What can I do about my math fear?

Question

Hi. For as long as i can remember I have not been to math savvy. I remember getting it, and then forgetting it. I have tried to do all i can. Tutors, extra tutoring, practice, and I do ok at home. when I take tests, I feel like I get it, but then I end up failing them. i dont feel nervous. I really dont like to tell myself I have a mah fear, but I see that there are times when I get overwhelmed by it. I've tried to change y negative thinking, but my low test scores reinforce that I'm not understanding something. What Can I do ? why Do i feel like mathis hard! this ismy only trouble area. I feel like its holding me back. Help! Ive failed math before, twice, and its not because I'm slow, but because of this problem. If I dont get a grip on it, I can end up failing college because I am inlearning support, and this is my last attempt. Why is it giving me such a hard time?

Answer 1

I took a math class with my mom in college. While we were doing homework together, she was teaching me how to do it, did everything right at home, but when it came time for the tests, I would get an A and she would get a D or F. I had to start psyching her up for the tests. I'd be like - yeah, you know it, just let Dr. Finks try to fool you, you're too smart for his tricks, and all that kind of bit. But when she went in to take the test with the attitude that teach was trying to trick her and she was too smart for that, she did really well on the tests. You may not have a fear of math itself, but of failing math. Try to stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Try making your own "tests" at home putting the hardest problems on it and practice. Then go in to the class room with a tough-*** attitude, be confident, don't second-guess yourself and erase the right answers, and GO FOR IT! Math isn't hard once you learn to believe in your abilities. Proove your abilities to yourself at home with your home tests, then you'll be ok.
Good luck!

Answer 2

You might be suffering from a false sense of getting it. I've done that too... you walk through the problem and you think you get it but then you're on your own and you say, "Okay, what am I suppose to do?"

The only solution and I mean ONLY solution to this is to practice, practice, PRACTICE. Complete your homework assignment and than do more problems. Ask you teacher to give you more probelms. Seriously, practice till you know exactly what to do in a given situation. Take tests at home and TIME them and GRADE them. Don't act like "I know this stuff" and I don't need to practice because your test results show that is not the case.

And always always ALWAYS be neat. Write EVERY thing down... even the smallest step so when you check your work (and DO CHECK YOUR WORK) you can see if you made a mistake.

If you do this you will become "Bigger" than the math. You will become the MASTER of the math and not the other way around. Logic and mathematics will be your weapon and you will be able to stare down any problem that might face. Believe me, that's an incredible feeling.

I know it ain't easy but there isn't an easy solution.

Answer 3

I don't really know if this will help you, but when I had the same problem you do my best friend and I were in the same college Algebra class. We would get together @ our houses or over speaker phones and work the same problems @ the same time and compare answers. We would also make each other practice tests and exchange them. When our grades started going up, there was about 7 other ppl. in class that got involved in our studying also. We all ended up passing the class with A's or B's. It really did help considering most of us D's or F's to begin with. I had hated Algebra and any kind of math for so long until that time that it finally clicked and now I am a tutor. Believe me you are not the only one! lol It does get better.

Answer 4

you probably are right-brained. Math is more analytical and digital like (people who are good at math are also good at spelling, making lists, etc.)

if you do ok at home, then it's probably because it's a no pressure zone. You fail the tests when you're at school. So it may not be the math itself, but your anxiety over taking the tests.

When you get there, do you forget everything you studied?

you need to take the tests where it is a no pressure area, and you are in comfort, same is at home.

If you have studied the material enough already, then have you thought about suggesting that to your teacher? Taking the test at his office hours? Tell them you are extremely bad at testing and would like the private time alone to concentrate if it's ok with them.

and have you ever worked in groups, with this math? That often takes away some of the anxiety 'cause now you can watch others make mistakes, and learn from theirs, while improving your own work.

I think the biggest problem is like you said, not the math, but getting down that fear of the math. It may even be your fear that is preventing you from retaining the information. Because you're already doubting yourself and that you can't do it, and you lose the information. That's self-esteem issues, and you might wanna talk to somebody other than a math teacher, other than a teacher, but someone who is very close to you, but knows how to do math and knows your potential.

They can help build your math skills and your confidence in it, at the same time. Some people can't do that, you know.

Answer 5

I'm hoping you've already done this, but have you tried talking to your teacher about your tests? Maybe they can walk you through the ones you're getting wrong and help you figure out what the problem is. Maybe it's not a math problem, but a reading/numbers problem. Sometimes when I read numbers I mix them up (sort of like dislexia) so I have always had to read problems over a couple of times to make sure I'm understanding them. Maybe it's something like that, and it's only a problem under the stress of a test. Talking to a teacher might really help.

Good luck!

Answer 6

ask your fren to write down the questions for you and then tell them to sit in front you while you take the test in front of them.

Answer 7

do not think of it like a test think of it like a class