How to Be an Expert in Math
Vacation study., Concentration., Take notes., Clarify your doubts., Don't fall behind in class., Get a study partner., Make a routine of studying at a certain time., Find an after-school tutor., Stay calm., Make up any work you may have missed or...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Vacation study.
Vacation is a time to enjoy, really.
But if you plan on improving your math, some changes are necessary.
Along with enjoyment, find some time (at least 2 hours) to review your previous lessons.
If you have any doubts, clear it immediately with the help of your elders or friends (you may also take the help of the Internet).
If you're done with your review, take a break for 1-2 days (don't be too happy, there is more to it).
By the end of the vacation you would have improved (at least a little) and will be ready for school. -
Step 2: Concentration.
- This is the most important part that you should take care of while dealing with math.
Be careful and don't let your mind wander in class.
During class hours, clear your mind and only concentrate on the topic.
Don't get distracted in any manner (or else you'll lose your concentration).
If your friends are too distracting find another good spot which is comparatively silent.
Tell your friends to talk some other time if they invite to talk with you. , In class, have a special notebook for Math.
Note down all the important Mathematical ideas which have been discussed in class (and understand them).
It would be great to write down every word your teacher said, but that is virtually impossible.
Take special care to ensure that your notes are legible and understandable, but try to write quickly, leaving out short, meaningless words.
If your teacher is nice enough to point out what specifically will be on the test, use that to your advantage.
Write it down, and leave a symbol (like a star, exclamation mark, etc.) near it if necessary. , Doubts should be cleared immediately if you have any.
But try not to disturb the class or the teacher while clarifying your doubts. , In Math, especially in algebra, the lessons build on top of one another, so that if you sleep through September, you might be in real trouble when October comes.
Try to be disciplined about doing your Math homework, and pay attention in class.
If you make a habit of these things, the class will seem generally easier. , Find someone in the class who cares as much about doing well in the class as you do.
Make a habit of getting together to do your homework, or talking about the homework on the phone.
Math can seem less scary when you don't have to do it alone.
In fact, when you and a friend are working together to solve problems, it can be kind of fun. , Find a certain time everyday when you can study.
It might only be 30 minutes, but if you can say "I'll study every day at 4:30," it'll make a huge difference.
People don't like to change, but if you can make it a habit of studying at your time in your special study place, it will be easier to sit down and work. , This can be a paid tutor, or any of your friends.
Don't wait until you are getting failing in grades to find a tutor, but find one at the first sign of trouble.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of any available help. , Many people suffer from "Math anxiety," where just thinking about math, gets them feeling less confident and more nervous.
This makes them put off studying and homework until it is too late.
Don't let the Math scare you, or make you feel bad.
Math can be hard to learn, but you can do it. , Whether or not  your teacher asks you to redo that homework assignment you forgot about (I know
- your dog ate it), there is no substitute for actually doing the work.
You certainly won't pass the quiz on Tuesday's material if you don't understand Monday's lecture because you were busy Friday night.
Doing old tests and homework may also serve as a good review prior to a big test! Also, keep in mind that old tests and exams can help you get better at math. , If you do, go back and do the work yourself until you understand it.
It may look great if you get a 95% on that quiz, but you're still going to bomb the next test.
Sure it's an old method, but the only person you hurt by cheating is yourself. , Make sure that you know what will be on each test, and practice those kinds of problems.
Ask your teacher for a sample test.
Study for the tests with your "study buddy." Get a good night's sleep before each test, too. , Try studying a little bit every night until the test.
If you try to study the night before, you probably will forget everything and be tired and unprepared.
The best idea is to just review key ideas and such the day before and morning of. , Math is not like other subjects such as English and Science or other languages.
It isn't a subject to be by hearted, it needs practice.
Practice Math daily for an hour.
Concentrate and pay attention on what you are doing and understand what Math really is. , Calculators should be used only to check your answers.
If you use calculators, it isn't your brain that is thinking to do the problem, the calculator is doing the whole job.
If you use a calculator, it is hard to become good at Math.
Use calculators only to check your answers.
Unless it is geometry, like finding the angle of a triangle or finding the root of a large number. , Do them right after your class or right after school when the lesson is still fresh in your mind.
They are a great way to practice Math. , Multiplication tables are very important during higher classes.
It is better to learn them by heart at an early age at least 1-11 tables.
It must be told even when you are asleep. , Formulae are really important during some lessons.
If you forget it, the whole lesson might be of no use.
So it is important to learn formulae through practicing and not by heart.
Don't just learn the formulae, but conceptually understand why the formulae work. , Understand what each lesson is trying to tell you about.
Algebra consists of only using Mathematical language to find a number.
Negative numbers are just below zero and need a minus sign.
Geometry is just to draw some figures.
All these are just simple.
Learn each lesson completely without any doubt.
See that you know and understand everything. , Try to learn math through various Math games and activities with friends and companions.
You might see that this is an interesting and fun way to learn Math.
And there are various websites that offer free Math games and activities too.
Try them out. , Math is fun and interesting of all the other subjects, and one of the important ones, too. -
Step 3: Take notes.
-
Step 4: Clarify your doubts.
-
Step 5: Don't fall behind in class.
-
Step 6: Get a study partner.
-
Step 7: Make a routine of studying at a certain time.
-
Step 8: Find an after-school tutor.
-
Step 9: Stay calm.
-
Step 10: Make up any work you may have missed or failed miserably.
