How to Get Better at Math: 10 Strategies & Examples

Let's start with a common truth: Math can be tough, especially as you move through your studies. Many students find it frustrating and overwhelming, and there are plenty of reasons why. Maybe you missed some classes or had a teacher whose explanations didn't quite click with you. Perhaps you switched schools and found yourself playing catch-up with topics you missed. Or maybe, let's be honest, you were more interested in goofing off than paying attention in the fourth grade – it happens!

But here's the thing: struggling with math isn't a life sentence. You don't have to be a math whiz to improve your grades. With the right mindset and a few effective strategies, anyone can learn how to get better at math. 

So, how do we figure out the best approach to tackle math and see real progress? In this article, we'll share some practical tips and tricks to help you master this subject and reach your full potential. And while you're at it, consider using our help by asking -  do my math homework for me. 

Why is Mathematics Important

Mathematics is not just a subject to conquer but a tool that empowers us to tackle the world around us. Don't quite believe it? Well, here's why it matters:

While you take a moment to absorb all this valuable insight, leave your writing tasks to us. Simply ask -  write an essay, and our skilled experts will get started right away!

How to Get Better at Math with 10 Strategies 

Improving math skills is a challenge many students face. Yet, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. That's why we're not just handing you a set of instructions. Instead, we're offering 10 tried-and-true tips and tricks. You can tailor them to fit your own situation. After all, every student has their own strengths and weaknesses. Remember, you've got this - stay confident and keep practicing.

1. Create a Study Schedule

Creating a study schedule is one of the most effective steps to understanding how to become better at math. By planning your study time, you ensure that you dedicate consistent effort to your math practice, which is essential for building and retaining skills. A study schedule helps you manage your time efficiently and keeps you on track to meet your learning goals.

Start by assessing your current schedule and finding time slots that can be dedicated to studying math. It doesn't have to be hours at a stretch; even 30 minutes a day can make a significant difference. Break your study sessions into manageable chunks, such as reviewing class notes, solving practice problems, and revisiting challenging concepts. Consistency is key, so aim to study math regularly rather than cramming all your study time into one or two days a week.

When creating your schedule, set specific goals for each study session. For example, you might decide to focus on algebraic equations one day and geometry the next. Having clear objectives helps you stay focused and makes your study time more productive. Additionally, incorporate breaks into your schedule to prevent burnout. Studies show that taking short breaks during study sessions can improve concentration and memory retention.

Using tools like planners, calendars, or digital apps can help you stay organized. Write down your study times and stick to them as closely as possible. If you miss a session, don't get discouraged; just adjust your schedule and keep going. The goal is to create a routine that becomes a natural part of your daily life, making it easier to stay committed to improving your math skills.

2. Adopt a Mastery Mindset

Adopting a mastery mindset in math means focusing on truly understanding concepts rather than just aiming for good grades. It's about putting effort into learning, persisting through challenges, and believing that hard work can improve your abilities.

One way to develop this mindset is by embracing challenges and seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn. When faced with tough problems, take the time to understand your errors and how to improve. This process strengthens your understanding and sets you up for success in future topics. Psychologist Carol Dweck highlights that students who believe they can improve with effort tend to do better.

Positive self-talk is another tool for cultivating a mastery mindset. Instead of putting yourself down for mistakes, speak positively about your progress. For example, say "I'm getting better at math every day" instead of "I'm bad at math." Changing your narrative can make a big difference.

Setting long-term goals is crucial. Break down big goals like excelling in calculus into smaller, manageable milestones, like mastering derivatives and integrals. Celebrate each milestone to stay motivated and build confidence. Some examples could be:

• Practicing math daily for 30 minutes
• Attempting five enrichment questions each week
• Asking your teacher for help when stuck on a problem.

Seeking feedback and asking for help are important parts of the process. Don't be afraid to reach out to teachers, classmates, or tutors when you're stuck. Collaborating with others can offer new perspectives and deepen your understanding.

Lastly, be patient and kind to yourself. Mastery takes time, and setbacks are normal. Stay positive, and remember that every small step forward brings you closer to your goals.

3. Keep Your Work Tidy

Maintaining neat and organized work allows you to review your work later, track your progress, and identify patterns in your mistakes. Unfortunately, many students aren't explicitly taught how to learn and study math, but like any language, there are specific layout conventions that enhance outcomes.

To improve your math learning experience, consider implementing these seven workbook hacks:

4. Focus on Understanding Instead of Just Memorizing

Instead of relying solely on memorization, prioritize understanding the core principles of math. This is what distinguishes true mastery from rote learning.

Understanding the 'why' behind a method equips you to apply it across various situations. For instance, grasping the concept of variables in algebra enables more effective problem-solving. 

To reinforce new concepts, connect them to real-life scenarios. For example, relate percentage calculations to shopping discounts or consider ratios in the context of recipe ingredients.

