i hate math, i have to do it. how do i motivate myself?

Question

i'm behind in math (homeschooling) and need to catch up. I want to do an average of a few lessons a day, which requires a lot of motivation. i'm not too motivated in the math department because i've had trouble in the past (bad cycle, i need to stop). once i've been taught a concept by a competent teacher, i'm very good which leads me to believe that i have a natural talent for math. for instance, i can do multi-digit multiplication in my head, along with simple algebra. i'm also much more logical (personality trait that hints at mathematical talent) in everyday encounters, as opposed to a "feeler" like most women.. but i still procrastinate math.. i put it off like the plague. i'm almost afraid of it. it's sad because once i start doing it, i can find myself enjoying the simplicity and rawness of it all.. and usefulness and practicality. but this isn't enough to get me going!! what do i do? please don't suggest something like a rewards system or w/e.. won't work with me.

i see how useful it is..i see how its linked to science, which i am absolutely enthralled and captivated by. i see how it would make me more prepare for life.i'm a very curious person and math is the answer to many of my questions (ie, i was just staring at a skirt hanging in my closet and would love to know how to calculate the volume of the skirt if i cut off the hem by 3 inches and added 4 yards of taffetta..largely useless, but i do have an insatiable need for knowledge)... PLUS i NEED to know for the SSAT's (boarding school admissions) and the SAT's..i need to know. i have an intensive academic plan which includes college biology & chemistry (i'm 15) and skipping about 3 grade levels in one year.. and i'm doing great so far.. except i haven't even STARTED the math! (i've been in "school"..independent study..for 2 weeks) im supposed to do 2 hours of math a day (assignment, not my own goal) and need to MASTER elementry algebra by the middle of October..im on chapter 4 w/ 7 to go.

my IQ is 154.. i should be a pro at math. but rather, i can memorize a couple hundred vocab words every few days and find the innuendos of any piece of literariness. i'm good at writing (that's my "thing".. along with art and deep thinking) and i still think i have a natural talent for math but i'm veryyyyy very stubborn and i'm constantly questioning my teachers with algebra. i will have actual arguments with them over the logic of each concept.. they always tell me something along the lines of, "just do it, just do it, don't try to find your own formula, don't do it your way even if your way is easier because this is the way the book is teaching it and you need to do it.. you need to show your work, you can't do work in your head" this has been going on since i was in 2nd grade.. i've always challenged orthodox textbooks and have a hard time JUST DOING IT.. JUST BECAUSE.. i feel that once i get over this hump, once i start excelling at math, that i will have a much easier time.

Answer 1

Try to find math in everyday life. Interest in a topic is most spawned by utility in real life situations. Math really is boring. I actually don't study much in math, but I survive math exams by giving myself mock exams and just getting the feel of how they are solved. The best way to learn is through experience, and not through listening to someone else. Good luck!

Answer 2

Wow! You sound like a real bright spark! I just started University this year at 27 years old. I have a compulsory statistics paper to take for my major and it scared the hell out of me at first. Now that I have gotten the hang of it and dug up all the high school maths memories from 12 years ago, I am loving it. It scared me at first and I still hate going to lectures even though I enjoy it once I get there. I think you just need to remind yourself that it is useful and you don't really have a choice about it. Set yourself a time during the day that you promise to stick to and start your math then. Like you said, once you get into it, you're fine. There is no interpretation as there is in art which makes it a fairly straight forward and easy subject. All the best for your future, it sounds like you will go far =)

Answer 3

I ALWAYS hated math and easily found myself distracted when I was younger. Unfortunately for me-I never at least tried to be motivated and once I decided to go BACK to college for a different degree found myself playing alot of catchup.I had to pay alot of money to learn the skills I had skirted by while I was younger and actually had the time to do it. If anything can help at all let it be this-you actually will appreciate it when you get older and now is the time to force yourself to be disciplined enough to learn these crucial skills.

Answer 4

If you hate math then whatever you are gonna do in life is not gonna be related to math, right? Think of what you want to do in life, then enjoy doing what you like and screw the rest. Your probbalbly not going to need it, and if you do, it will probbably just be the basics. Einstein used to do poorly in school except for math and science because he hated the other stuff and enjoyed what he liked & he finished being one of the brightest.

Answer 5

Since you already hate math, do you really need to motivate yourself further??

Maths is a very interesting and useful subject. To get to like it, you gotta flunk a couple of exams. then necessity being the mother of all inventions, you will automatically take a liking to it.

Best of luck

Answer 6

Think that ur iq is really high and it can do math really easily, like math is the one thing u can really exvel at, and that u small school math is not worty of ur intellect. It helps, if u truly believe in it.

Answer 7

Just do it and get it out of the way.

Answer 8

you need a change of scene