Joe’s Jotter - How to Improve Your Maths in Eight Short Steps

Topics: Maths

Sources: ACE Maths Tuition

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Joe’s Jotter - How to Improve Your Maths in Eight Short Steps

ACE Maths Tuition - Joe McCormack

Joe’s Jotter: How to Improve your Maths in 8 Short Steps

Maths is a subject that the majority of students study in Secondary School. However, we all actually use it more in everyday life than we think. Estimating, Banking, Budgeting, Shopping etc. Some love it, many hate it.

Many 3rd level courses have a module on it and it creeps into other subjects in surprising ways. So, what are best ways to learn it?

Looking at notes and books won’t help in learning Maths. It’s all about attacking problems with a pen and paper as best you can; be willing to fail and go again. Here are my seven short tips to become more successful at Maths.

1.   Continual Practice.

Start with easy questions – revise topics you feel comfortable with and then ramp up to something more complicated. Write out little examples from your book or ones the Teacher gave you. Really think about each step. If you have a set of fully worked solutions to questions, look at line one and then go back and try to do lines two and three yourself. My ACE Maths Solutions 2027 (Junior & Leaving) at www.acesolutionbooks.com are ideal for this.

2.   Get a Teacher to Check your Work.

Feedback on what you are doing wrong is vital in Maths. Some little tips here and there can be the difference when struggling through a topic. Be sure to hand question attempts to your teacher or tutor. Once they show you the mistake, write down what they said, so as not to make the same errors next time. It’s a slow process.

3.   Understanding is better than Memory.

Once you know a solution is correct, try and understand each step. Maths isn’t like other subjects where you can memorise things. It is not a ‘rote’ learning subject. Try to understand why your teacher or tutor has gone from one step to the next and be sure to ask if you are confused in any way. They will be more than happy to re explain.

4. Doubts are Normal when Studying Maths.

Often we doubt ourselves during Maths questions, wondering am I going down the right method route at all. This is perfectly normal. If you are confident in the method, stick with and finish it out. Remember, Maths is one of the few subjects where there are more marks for the steps (the process), than the actual final answer. Keep going to the end, remembering that sometimes the answer can look odd or unfamiliar. Believe in yourself.

5. Be Patient with Yourself.

Be patient with yourself in this subject. Use the information in the question if you get stuck. Re-read the question or diagram if you stumble again. You may need to try different ways to crack the puzzle. Be willing to invest time.

6. You will need to Concentrate.

Maths is a subject that requires more concentration than any other. A proper study environment and a distraction free revision area allows the mind to explore different solution routes better. No phones (sorry folks!).

7. Create your own little Book of Revision Notes.

Use hardbacks, flashcards and postits to record key learnings, formula’s and methods. I always say to my students ‘You will never remember it if you don’t write it down’. In my business, I write daily reminders and notes to myself.

8. Find out its Links to the Real World.

As much as possible, try to visualise Maths as a real-world problem. Maths can be very abstract (and almost strange) sometimes, so looking for a practical application from everyday life can help change your perspective.

Ask your teacher or tutor where a concept may occur or be important in an everyday life scenario – this will greatly help your understanding of the topic and make it more real and interesting for you.

Above all, believe in yourself. You can do this step-by-step; you will get there. Never stop trying.

Reach out to me for advice or help. My Higher Maths Classes for 3rd, 5th & 6th years are ongoing in Ratoath and Online.

Joe. 😊
ACE Maths Tuition. (086) 4076495

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