I hate math and I am terrible at it no matter what I do!?

Question

My mom and dad,and teachers get very frustrated with me!
I absoutley hate math and am very bad at it! All summer long my mom has tried to help me but I can't seem to get this pre-algebra crap! my mom has already said what a tough year I am going to have this year.And she doesnt know what to do anymore!
I have no idea how to help myself...and tonight I have very depressing thoughts about myself! What can I do?

Answer 1

I hear McDonald's is hiring.

Answer 2

Take a deep breath. I know it is daunting to try and work on something you don't enjoy, and have a hard time understanding. That makes it a challenge. Have you talked to your teacher individually? I would recommend that first. He/She may be able to schedule some tutoring time with you, or they may assign one of your peers to work with you. Private tutors might also be a possibility for you.....Silvan Learning Centers have a good program, but there are probably many different ones in your area, check with your teacher about that possibility. Oddly enough, when I was in 3rd grade I refused to learn my times tables....I spent the summer missing my favorite TV program (Donny and Marie) because I was would not practice them. Guess what? I became a third grade teacher :) I taught multiplication. Math was always a struggle for me. I understand your frustration. Don't give up. Everyone has different ways of learning and sometimes it takes a little extra work to figure out the best method for a student. When you are getting help, remember to listen.....don't think about how hard it is or what you would rather be doing, really focus on what you are learning. Ask questions. Math is a puzzle. The older I became, the more I realized that. Develop the patience and perseverance to understand it. You are worth it! I hope this helped a little bit. Don't give up. You will actually use these skills one day, and I promise you will chuckle when you do:) Have a wonderful school year.

Answer 3

Go to your guidance counselor and explain the problems you have with math. Any concerned person knows that all people don't have the same skills or aptitude for certain subjects. Your skill area may be in music, art, history or whatever. Don't let this get you down.
Your school system probably has tutors available for you. If not then the school system has the problem and not you. The schools must provide an educational environment to meet the needs of all of their students. Never give up! You are one of God's creations and He put you here to accomplish a mission. Never give up! In fact, sometimes it only takes a little tutoring by the right person and your problems will be over.

Answer 4

Math can be hard until you understand the reason behind what you're trying to do. If you can relate to the outcome and aim toward that, the steps along the way just might make more sense. It's easier to reach an outcome if you understand the problem. Instead of only seeing the numbers, try to find out WHY. If you can't work it out for yourself, ask someone who can help.
I helped a young student some time back, who supposedly had ADD. He had some math problems which he could not work out. I talked him through until he understood what he had to do. He was then able to work through until he was finished.

Answer 5

i hated algebra too.

but i did really well in geometry and trigenometry.

i think this is the reason why you and i do not like algebra:

because there is not enough repetition. they make it difficult for you to learn by not establishing a pattern for each different kind of problem. and just when you think you are beginning to understand a concept, they give you a new problem that is completely different looking- you can't use the same method to solve it. then you get stressed because you can't work it. then the stress makes you forget how to do what you did before. then you feel scummy and stupid. sound familiar?

my advice is to go slow- each day, work on only one type of problem. have your parents and teachers help you by asking them to provide homework that allows you to work the same kind of problem over and over until it sticks in your brain. i'd say about 50-100 similar problems a day. you might even need to do nothing but the same type of problem for 2 or 3 days.

another thing that would help is if you could get them to explain the goal of solving the problem. see, trig and geometry are easier because not only is the work repetitious, but you understand what the goal of solving the problem is. (For example, you want to know how tall a mountain is, but you only know how wide the base of the mountain is and how far you traveled to get to the top of it. If you do not know how tall the mountain is, you might not have enough oxygen in your oxygen tank to survive- so it's important that you know how far up into the atmosphere you are going to go!)

don't let algebra or any other subject make you feel dumb, just try your best.

(i had to go to college and pass a physics class to realize how smart i was!)

Answer 6

I was terrible in math as well. I needed tutors many times to help get me through. I think I was always trying to figure out why something worked-Just try to go with the flow.
I have since gone on and gotten a masters degree in Education. I was able to pass the required classes with help.
No class should cause you to feel bad. Just admit you do not understand and seek the help you need.
I have taught math and believe me I make sure I am patient and understanding when something is not understood.
Hang in there and tell yourself u can do it.

Answer 7

Ok here is what you do you go to your teacher and tell them you want to be tested to see exactly what level you are really working at> Don't get depressed get even! I was in 9th grade and then found out after I quit school that I was trying to do 9th grade math with a 3rd grade education so it is no wonder I couldn't seem to understand the darn thing. I was doing College English and this is pretty normal stuff so don't let it depress you just keep studying and go to kids who do understand it ask them to explain it so you can try and understand it. Go to your local GED Teacher's tell them you need extra help this helped out a kid I was in school with he graduated. If you are really --- REALLY DEPRESSED then stop and listen to me one second all this stuff is not going to kill you nor will it really make a hoot later on in your life but your at a stage that at least your admitting it's really begining to bother you therefore now you can get some help.You have alreadly come to the fact that YOU NEED EXTRA HELP now stop complaining and take action !!GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

One problem is you are expecting to have a tough year because you were told you would. Get extra tutoring, some teachers will meet with you after school to help. Sometimes a classroom setting just doesn't work for some people and they need one on one tutoring. As lame as it sounds, it's true that if you think you can't, you won't. Try to stay positive and ask questions.

Answer 9

Stress has a lot to do with it. I hated math and panicked during tests which made everything worse. I got through college taking as few classes as possible and just "knew" that I was stupid with numbers. Then my kids took algebra and as I tried to help them with homework found that I could understand things and that some of it was actually fun. Try to relax, take a deep breath and convince yourself that it's just like a jigsaw puzzle and that you only have to tackle one little piece at a time.

Answer 10

Unless you plan on being an Accountant, I wouldn't worry too much. Sure your parents are going to pressure you - and it's the teachers' job to try to make you learn - but you know what? I'm 31 years old and math has never made a big difference in my life. I have a decent job, I have a calculator. Anything the calculator can't figure out - well...that hasn't happened yet. AND I'M OLD!!
They are all lying to you. You will NOT need math when you grow up.
Don't worry so much.

Answer 11

You can always go to a tutoring center for extra help. Those people there are really nice and patient. They can help you in the areas that you don't understand. Check out Sylvan learning center at http://www.educate.com/homepage.cfm?CFID=19993837&CFTOKEN=90614366