Visual aids can also be invaluable, especially for visual learners. Drawing diagrams, like dividing a pizza for fractions or illustrating a clock for angles, enhances comprehension.

As you learn how to get better at math, don't hesitate to question the rationale behind each concept. Whether in the classroom, with tutors, or online forums, discussing math problems fosters clarity and deepens understanding. Teaching others also reinforces your knowledge and exposes any areas needing improvement.

Regular practice and application are key. After learning a new topic, tackle diverse problems to ensure adaptability and consolidate your understanding. This approach not only reinforces learning but also enhances problem-solving skills across different contexts.

5. Develop a Strong Number Sense

Building a strong number sense involves an intuitive grasp of numbers, their relationships, and how operations affect them, which is essential for problem-solving.

Students with a solid number sense can:

• Visualize and discuss numbers comfortably, often aided by tools like number bonds.
• Decompose and recompose numbers flexibly, such as breaking down five into various combinations.
• Perform mental calculations, solving problems mentally rather than relying solely on paper and pencil.
• Connect numbers to real-life situations, like counting items at the grocery store, to make math relevant and understandable.

Fostering number sense builds confidence and promotes flexible thinking, allowing children to see math as a language they can engage with. Analogous to letters forming words, digits combine to create numbers.

Here are some strategies to learn how to solve math problems through nurturing number sense in students:

• Encourage estimation in daily activities, such as estimating the number of objects in a jar.
• Present numbers in various contexts, like identifying numbers on household items, to deepen understanding.
• Foster creative visualization of numbers, celebrating diverse perspectives.
• Cultivate open-minded math thinking by posing questions that encourage multiple approaches, like finding different ways to group objects.
• Promote mental math over memorization, leveraging known facts to deduce related facts.

6. Summarize Key Concepts and Procedures

Summarizing key math concepts and procedures is a smart way to strengthen your understanding and memory of mathematical ideas. By breaking down complex information into short summaries, you create a handy reference for future learning and problem-solving.

How to do it:

7. Practice Mental Math Strategies

Practicing mental math strategies sharpens your ability to swiftly and accurately perform calculations without relying on external aids like paper or calculators. This skill is immensely useful in everyday scenarios and lays a sturdy groundwork for more complex mathematical thinking.

Start by mastering fundamental arithmetic operations—like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For instance, break down numbers into smaller parts when adding or subtracting. To sum 25 and 18, add 20 and 10 to make 30, then add 5 and 8 to get 13, finally combining to reach 43. This technique, called partitioning, simplifies intricate calculations and minimizes errors.

Use number patterns and properties as another strategy. For example, leverage the relationship between 8 and 10 (8 is 2 less than 10) to multiply efficiently. For 8 times 6, calculate 10 times 6 (60) and subtract 12 to get 48. Recognizing such patterns accelerates calculations and refines your number intuition.

Estimation is a valuable skill to hone alongside mental math. While shopping, approximate total costs by rounding prices to the nearest dollar. This not only enhances arithmetic prowess but also bolsters confidence in handling numbers in real-life contexts. Estimation also aids in validating answers for more intricate problems.

Regularly engage in mental math exercises to maintain proficiency. Various online platforms and apps offer games and challenges tailored to enhancing mental math abilities. Additionally, challenge yourself with daily mental math problems, like estimating travel time or determining sale discounts, to stay sharp and agile in mathematical thinking.

8. Work through Textbook Examples

Textbook examples are carefully selected to demonstrate key principles and problem-solving strategies, making them invaluable tools for learning.

Follow these key steps to knowing how to get better at math:

9. Review and Revisit Previously Studied Material

Math concepts build upon each other, so refreshing your understanding of earlier topics is essential for success. Here are some effective strategies:

10. Correct Mistakes on Quizzes and Tests

Correcting mistakes on quizzes and tests is essential for improving your math skills. But beyond just patching up errors, it's about understanding why the leak happened in the first place.

Key Steps:

After identifying mistakes, take a moment to reflect on why they happened. Was it a calculation error? Misunderstanding a concept? Rushing through questions? Understanding the root cause helps prevent similar mistakes in the future.

Additionally, don't underestimate the power of persistence. Keep pushing forward, even when mistakes feel discouraging, knowing that each correction brings you one step closer to mastery. 

The Key Takeaway

In math, like in sports, art, or anything else, some people grasp certain subjects more easily than others. But don't let that discourage you. Even if math feels tough, it doesn't mean you can't conquer it. Putting in extra effort to fill in any knowledge gaps will pay off in the long run, making future math courses smoother.

And remember, having strong skills in this subject opens up a world of opportunities. You can land jobs with math degree in fields such as engineering, finance, and technology. So, keep pushing forward because mastering math can lead to exciting career prospects and endless possibilities!

FAQ