Math can be one of the most difficult and intimidating tasks for many of us. Although some of us are talented, natural mathematicians and excel at math, many of us struggle and are often overcome with math anxiety or fear.
This can be especially true when trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life, school, or work. No matter how bad the fear, with the right attitude, guidance, and practice, it is possible to overcome math anxiety.
Understand and Identify the Source of Math Anxiety
The first step in conquering math anxiety is to identify the source. Think back to your experiences in math classes or other relevant situations.
What experiences, or lack thereof, lead you to the current feeling towards math? Was math always a source of stress, or has the feeling developed recently? Identifying the source will help in coming up with an efficient solution.
It is also important to understand the fact that math anxiety can manifest itself differently for everyone. For some, it might manifest itself more as an aversion to math, to the point of avoiding any math related tasks or practice.
For others, it might be a more intense feeling, maybe even leading to a breakdown or sweaty palms accompanied by intense headache. Pinpoint which category you may fall under, and this will inform your next steps.
Adopt a Positive Attitude and Self Talk
When working on math, it is important to remind yourself that you are able to learn, and nothing is impossible to learn with the right effort and practice. One recommended practice is to repeat positive self-talk or mantras to yourself while doing math such as “I can do this”, or “I can figure this out”.
This can help build self-confidence and help reduce your anxiety. In addition to self-talk, it’s important to recognize the feeling of anxiety as normal and natural and allow yourself to express it. By doing this, it would help create a safe space for yourself to feel safe and have the support if needed when struggling with math.
It is better to face your anxieties than to continue to run from them.
Start Slow and Break it Down
When tackling math problems, start slow and break it down. It is easy to become overwhelmed when looking at a longer problem or equation.
However, with some questioning and practice, it can be broken down step-by-step with each problem attainable. Start by analyzing each problem and expression, and understand how each step contributes to the ultimate solution. Breaking it down into smaller parts can help make it more manageable and reduce anxiety.
In the same way the problem must be broken down for the individual, it’s also important to take a break when it seems like the task is getting difficult. Taking a mental break from the situation can allow some time for the prefrontal cortex to reset and come back with a clearer perspective.
Using Visualization Techniques
To further help understand math problems, visualization techniques can be used to work through problems in a way that may be easier for the individual. This could involve having a physical representation of the equation with pencil and paper or thinking of how the equation compares to the everyday world.
Maybe think of how an expression might work in real life, or how the graph or shape looks when visualized in three-dimensional space. These techniques can help build connections between the math world and the real world which can be part of the problem for those dealing with math anxiety. By learning how to correlate the concepts to the real world, it can be easier to understand and work through a problem.
Use Study Resources and Academic Supports
Mathematics is a difficult topic, but with the right resources and supports, it can become slightly easier. This can involve seeking out additional help from tutors or peers that can explain the material in a way that makes sense. It can be easier to understand the concept and work through the problem with an explanation from someone else.
Additionally, online forums, podcasts, and other similar math resources can be used to aid in math understanding. It doesn’t have to stop there.
If nothing else works and the solution to the problem still isn’t clear enough, there are plenty of online calculators and step-by-step solutions that can be used to find the answer. Don’t be afraid to use the aids you need to help you understand and complete a problem.
Practice and Don’t Give Up
Math can be complicated and the anxiety very real, but with the right tips and practice, it can be conquered. Dedicating time to practice math problems is a great way to get the most out of solving math problems. Not only will this help to find the answer for the current question, but it will also benefit the individual for similar questions in the future.
The most important thing to remember is to not give up. If the solution isn’t gained right away, don’t give into hopelessness.
Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to take a break and come back refreshed. As long as math is not completely abandoned, then it eventually will make sense.
Conclusion
Math anxiety is a very real feeling, and it can be hard to break out of the repetitive cycle of fear and failure. However, with the right tips and guidance, it is possible to conquer the fear and gain an understanding of the material.
No matter how hard it may seem, remember to have a positive attitude, break it down step-by-step, use visualization tools, seek help from people or resources, and never give up on trying. This can be a struggle, but with effort and dedication it is attainable.