How to Get Better at Math: Building Confidence and Skills

Mathematics can be a challenging subject for many students, but the key to knowing how to get better at math lies in building both confidence and skills. As you embark on the journey to improve your math proficiency, consider these strategies that will not only boost your understanding of mathematical concepts but also enhance your confidence in tackling even the most complex problems.

Why is Math Important?

A lot of people hate math. The reasons behind it are pretty understandable, mostly because it can be quite a tricky subject. So why would you want to know how to get better at math once you hate it? The truth is though, like it or not – math is very important for our daily lives. It’s a universal language that has helped create a lot of the innovations and technologies that we have today. Without math, we would be held years back!

Here are some more reasons as to why this pesky little subject is so important in our daily lives!

Math Keeps Our Brains Healthy

A study shows that solving math problems can improve your cognitive function (the way your brain reasons out/thinks), which means that you can help keep your brain healthy for a longer time!

The same goes for reading of course, but solving math problems allows you to think in ways that you don’t usually need to. This is extremely important for our daily lives, especially because things aren’t always straightforward! Sometimes, math even shows us that there is more than one way to get the right answer! So if that hasn’t convinced you to try to learn how to get better at math, than read on!

Math Helps Us Manage Our Money

This is a big one!

Without maths, learning how to manage your finances can be quite difficult. For example, let’s say you have an income every month. You can’t all spend it in one go, so what do you do?

You learn how to budget and save! Still, to learn how to do those two things you are going to have to have a basic knowledge of math! Even understanding how loans work is based on maths, and investing in the stock market too. These are all aspects of life that will become more important as you grow up, so having the knowledge and tools you need for these things is vital.

It Helps Us Think Logically

Since mathematics is constantly dealing with a lot of different formulas and equations, it helps us use critical thinking and logic. In fact, learning how to get better at math may help you get better at critical thinking in general!

Critical thinking is when you make a judgment and analyse whatever you’re hearing, reading, saying or writing. This is important in our daily lives, we always should analyse what we are being told, especially now!

Why?

Well, nowadays we are living in an age of misinformation. This means that we are seeing a lot of false information around us, and this can be harmful in our daily lives. The way math makes us think to solve equations helps us think more critically and will help us analyze what is really true!

1. How To Get Better at Math: Start With a Positive Mindset

Maybe this doesn’t seem like such a practical tip, but in my experience, it’s one of the most important ones if you want to know how to get better at Math.

As a kid, I hated maths…it was the bane of my existence. I found it difficult, so difficult that I used to be scared to enter the lesson!

Something a lot of my teachers told me was that I lacked a certain confidence in the subject. They believed that because I lacked confidence (and was scared of the subject), I was finding it far more difficult than it was.

Now I’m not saying that all of your difficulties in the subject are due to a lack of confidence, but it plays a big part. Once I started believing in myself a little more (positive affirmations and patience), I saw a massive improvement in my grades.

This is what I mean about starting with a positive mindset. Let’s say you have to study for a test you have coming up. If you start your study session by believing you won’t do well…chances are you won’t. There’s also no need to pressure yourself either.

Going into your session with a positive mindset means telling yourself the following:

‘I can do this.’

‘Even if I get the question wrong, it’s an opportunity to learn how to do it right.’

‘I can ask for help if I need’

‘It will be okay’

I know it may sound corny, but simply saying (or writing) these things down before your study session is what can change your experience! Believing things can make a world of a difference in your head, trust me!

2. Identify Your Weaknesses to Learn How to Get Better at Math

Everyone has a weak point in every single subject, what’s great with math is that it’s easier to pinpoint what those weaknesses are.

Look at all the topics you’re studying in your syllabus and look at your grades. Which topics did you do better in, and which topics did you do worse in?

Sometimes your grades don’t reflect your proficiency in a subject, so don’t just rely on them. Listen to your instinct, did you do well in Algebra but feel you need some more practice? Make a note of it!

Once you’ve identified all of the topics you feel need practice, write them all down on a piece of paper with a little box next to them. Then, once you feel you’ve studied enough you can tick them off one by one, which will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction!

3. How To Get Better at Math: Create an Individualised Study Plan

Study plans are a fast track to success in any subject, but especially maths!

Study plans may seem like a hassle to create, but they’re very useful in the long run.

Since we’re dealing with a subject that requires a lot of consistency, a study plan is the right thing you need to achieve that. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to building math skills.

In your study plan, make sure to include a time slot for every topic you want to cover. It would be effective to use the previous tip before to help you create it. This is because you will need to be focusing on your weak spots in your study plan to better your skills!

Also, it’s best to start with the basics and progress to more advanced concepts, even if you feel you don’t need to go over the basics, you should never start from the more difficult sums. In your study plan, make sure that you make time for the basics first, you can’t build on something if you don’t have the foundation!

If you want a specialized guide on creating your study plan, check out my guide on it right here!

BONUS TIP: Practice, Practice, Practice

This is a no-brainer – if you want to know how to get better at math then you need to practice.

All subjects need practice, but none other like math. Without practice, you can’t expect to get better!

Now it’s time to put all these tips to good use! You know your weaknesses and you have a study plan – now it’s time to use them!

Start from basic sums and work your way up to more difficult sums, this might take time – but keep at it. No matter your difficulties with math, practice does always make perfect. Every time you make a mistake, you will learn from it. It might take some time but eventually, you will gain confidence and you’ll see an improvement in your grades!

Conclusion

Improving your math skills is a journey that requires both dedication and patience. By building confidence and skills simultaneously, you create a strong foundation for success in mathematics. Remember that each step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to achieving your goals. With a positive mindset, strategic planning, and consistent effort, you can navigate the path to becoming proficient in math.