How does the word “math” make you feel? If it fills you with excitement and enthusiasm, congratulations: you are officially in the minority. Many people love math; but for most people, it’s far from their favorite school subject. In fact, 54% of students either feel indifferent towards studying mathematics, or flat out hate it. For a lot of students, math anxiety is an ongoing issue that gets in the way of working with numbers and concepts. It may take time to develop this sense of unease – or even a full-on phobia – but it can come out of past experiences.
If you or anyone you know has ever gotten reprimanded for failing a math exam and then felt under high pressure to perform, congratulations, you know what Math Anxiety can feel like. Math doesn’t have to be scary, though. With some understanding of math anxiety and some strategies to control it, students can learn to discover the joy and creativity that keeps so many math wizards out there permanently glued to their Calculus textbooks well into college and beyond.
What Is Math Anxiety?
Disliking math is more than just math anxiety. When you’re having trouble dealing with numbers, you might feel helplessness, you may experience fear, and you could even have tension in your body. Physically and mentally, your body simply stops working.
People with math anxiety tend to think they are ‘just not good at math’, which can make it difficult to concentrate and do well. On top of it all, if there are any underlying mental health conditions, those may exacerbate the problem by throwing in a mix of nasty things, like a racing heart, nausea or difficulty concentrating whenever the topic of math even comes up
Math Anxiety Can Arise From Several Factors
Math anxiety can manifest in various other ways, such as math homework or test avoidance. Being stressed or anxious before math class is a common sign. But if left unchecked, eventually that negative self-talk may even slip-up “in public” and you’ll catch yourself saying self-deprecating things like, “I’m not good at this,” or “I feel stupid.”
This kind of negative self-talk stops learning in its tracks by eating away at the student’s confidence. Recognizing these signs will help you tackle the problem. Once you can recognize these problems before they take over your thought process, you can work with your math teachers to not just identify these, but solve them once and for all.
How To Conquer Math Anxiety
The first step in reducing math anxiety is to know the causes of math anxiety. Negative experiences play a major role. Struggles or poor grades from math in the past can create a fear cycle and avoidance. Perfectionism and pressure add another layer: having a subconscious need to get the ‘right’ answer quickly and/or flawlessly can often add to the stress.
If you feel like you’re thousands of miles away from “fixing” your relationship with math, the good news is that you are not alone. After all, you haven’t yet tried all the tactics that have worked for students who thought for years on end that they “suck” at math. With time, energy and commitment, math anxiety can get reduced. Here are some simple approaches to studying stress-free that you can apply today:
1. Open About It
Sharing your emotional load with parents, teachers or friends helps you offload your burdens, and can kick in some practical support at the same time. The first step is to avoid stigmatizing this very common phenomenon: math anxiety.
2. Do Small Things More Consistently
Instead of storing up the math before exams, create a habit of practicing math for 5–10 minutes a day. Frequent practice makes it familiar and makes people confident about understanding difficult topics over time.
3. Don't Hesitate To Ask Questions
It’s always ok to ask questions. Asking for clarification will keep you on target, whether in class or on homework. If it’s a concept you need to understand, you can ask whatever question you want.
4. Nurture A Growth Mindset
Negative self-talk needs to have no room in your heart and mind. All people have different sets of skills. If you know that improvement is possible, then saying nice things instead of mean things about yourself is going to be your next step.
5. Turn Math Into A Game
Ask yourself, “do I think math is fun,” and if the answer is “no,” ask yourself, “how could I make it more fun for myself?” Use math when spending time on your hobbies and you’ll be amazed how much quicker concepts will stick in your brain.
Following these suggestions will help you begin your journey towards overcoming math anxiety. Remember, even though many students suffer from math anxiety, the way they overcome it could be very different to one another. Give these ideas a try and apply them in a way that works for you, even if your friends or classmates have unsuccessfully tried them.
Partner With OMC To Overcome Math Anxiety
Studying alone could be the thing that’s robbing you of joy. Solitude can create anxiety; the solution is studying with a group. Groups foster communal learning; they provide opportunities for fellow students to help each other work through those troublesome concepts. It’s both encouraging and relaxing to the student when a confident professor can proclaim playtime that doesn’t ignore the topic & incorporates the lesson plan into playtime. Working with other students takes math from an isolating activity to a much more social experience.
At OMC, students can build confidence and overcome math anxiety through personalized classes and tutoring. With tailored support at every grade level, OMC helps students not only strengthen their math skills but also develop a positive relationship with the subject.
Overcoming math anxiety is every student’s first step on the road to building a positive relationship with the subject. Contact OMC today to learn how we can help your child succeed in math without the stress.
