Figure out the Big Picture: Find out why you
are doing this math. How does it fit with your other courses
(science, geography, English, engineering)? You could do some Internet
searches on the math you are studying and include
"application". Get a sense of where you are going and why you are
doing this. Mathematics is compulsory in most of the world -
there has to be a reason...
Get on top of it before it gets on top of you.
Yep, mathematics is one of those things that builds on prior
knowledge. Yet many students learn things only for an examination
and then promptly forget it, setting themselves up for later
difficulties. Learn for the future, not for tomorrow's test.
Read Ahead. It is strongly advised that you
read over next week's math right now. You won't understand it
all, but you will have a better sense of what is coming up and
how it fits with what you are doing this week. Then, when your
class goes through it later, your doubts and uncertainties will
reduce - and you will understand and remember it better.
Use more than one resource.
It often happens that you can't follow the teacher's explanation
and your textbook is very confusing. Borrow 2 or 3 textbooks
similar to your own from your library and read what they have to
say about the topic. Often they will have a diagram, a picture or
an explanation that gives you the "Ahhh - I get it!" that
you desire.
Don't join the Blame Game. Teaching
mathematics is tough. Teachers really have to work hard to make
math fun, interesting and engaging. It is easy to blame a teacher
for a bad grade, but who is really responsible for your future?
Practice makes Perfect. You don't expect to
be able to play guitar or drive a car without practice. Well,
learning mathematics (unfortunately) involves some slogging away
and doing exercises. Don't get bogged down, though - use your
other resources to help you through the homework.
Time Management.
Start homework assignments as soon as you get them. There may be
some things on there that you haven't done in class yet
(because maybe it is not due for a few weeks). That's good - it
helps to focus your thoughts so that when you are doing that
section in class, you know that it is important and you'll know
what you don't know. Nobody plans to fail - but many fail to
plan...
Don't fall into the trap of copying from a friend to survive.
They probably have the wrong answer anyway. Besides, a lot of
students resent being asked for their assignments for copying -
they are too afraid of a ruined relationship to say no. Hey, you
can do it - have the confidence in your own ability.
Never, never give up. Math uses a different
part of the brain than most other things in school. It can be
stressful when you can't figure out something. Work on something
else for a while and come back to it later.
Keep a sense of humour!
Don't lose the ability to laugh at yourself and your own
mistakes. Mistakes are not the end of the world - they are the
beginning of real learning! [Article Reference]
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