HOPELESS.......Please be kind enough to HELP??

Question

Ok it seems that since I was a little kid I have been hopeless at Math! My dad and little brother have a real talent for it, but my mom, me, and my older brother are not big Math fans. However, neither are as bad as me.
Ever since I can remember, it has been A's in everything, and then a fat old B in Math to ruin it for me. Now I am in High School as a freshman and taking Algebra 1.
I have a 73 (probably lower now) in Math and I'm scared it'll go down even more. I try at Math but then I end up getting a, say, 70 in what I worked ard for and I feel like giving up.
Whenever I sit down to that Math homework or that big test, I ust cannot bring myself to study.
Let's say I know a test is a week away. I leave it all till the day before the test. Then I skim through the chapter and say, "Oh! I know this, this, this....." without actually trying the problems. They look so easy then!
But when the test arrives in front of me, I blank or choke. I forget EVERYTHING.

I'm worried because I'm in High School now and grades count for alot.
This is bringing my GPA down and is the only subject in which I have a C.
Please help! How do I strengthen my Math skills??

I even stayed for afterschool help and got a 68! On two tests in a row!
I'm failing all my quizzes and even my homework is in the 70s and 80s. Help!!

Answer 1

Great question. Something you have to understand with mathematics is it cannot be learned in the same way as, say, history. Logic is processed by your brain in a differnt way as memory.
When you skim something, your memory is being activated, not the logical section of your brain. The logical section of your brain is difficult to develop, but every single person has this challenge. It must be built slowly.
Research has shown that almost no one, from Fields Medal winners (math geniuses) to high school students, is capable of learning mathematics by cramming. You have to study daily; perhaps 20 minutes a day. NEVER READ. Reading activates memory sections of your brain; as does writing notes. You must solve problems. There is no exception.
Stop reading the word problem; solve it. When you get it right, try to solve it again in a slightly different way. Then do another problem and do the same thing. Each time you solve it you must solve it all the way to completion, not part of the way. If you do it part of the way you are excercising the memory sections of your brain which will not help you.

Finally, consider this. I am getting my PhD in mathematics. I still get frustrated; frequently. A critical skill in making yourself a better person, and being better at math to boot, is learning to focus through frustration, to calm yourself. It is a skill, not a trait, and you can learn it. But it takes time. Be patient, andkeep working. I was a terrible math student in high school -- C's and D's. Then I graduated from the University with Honors in Mathematics. Anyone can learn this ...

Answer 2

First - RELAX!!!!

When you look at a math book, realize it is just a language used to describe and quantify almost everything. How did you do in Spanish class? It describes Physics, Chemistry, Music, History, driving, clothes shopping, downloading computer stuff, etc.
Now, don't you want to know about all these other things?

On your time off, like when you are in the mood for popcorn and a movie, for example, pick up you math book for a few moments - look at what you need to study. Don't do any work - just look. See if anything makes you have a question about something. Look at the easy questions you do understand. Lets say you see 'x = 4x - 7'. Just see if you can do that question in your head without paper and pencil. Get used to seeing it in a relaxed state of mind. Slow down a little bit when you do math.

Don't worry about your grades. If you get a C in Drawing class, so what? So you are an average drawer. You don't need straight A's. A big old fat 'B' in math is nothing to brush aside. A big old fat 'B' is really good. I wish I had gotten a big old fat 'B' in my 3rd level Calculus class or Differential Equation class. I got an 'F' in Diffy Q the first time I took it. I got an 'A' the second time. One of the first tests I had in college was in Thermodynamics - I totally froze - I couldn't remember a thing. I wrote my name on it and handed in a blank test - literally - totally blank. I realized that it's not what I learned in college that really counts. It's learning how dumb I am. No one is the 'best'. Someone is always smarter, dumber, faster, slower. Don't worry about it. I ended up graduating with a degree in Thermodynamic Engineering, and became an Industrial Energy Consultant for the 35 largest industrial companies in Chicago. President Bush graduated college with a 'C' average.

