This is the section where you expect to hear all about how I love math and how math is so easy. You expect me to tell the story of how my early teachers were impressed with my mathematical abilities at an early age. You expect to hear of me taking every math class I could for fun, doing calculus for fun,  and watching math documentaries. Sorry to disappoint you, but that isn't what you are going to read here.

I am definitely a rarity when it comes to any other math professor I know. Throughout my high school career, I struggled with math. I scored a C in Algebra I, Ds in Algebra II, and geometry ( In Alabama in the 90s, you could pass with Ds). I had a strong distaste for math. I didn't understand it. It didn't see the connection to it. It seemed like its own language that I didn't know. 

When I was a senior in high school, I took a physics course. I absolutely loved it. The concept that there were these certain laws that we discovered that governed how everything worked and moved around me was intoxicating. I even read books about physics that I wasn't assigned. Mr. Tompkins in Paperback was probably my favorite. As I was pursuing physics, I kept hitting a wall. Conceptually, I was really good at physics. When it came to the computational aspects, I wasn't. My old enemy math was back. I had trouble using and solving the necessary equations.

So my journey began.  When I entered college in the 90s in Alabama, there was no such thing as developmental math. Every math course below Calculus to try and develop my skills. Eventually, I did. 

I finally learned to get a perception of math that worked for me. Math is just a tool. It's something you use to get a task done. I don't love math. I love what I can do with math. To me, it's like having affection for one of your tools, like a hammer. I don't love the hammer, but I love being able to build things, which involves using the hammer. You don't have to love it either. Just be able to use it for what you are wanting to do.

Like I say to all my classes when I tell them some version of this story, there is no magic pixie dust I can sprinkle over your head to suddenly make you understand math. There is no shortcut or 6-step plan for overnight math success. That being said, here are the 6 steps I would use to get started in finding success in math. if you struggled in the past. It's an ongoing time-consuming process, but it is worth it.

1. You have to change your negative ideas about math

I used to have students write their ideas about math down on a piece of paper during the first few moments of class. I would encourage them to be completely honest, not just write what they thought I wanted them to say. I would encourage them to share these in class. After we had all our emotions out, I would ask them to destroy the paper. That part of your life is over. It's time to see yourself succeeding at math versus it being a stumbling block for you. You used to have difficulties in math, but you are taking the steps to get past that and start a new chapter. 

2. You have to talk and think positively about what you can do. Believe in you!

One quote attributed to Henry Ford states "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right". I think that's true in several areas of life, but definitely with math. "I'm just not good at math" is the enemy of you finding success in math. Change how you think. Change what you say about math. It makes a huge difference. Put in the work. Believe that you can. It will drastically help you find success.

3. You have to start from your current skill level and work up.

Don't skip steps. If you struggle with basic math, you are not ready for college algebra. Get in the right class for your skill level and build up.

I have seen this happen so many times. I've had students that were able to take a higher math class but refused to take a lower level class....even after failing the higher level class many times.

4. You have to take the time to dedicate to working all the problems

As I've mentioned, there is no shortcut to math success. If you don't do the practice, it's hard to do well on the quiz. If you don't do practice or prepare for the quizzes, it's hard to do well on the tests. You need practice. That's by far the best way to learn. Don't hesitate to find tutors to help!

5. You need to learn the vocabulary

It's very difficult to know how to do math if you don't know what the words mean. Translate ( or get help translating) the more difficult math terms into things you more easily understand.