a challenging math problem in mind while you commute or before you go to bed. A great deal of positive energy is generated whenever you 'solve' a math problem.
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Forming better homework strategies.
- Know your textbook! Before you begin the first homework assigsurvey your text. Make note of nment, the way in which new concepts are indicated (colors, boxes, etc.), where helpful information can be found (appendices, chapter summaries, etc.), how steps are shown in problems, and other helpful features of the text.
- For each section of assigned problems, read the read the directions!
- Prepare before you start.
~Define and label the objectives, concepts, and formulas that will be used in the assignment.
~Identify examples from the chapter that correspond to each set of assigned problems.
~Review class notes and examples
- Warm-up with a problem that you can do successfully.
- Do the homework!
~Be neat. Leave spaces between the lines for clarity and corrections.
~Show all work. Be sure that others can follow your steps. Showing all steps and work is especially important if you 'get stuck' and need to get help.
~Keep note cards and use them to write down any and all formulas or procedures. Keep these note cards with you for quick study whenever you have a few moments. Retain your note cards and add to them in future math classes.
~Keep a list of problems or concepts that you find difficult or confusing. See a tutor in the Math Lab and get help.
- Review your completed assignment.
~Check your work.
~Restate the objectives and be sure you understand the main concepts in this assignment.
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Forming better test taking strategies.
Don't cram the night before a test. Give yourself adequate time to prepare. Develop and take practice tests. Time yourself while taking them.
Learn how to relax before the test. To relieve stress, use relaxation techniques such as breathing and exercise. Avoid any negative self-talk. A positive mental attitude can reduce anxiety.
Memory data dump: Before taking the test, write down information you may forget, such as formulas, rules, properties, etc. (for example, to recall the order of operations, you may write P-E-M-D-A-S, or Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally).
Preview the test. Review the entire test. Be sure to mark any questions that can be answered easily or that may be worth some points.
Second memory data dump: Write down any additional information.
Be aware of the time allotted for the test. Schedule your test progress. Before beginning the test, determine a strategy to get the most points in the least amount of time.
Answer easy questions first! Answer all of the questions you marked during the test preview. Save time for the harder questions.
Don't spend too much time on one problem. If you 'get stuck' on a question, skip it and go on to the next problem. Steps used to solve other problems may help you recall how to solve the more difficult ones.
Save the harder problems for last. Read difficult questions twice and set a time limit for solving them. Go onto other problems if you cannot solve the questions in the time allotted.
Review skipped questions. Try to remember and write related information in order to solve difficult problems.
Guess at any remaining questions. Never leave a question blank. Try to do something to earn at least partial credit even if it is just copying the problem and writing down the first step.
Review the entire test upon completion. Look for misread directions or careless errors. If you think you have solved a problem incorrectly, rework it again. Then compare the new answer to the one you previously obtained.
Use all of the time allotted for the test. Finishing early usually costs points due to careless mistakes.
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Forming better problem solving skills.
Getting Started - State the problem
~State the problem in your own words
~What must be done?
~What kind of answer(s) do you expect to get?
Strategies
~What are the different ways in which this problem can be solved?
~What strategies do you plan to use?
~Why is the strategy you have chosen the best approach for you?
Results
~State the best answer to the problem.
~Did you think you would get a different answer than when you started?
~How do you know your answer is correct?
| Different ways to solve problems: |
- Trial and Error
- Guess and Check
- Make a Model
- Generalize
- Make a Diagram or Draw a Figure
- Use an Auxiliary Element
- Look for a Pattern
- Work Backwards
- Solve a similar (analogous), but simpler problem.
- Use a Computer
- Seek a Resource
- Use a Counter-Example
- Make an Organized List
- Write and Equation or Use a Formula
| | Problem Solving Process: |
- Describe any stumbling blocks along the way
- Describe what you were thinking as you were solving the problem.
- Where did frustrating moments occur?
- Where did the 'Aha!' moments occur?
- Were there any times you wanted to give up?
| | Look Back - Problem Reflection |
- Was the problem too easy? Too hard or just right? Why?
- Have you done a problem like this before?
- What if conditions were different? How would your answer change?
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