Math anxiety is real and it one of the biggest reasons why people have trouble understanding the basic concepts of mathematics. In order to learn math and its complicated equations, you need to have a brain that can naturally work out complex math equations. When it comes down to it, this mode of thinking doesn’t come naturally to a lot of people. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get your mind into this mode of thought. Also, it doesn’t mean that you can’t conquer your fear of math. Math can seem daunting, but it can actually be pretty fun if you look at it the right way. Here is how to overcome your math anxiety.
- Go slow. If you have math anxiety, you want to take your time when you are learning math. If you jump into it head first, your anxiety will flare up. Ideally, you want to take baby steps – you want to get into the shallow end and then slowly wade into the deep end – but only when you are completely ready.
- Ask questions. It is also critical to ask questions – a lot of questions. Many people have math anxiety because they don’t ask enough questions. It is important that you don’t feel intimidated by what you don’t know. If you have a question, you want to ask a teacher, a professor, a tutor – anybody that may have an answer. You can also go online and ask questions in forums too – there is a good chance that you will get a lot of help from the online community. Another way to get answers is to do a simple search online.
- Make it fun. It is also important to make math fun. If you make math something that you dread, your anxiety will go through the roof. Ideally, you want to visit a facility, like Mathnasium, that makes math more of a game or a puzzle than an academic hill to climb up. When it comes down to it, you should be able to look forward to math – not hide from it. In life, this anxiety will certainly get in the way.
- Practice. That old adage about practice making perfect is all too true when it comes to mathematics. The more you engage in math and the more that you explore it, the easier it will become. Best of all, the more you practice, the better you will become at math. If you don’t practice math, your brain won’t be able to create the right networks and it won’t be able to open the space necessary to appreciate the concepts behind mathematics.
- Take breaks. Of course, you also want to take breaks – lots of breaks. If you try and push yourself, you will only burn out. If you have math anxiety, burning out could cause your anxiety to get worse – way worse. After a brutal study session, you want to put all your books away and nap or rest. In the end, resting will also help you regenerate and recharge.