-
Step 11: Don't cheat.
-
Step 12: Prepare for tests.
-
Step 13: Don't wait until the last minute.
-
Step 14: Math isn't as hard as you think.
-
Step 15: Don't use calculators to do Math homework.
-
Step 16: Always do your homework on time.
-
Step 17: Learn your tables at an early age by heart.
-
Step 18: Learn and remember formulae.
-
Step 19: Math might be easy if you understand what it really is.
-
Step 20: Math is fun through Math games and activities.
-
Step 21: Take it easy and learn it easy.
Detailed Guide
Vacation is a time to enjoy, really.
But if you plan on improving your math, some changes are necessary.
Along with enjoyment, find some time (at least 2 hours) to review your previous lessons.
If you have any doubts, clear it immediately with the help of your elders or friends (you may also take the help of the Internet).
If you're done with your review, take a break for 1-2 days (don't be too happy, there is more to it).
By the end of the vacation you would have improved (at least a little) and will be ready for school.
- This is the most important part that you should take care of while dealing with math.
Be careful and don't let your mind wander in class.
During class hours, clear your mind and only concentrate on the topic.
Don't get distracted in any manner (or else you'll lose your concentration).
If your friends are too distracting find another good spot which is comparatively silent.
Tell your friends to talk some other time if they invite to talk with you. , In class, have a special notebook for Math.
Note down all the important Mathematical ideas which have been discussed in class (and understand them).
It would be great to write down every word your teacher said, but that is virtually impossible.
Take special care to ensure that your notes are legible and understandable, but try to write quickly, leaving out short, meaningless words.
If your teacher is nice enough to point out what specifically will be on the test, use that to your advantage.
Write it down, and leave a symbol (like a star, exclamation mark, etc.) near it if necessary. , Doubts should be cleared immediately if you have any.
But try not to disturb the class or the teacher while clarifying your doubts. , In Math, especially in algebra, the lessons build on top of one another, so that if you sleep through September, you might be in real trouble when October comes.
Try to be disciplined about doing your Math homework, and pay attention in class.
If you make a habit of these things, the class will seem generally easier. , Find someone in the class who cares as much about doing well in the class as you do.
Make a habit of getting together to do your homework, or talking about the homework on the phone.
Math can seem less scary when you don't have to do it alone.
In fact, when you and a friend are working together to solve problems, it can be kind of fun. , Find a certain time everyday when you can study.
It might only be 30 minutes, but if you can say "I'll study every day at 4:30," it'll make a huge difference.
People don't like to change, but if you can make it a habit of studying at your time in your special study place, it will be easier to sit down and work. , This can be a paid tutor, or any of your friends.
Don't wait until you are getting failing in grades to find a tutor, but find one at the first sign of trouble.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of any available help. , Many people suffer from "Math anxiety," where just thinking about math, gets them feeling less confident and more nervous.
This makes them put off studying and homework until it is too late.
Don't let the Math scare you, or make you feel bad.
Math can be hard to learn, but you can do it. , Whether or not  your teacher asks you to redo that homework assignment you forgot about (I know
- your dog ate it), there is no substitute for actually doing the work.
You certainly won't pass the quiz on Tuesday's material if you don't understand Monday's lecture because you were busy Friday night.
Doing old tests and homework may also serve as a good review prior to a big test! Also, keep in mind that old tests and exams can help you get better at math. , If you do, go back and do the work yourself until you understand it.
It may look great if you get a 95% on that quiz, but you're still going to bomb the next test.
Sure it's an old method, but the only person you hurt by cheating is yourself. , Make sure that you know what will be on each test, and practice those kinds of problems.
Ask your teacher for a sample test.
Study for the tests with your "study buddy." Get a good night's sleep before each test, too. , Try studying a little bit every night until the test.
If you try to study the night before, you probably will forget everything and be tired and unprepared.
The best idea is to just review key ideas and such the day before and morning of. , Math is not like other subjects such as English and Science or other languages.
It isn't a subject to be by hearted, it needs practice.
Practice Math daily for an hour.
Concentrate and pay attention on what you are doing and understand what Math really is. , Calculators should be used only to check your answers.
If you use calculators, it isn't your brain that is thinking to do the problem, the calculator is doing the whole job.
If you use a calculator, it is hard to become good at Math.
Use calculators only to check your answers.
Unless it is geometry, like finding the angle of a triangle or finding the root of a large number. , Do them right after your class or right after school when the lesson is still fresh in your mind.
They are a great way to practice Math. , Multiplication tables are very important during higher classes.
It is better to learn them by heart at an early age at least 1-11 tables.
It must be told even when you are asleep. , Formulae are really important during some lessons.
If you forget it, the whole lesson might be of no use.
So it is important to learn formulae through practicing and not by heart.
Don't just learn the formulae, but conceptually understand why the formulae work. , Understand what each lesson is trying to tell you about.
Algebra consists of only using Mathematical language to find a number.
Negative numbers are just below zero and need a minus sign.
Geometry is just to draw some figures.
All these are just simple.
Learn each lesson completely without any doubt.
See that you know and understand everything. , Try to learn math through various Math games and activities with friends and companions.
You might see that this is an interesting and fun way to learn Math.
And there are various websites that offer free Math games and activities too.
Try them out. , Math is fun and interesting of all the other subjects, and one of the important ones, too.
About the Author
Debra Tucker
Experienced content creator specializing in crafts guides and tutorials.
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