Maths is one of the most dreaded, complex, and important subjects a student has to learn. Most people find it difficult to understand, and this is especially true for weak students who start with a limited knowledge of number, equations and overall conceptual comprehension of mathematics.
However, despite being a weak student in maths, it is possible to make progress and become good at it. This article outlines thirteen methods to become good at mathematics for weak students.
1. Identify the Reason for Being Weak in Maths
The first step that a weak maths student needs to take to become good at maths is to understand why they struggle with it. While there might be multiple reasons, such as a lack of confidence and a lack of basics, it is important to recognise and address the root cause in order to make progress.
Once it has been identified, it is easier for weak students to develop a plan that addresses their needs and can make them strong in maths.
2. Develop Foundational Skills in Maths
To become good at maths, weak students need to focus on the basics first. This includes learning fundamental skills such as counting, recognising and understanding various geometric shapes, working with numbers in various contexts, and solving basic sums. Understanding the basics help weak students to build a strong foundation for more complex concepts and applications of maths, such as algebra and trigonometry.
3. Take Professional Help or Tuition
Many weak students struggle to understand maths on their own due to low confidence and lack of comprehension. In such cases, they should seek professional help, such as by enrolling in tuition classes, or seeking the help of maths tutors.
These classes will help them to become familiar with different concepts in a guided, structured way. The teacher can also provide guidance and support to clear their doubts and improve their knowledge.
4. Differentiate Weak and Strong Areas
Being a weak student in maths means having different levels of understanding of various concepts. It is important for them to differentiate between the weak and strong areas to make the learning process easier.
This can also help them to form a study plan by focusing on the weak areas first. Weak students should also make sure to focus on topics and concepts they find hard to understand and take extra time to master them.
5. Find Supportive Materials for Learning
The internet is a great resource for finding guided and detailed materials to understand and master different concepts in maths. Weak students should explore available materials and select those which are most suitable for their learning needs. Such materials can include online tutorials, maths blogs, and short, easy-to-understand videos of different topics.
Weak students should keep exploring to find more supporting content, and create a library of such resources which can help in their learning process.
6. Practice on Regular Basis
Practice is essential to remember and understand any concept in maths, and this is especially true for weak students. They should focus on regular practice and try solving several questions till they achieve a level of comfort.
This can help them to get familiar with different methods of solving problems, and identify and rectify their mistakes. Additionally, they should also look for practice questions that are available online and try solving them to test their understanding and accuracy.
7. Take Breaks Regularly
Taking regular breaks is important for any student learning maths, and this also applies to weak students. Without pauses, it can get overwhelming to solve problems and understand concepts. Weak students should take regular breaks and use this time to catch up with pending work, review their notes, and get ideas for improving their learning.
Breaks also help in keeping their mind active and focused and this is essential to become good at maths.
8. Ask Questions in Class
Weak students should not shy away from asking questions and seeking help from their teachers in class. Their doubts and queries should be addressed carefully and accurately to ensure that the correct information is imparted to them and that their understanding of concepts is clear. They should also ensure that their questions are relevant and not repetitive or unrelated to the topic, and that they don’t appear to be seeking extra or irrelevant help from the teacher.
9. Participate in Group Discussions
Group discussions, with classmates as well as with peers who are more competent in maths, can be very beneficial for weak students. Such discussions help to develop better skills in communication and problem-solving, and also give the weak student exposure to different ideas and solutions they can use while attempting problems. Additionally, it also encourages them to be more engaged in the topic and work more effectively.
10. Utilise Multimedia as a Learning Tool
Multimedia resources are great tools to become good at maths. Weak students should explore available computer software, mobile apps, and videos, which can be advantageous in learning and understanding different topics in maths. Such resources can also help the weak student by providing easier solutions and solutions of problems in less time.
11. Set Clear and Realistic Goals
Setting goals for each lesson, for the whole week, or for the month can help weak students stay focused and motivated. These goals should be clear and easily achievable. Once the goals have been identified, the weak student needs to break them down into smaller actionable steps and try to accomplish them one by one.
12. Exchange Ideas with Peers
Exchanging ideas and solutions with peers can be a great learning opportunity for the weak student. They can discuss the solutions they have found and improve the accuracy and speed of their solutions by considering different perspectives.
Their peers can also help them to understand complexities and find simpler solutions.
13. Embrace Mistakes and Learn from Them
No student can master maths without making mistakes and encountering failure. Weak students should realise this, embrace their mistakes, and make a conscious effort to learn from them.
This can help them to understand the concept better and avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Conclusion
Weak students in mathematics can make great progress and become good at it by following the methods discussed in this article. Becoming good at maths requires guidance and hard work, and students need to have the right strategy, resources and motivation to become proficient in this subject.
With consistent effort and dedication, weak students can make a visible improvement in their understanding of mathematics and strengthen their skills in this subject.