8 Smart Ways for High School Students to Get Better at Math

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8 Smart Ways for High School Students to Get Better at Math

Showing good aptitude scores in math helps to open up doors for scholarships in famous universities and colleges. Math is also known to increase logical skills, which helps when it comes to solving real-life problems.

That being said, not everyone understands how to get better at math. Many need help and guidance. It can be a real challenge to improve in a subject which is seen as a weakness. However, it is possible.

We are providing 8 smart ways that will help you get better at math. These tips will build a desire in you to get better at it and also face tough math-based problems head-on.

So, grab your TI 89 or any other graph-solving calculators, put on your equation solving hat, and get ready to learn math in a new and fun way!

1. No Distractions

Math is a subject that requires your full attention, so you can’t have any distractions while working. This means one thing: keep your smartphone well away when you sit down to study!

While it’s near impossible to diminish the impulse to check your phone every now and again, you should have no distractions. You can put it on silent or on airplane mode, and then get on with your work.

Your social media will still be there when you finish studying, and your friends will understand if you disappear for a while from the Internet. That being said, there are lots of people (myself included) who enjoy working on math problems more while listening to music.

It’s known to put people in the zone and help them to increase their focus. However, this is down to the individual. Some benefit from it, some don’t.

2. Group Studies

When you need extra help and guidance, having friends over where you can practice and solve math together is a real plus point.

You might even have fun along the way and show more enthusiasm for math. Together, all of you can help out with each other’s homework.

Many people (and by people, we mean parents) think group studies create more distractions than actually help the students. However, the truth is, group studies can not only be fun and boost social levels, but they can also teach you more than you ever expected.

3. Trace Your Steps Back

High school math can be hard sometimes due to the many steps involved. It’s very easy to miss a step and mess up the solution. Tracing your steps back to find out at which step you went wrong can help you understand the problem better.

Try incorporating this method every time you get stuck or after you’ve solved a problem. You’ll begin finding explanations as to how a certain formula came to be in said problem.

You can also figure out a different approach to the problem, one that requires fewer steps to be taken in order for it to be solved. So, always remember to retrace your steps.

This will help you immensely during exams and quizzes.

4. Think Practically

Sometimes math problems include real-life situations. For example, finding the height of a cone or finding the volume of a circle. These types of problems can become easier to solve if you think practically and see it from a physical point of view.

The next time you have to solve the volume of a cubed container, find one in your home and work out the problem. This may take some time at first, but eventually, when you start relating everyday objects with your math problems, you’ll find answers faster than you used to before.

This new way of solving math problems can someday help solve problems in a real-life scenario. It also helps to build knowledge and makes you think more practically.

5. Find Your Time of the Day to Study

Everyone has a time of the day they feel most productive. For some, it’s during the early mornings, while others like to wait until the moon is out.

Many teachers and school systems put math in the first periods because they think it helps students to have better concentration. This can be true for some students, but not for all of them.

If you’re not sure about your own productive time of the day, do some experiments. With that being said, don’t change any of your usual routines or habits.

Just choose a new time every other day to see when you feel most productive. You might be able to understand and absorb information better than when you did during other times of the day.

6. Remember to Take a Break

The most important part about this whole article is you remember to take a break. Math isn’t an easy subject you can master overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and practice, and it can take a toll if you overwork yourself.

You’ll get frustrated and stressed out easily if you don’t take a breather every now and then. It will help your brain stay sharp, and it will also help you to study for longer periods of time.

7. One-on-One Sessions With Your Teacher

Not every student learns a subject the same way. Some catch onto the process immediately, some don’t. And some simply need to be taught concepts in different ways.

In a standard classroom, math lessons are taught to the majority of the students. Teachers don’t usually go from student to student, checking where they are struggling or how far ahead they are with their work.

In cases like these, what you can do is stay behind after class and ask your teacher to help out with any problems you’re facing. Have a one-on-one session with your teacher and let them help you figure out what areas are proving to be problematic.

There’s no shame in asking for help. You’re there to learn, and the teachers are there to help you. Always ask questions whenever you’re stuck.

8. Find an Online Math Tutor

The digital age has given students a platform to learn new things in a completely different – and easy – way. Learning from an online math tutor is the same as having a one-on-one session with your math teacher, but with one difference: it’s happening virtually.

Your math teacher won’t always be there to help you out when you’re studying at home or cramming for finals. A virtual, online math tutor can assist you at all times.

They offer tutorials and give you a more personalized learning experience. The best part is, you can choose to take these sessions in the comfort of your home and on your own schedule.

Take full advantage of the digital age while you can, and you’ll find yourself becoming better at tackling math problems.

Final Thoughts

High school itself can be tough for a growing teenager. On top of that, math is a subject which can stress students out pretty easily.

Many students are intimidated by this subject because they don’t learn it properly, or are too shy to ask for help when they are stuck.

We hope this article will break down these stereotypes, and help out those who actually want to learn math in a new light that also makes it fun for them.

Just remember to do your best and never feel down for not being able to understand something. There’s always a second chance, and it lets you learn from your mistakes!

Author Bio:

This article is contributed by Anthony. A true fan of reading books and comics and the one-eyed-king in the world of mathematical geekdom. Check out more of his works at GraphingCalcHub.com.

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