Have you heard the joke, 'What do you call the guy who graduated last in medical school?' You call him doctor. :-)

Answer 3

It sounds like you have probly already tried getting help from your teacher(if you havnt do that pronto), so, If your tests are by the chapter, im sure there are end of chapter quesions to practice. Not to be a smartass but 'PRACTICE' not skim over. I know it sounds like a lot of hassel, but it sounds like you realy care about your grades so give it a try. Something else, I personaly do, is get the correct answers to old homework and tests on the ones you missed and figured out why you missed it.
I am a math and science major in college and I still do that just to improve as much as possible.
If you ever get to lost on something and think I can help, you can e-mail me at texasstopsigna@yahoo, and I will try my best to help.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I've tutored math for over 3 years in all age groups from 1st -college - adults returning to school.
I'll tell you what I tell them.

-Start fresh. Forget that you don't like math and haven't done well in it because that is going to keep you in a negative mentality. Start studying with a positive mindset. This may sound hard but it can be as simple as repeatedly telling yourself. " I can learn this. I can understand this. I can do this." When you get to your test, tell yourself. " I know this. I can do this.) Fear only cripples you.

-Practice. Once math concept can lead to an infinite number of problems. So just looking at it and saying you know it isn't enough. you have to practice practice practice so that you can fully understand it and know how to identify when you use it. When you study. Work out the problems at the end of the chapter. It may take a while but you'll understand it better becaus of it. Also give yourself the end of chapter tests to see if you can do everything in that chapter and don't allow yourself to look back at the chapter or notes for help. Even timing yourself will help you feel like you're taking a test in class so when you get to your in class test you won't be as nervous.

-Help others understand it. I'm a witness that tutoring or explaining information to others helps you understand it better. If there is someone in your class who doesn't understand something that you think you understand, offer to work with them and while you are explaining what you know to them, you're solidifying it in your own mind. You'll have to find creative ways to explain it and I can assure you, you'll start understanding it so much better after putting it in words 2 or 3 different ways. It also forces you to put the work in your own words and not the words of the textbook or teacher.

By the way....if you're having trouble in math (or any subject for that matter) procrastination will not help you. You need to set aside time everyday to study in subjects that are harder for you. Also try tutoring or homework help centers.
Good luck.

Answer 5

OK, I have kids your age. Here, if they asked, is what I would say.
I was always good in Math (straight A thru college). BUT, it was because I PRACTICED and WORKED at it. I worked out each and every problem even I already knew how to do it. I did practically every problem in the text book assigned or not.

Michael Jordan, the basketball genius, has a quote " There is no short cut ..." in basketball and there is not short cut in Math.

Here is another quote: "I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results."
Michael Jordan

Good Luck and study hard. YOU WILL GET As. I did.

Answer 6

i took beginning algebra 3 times, and then repeated almost every math class 2 or more times. finally when i got to calculus i started
getting a's. You have to work at it until you understand it. Don't worry you will.

My solution was to do every problem in the book for homework.
Then go back through them until they are memorized and second
nature. That will work 100% ... but it takes commitment.

If you really want to be a math whiz, and then later be way
better than most people, and get better jobs and be able
to help people with math in later life and later classes follow
my advice. Math is a good way to train yourself to think.

The choking on tests is anxiety from nerves and unfamiliarity
with the problems.

Answer 7

I feel for ya. I was the same way and still am to this day! I struggle to retain what I've learned.

Ask your parents if you can get a private tutor. Obviously staying after class isn't enough. You need some real one-on-one outside of the school environment. I had a local college student working with me and it made all the difference. I still can't retain it worth a hoot but at least I understand it and can pass the class with a decent grade.

Answer 8

the easy part of math is the basic add, sub., mult, and divide. now you are past that and are getting into formulas and veriables and the fun stuff. the best way to strengthen you skills is to use them.... do you homework and then do some extras too. i know you want to avoid the math, but it will not go away and it only gets harder from here. Practice and ask the teacher to show you some tricks..... remember doing it makes you better than just looking at it.

Answer 9

Have you talked to your teacher? I'm sure he/she will have some ideas to help you. If not, consider hiring a tutor. Or, just get with a friend who is really good at math and ask them to show you some tricks. Don't let it get you down. I know several people who were terrified of math at first, but eventually got the hang of it. Good luck!

Answer 10

You sound like someone who works harder at convincing yourself that you're bad at math, than at trying to get better at it. Next time you have to study, don't assume you know the stuff - sit down and do the problems. That's how you'll get better. If you just keep repeating the "I suck at math" mantra it will inevitably come true.

Also, listen to what john_lewin above me has to say. It it so true.