Tips in Achieving Success in Math

Math is a subject that can sometimes be a struggle for students to understand. From solving logarithms to analyzing conics, the amount of information a student needs to retain in order to succeed is vast and can be overbearing. However, as much of a struggle math can be for some students, being able to understand its different concepts and utilize them effectively is vital for success now and in the future. This is why I wanted to comprise a list of tips to help those who struggle with math.

I contacted Mrs. Fernandez, who teaches Honors Algebra 2, Honors Pre-Calculus, and AP Statistics, to see if she could provide some pointers for students that she believes will aid them in achieving success in grade improvement and concept comprehension.

Mrs. Fernandez explains that knowing and remembering your math vocabulary is essential in understanding a math concept because, as she claims, math is like learning a new language. In order to understand and achieve fluency in a language, an individual must learn the vocabulary, so that they are able to speak, read, and write without difficulty. Math is really not that much different from this. For example, to properly solve all areas of matrices, I must be able to explain what matrix inverses and determinants are and what Row-Echelon Form and Reduced-Row Echelon Form mean.

Mrs. Fernandez also states that asking teachers questions right away, attending tutoring, taking advantage of test corrections, and utilizing a pencil will allow students to attain high grades and be successful in math. By asking questions right away, students can easily clear up any confusion that will hinder them from struggling in future lessons, and, utilizing pencil, any mistakes a student makes can be cleared and allow them a sense of organization. Attending tutoring and participating in test corrections give students the best advantage in achieving higher test scores.

Math is not an easy subject for many. I  understand how difficult it can be to comprehend the diverse and complex concepts in math. However, I believe students can succeed as long as they do their best and focus on improvement. Good luck, Knights!