Mathematics is probably one of the most difficult subjects for most students today. And this is not only happening in Ghana but all over the world.
Students who don’t like maths often face high levels of stress when it comes to exams and even homework, finding assignments difficult or boring.
Unfortunately, most university courses include some level of maths and almost every profession uses maths in some form on a daily basis.
Whatever course a student may choose to fulfil today, it will surely need some basic knowledge of mathematics.
If you don’t deal with your struggle with mathematics now, you might find it even harder when you take a college-level class as you haven’t got a strong foundation in the subject.
Passing mathematics really isn’t something impossible if you’re willing to put in the work.
The reason most students often finds mathematics difficult is because they haven’t taken the time to understand the formulas and principles, mastered the basics, or practised enough.
Here are some tips to help you pass our high school maths easily.
Create a Distraction Free Study Environment
Mathematics is a subject that requires more concentration than any other.
A proper study environment and a distraction free area could be the determining factor when solving complex equations or problems in geometry, algebra or trigonometry!
Studying with music can help create a relaxing atmosphere and stimulate the flow of information.
Having suitable background music can foster an environment of maximum concentration.
Of course, you should steer clear of some form of music; instrumental music is the best thing in these times.
2. Master the Key Concepts
Do not try to memorise the processes. This is counter-productive. It is much better and rewarding in the long-run to focus on understanding the process and logic that is involved.
This will help you understand how you should approach such problems in the future.
Remember that Maths is a sequential subject so it’s important to have a firm understanding of the key concepts that underpin a mathematical topic before moving on to work on other, more complex solutions which are based on understanding the basics.
Understand your Doubts
Sometimes you can get stuck trying to solve part of a maths problem and find it difficult to move on to the next stage.
It’s common for many students to skip this question and continue on to the next.
You should avoid doing this and instead spend time trying to understand the process of solving the problem.
Once you have grasped an understanding of the initial problem, you can use this as a stepping stone to progress to the remainder of the question.
You must remember that mathematics requires lot of time and patience to master.
It is a good idea to study with a friend who you can consult with and bounce ideas off when trying to solve complex problems.
Apply Maths to Real World Problems
As much as possible, try to apply real-world problems when approaching maths.
Maths can be very abstract sometimes so looking for a practical application can help change your perspective and assimilate ideas differently.
Probability, for example, can be used in everyday life to predict the outcome of something happening and determine whether you want to take a risk such as if you should buy a lottery ticket or gamble.
Practice, Practice and Practice even more
It is impossible to study maths properly by just reading and listening.
To study maths you have to roll up your sleeves and actually solve some problems.
The more you practice answering maths problems, the better.
Each problem has its own characteristics and it’s important to have solved it in numerous ways before tackling the exam.
There is no escaping this reality, to do well in a Maths exam you need to have solved a LOT of mathematical problems beforehand.