How to Succeed in a Math Class

Tips on How to Succeed in a Math Class

Yes, You Can Learn Math!!! 

Get a “can do”, positive attitude:

If you can do it in sports, music, dance, etc., you can do it in math!  Try not to let fear or negative experiences turn you off to math.

Stay positive.  You will have good days, bad days and so-so days throughout the year.  Keep your head up, get help and learn.

Practice a little math every day:

It helps you build up your confidence and move your brain away from the panic button at test time.

Take advantage of your math class:

Middle school math is your opportunity to solidify your pre-Algebra math skills to get you prepared for higher order math in Algebra and beyond.

Most colleges and universities require at least college algebra for any bachelor's degree.  Some classes, like chemistry, nursing, statistics, etc. will require some algebra skills to succeed in them.  If you are getting a bachelor's degree, then chances are you are going for a professional job. Most professional jobs require at least some math. Granted, some more than others, but nonetheless math (logical reasoning, methods of problem solving, numbers, etc...) is everywhere. So make sure that you embrace your math experience and make the most of it.

Get help outside the classroom:

• Take advantage of available free help sessions with the teacher for extra help (see homepage for the site for available weekly help sessions).

• Use online resources like School Yourself or Khan Academy or Zearn or ALEKS.

• Form a study group with your friends (in person or virtually)

Attend class full time:

Math is a sequential subject.  That means that what you are learning today builds on what you learned yesterday.  Even problems based on a new math concept will need some older skills to work them out.  Practice your math facts: skip counting, TIMES TABLES, number sense, etc...

(Think: Can you work problems with fractions if you don’t know the multiplication tables?)

Keep up with the homework:

It sounds simple but your time is limited, you have sports, activities, etc..  Think of it this way: No homework, no learning.  Homework helps you practice the applications of math concepts.  It's like playing sports or music or being in a play.  You can only get better if you practice appropriately all the time.  Without practice you can't just show up on game day (test days) and do well.  Make educational practice a regular thing.  We suggest you even try some of the unassigned problems, too, for extra practice.

Try to understand the math problems: 

When you work homework problems, ask yourself what you are looking for and how you are going to get there.  Don’t just follow the example.  Work the problem step-by-step until you know why you are doing what you are and have arrived at the solution.  If you follow the what, how, and whys, you’ll know what to do when you see a similar problem later.

Use index cards to study for tests: 

Here’s how you do that: When studying for a test, make sure you can understand the problems on each math concept as well as work them.  Then make the index cards with problems on them.  Mix the index cards (yes, shuffle the cards to mix them up) and set the timer.  Start working the problems on each card as it is dealt to you.  Oh, yeah, hide your textbook!  This will simulate a math test taking experience. 

Ask questions in class:

Don’t be ashamed to ask questions.  Get clarification as soon as possible.  The instructor WILL NOT make fun of you.  In fact, at least one other person may have the same question.

 Participate in class:

Take notes.  Listen carefully.  Ask questions.  Answer questions.  Volunteer to do problems on the board.  Work together with other students.

The more you are actively participating and are engaged during class, the more you'll know and understand.  And the time goes by faster.

Ask questions outside of class: 

OK, so like most people, you don’t want to ask questions in class, OR you think of a question too late.  Then go to the instructor’s office and ask away.  If you can't ask anyone, write it down on a sticky note and ask the teacher the next day in class.

Check homework assignments: 

Make sure that when you finish your homework, and have checked your answers with the answer key, you look over what you got right as well as what you missed.  For the ones you missed, identify the error(s), how to fix it and then do the problem correctly.

Pay attention in class: 

Try not to fall behind. Math snowballs. What starts off as a little problem, become big ones is you don't keep up or get help right away.  Stay alert to the instructor’s presentation, otherwise you may miss important steps to learning concepts.  Remember, today’s information sets the foundation for tomorrow’s work.

Don’t talk in class: 

If you have questions, please ask the instructor.  The information you get from classmates may be mathematically wrong!  And if it isn’t related to math information for this class, save it for outside the classroom. 

Stay organized:

Keep worksheets, handouts and assessments in a folder.  

Have a spiral notebook just for Math to take daily notes and do assignments in an orderly manner so that it is easy to find information and study from.

Read the math textbook and study guide: 

Yes, there’s a reason why we encourage you to read ahead or look back at the examples.  If you look carefully, you will see that your book contains pages with great examples, explanations and definitions of terms.  Take advantage of them.