MATHirap No More! Tips on How to Study Math Better

Mathematics is everywhere. Everything has math. Even your daily travels involve math. While the beauty of mathematics is it puts life in order, most students will always see the chaos that math subjects bring in their lives.

No one blames anyone. Math, indeed, is a difficult subject, and the first thing you will learn is how frustration is directly proportional to the number of times you do trial-and-error with equations.

But just like what mathematics itself would tell us, all problems have solutions. There are ways you can improve your learning in the subject. With these six tips, you may finally find the best way for you to understand – and hopefully love – mathematics.

1. Know your Learning style.

Make a quick assessment of yourself. Are you an audio learner? A visual learner? A combination of both? Observe yourself. Knowing what kind of learner you are will help you decide what studying strategy works best for you.  If you are having a hard time figuring out your learning style, you can take this quiz: https://bit.ly/2wEc8h6

2. Watch. Learn. Apply.

If you need more lectures to understand a particular lesson, consider Youtube as your friend. There are online video lectures that cover various math topics and even demonstrate solutions to sample problems. Visit the channels of MIT OpenCourseWare, CrashCourse, Khan Academy, PatrickJMT, the Video Math Tutor, etc.

3. Get some online help.

Aside from online video lectures, there’s so much you can do to learn online for free. There are websites and applications that could help you solve mathematical problems, showing step-by-step solutions or explanations on how to come up with the final answers. Websites and applications include Symbolab, Mathway, Integral Calculator, Derivative Calculator, Wolfram Alpha, and Desmos.

4. Learn from your peers.

There’s no better way to study than to have an interactive learning with your peers. Join study groups or peer groups to discuss math lessons. At Mapúa University, two organizations –SHS Math Club (for senior high school) and Mathematical Society of Mapúa (for colleges) – have established “peer tutorials” wherein students who excell in math volunteer to teach their fellow students who attend the activity. They help other students answer difficult math problems.

5. Know your calculator.

Of course, you will need your reliable bestfriend – your calculator. Not all calculators are the same. It’s better that you familiarize yourself with your calculator’s functions in order to maximize its use.

6. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

“Failure is nothing more than a chance to revise your strategy.” You might feel as if your previous examinations were a disappointment or a failure. But look at them as an opportunity for you to know more and do better. Go over the difficult items and see where you made a mistake. Review, ask help from your peers, and redo the problems until you arrive at the correct solution or answer.

We hope these tips, together with a great amount of patience, discipline, and diligence, will help you ace your next Mathematics exam.