Ways to do better in Maths: 7 tips for school-age students

By: Hem Kumar

Date Published: July 23, 2020

Last Updated: July 23, 2020

Maths is considered an important subject in the modern-day curriculum. Parents and guardians want their children to have good concepts and foundations in Maths. They want their children to improve in maths. This is so because Mathematics helps to build mental discipline and introduces kids to have good logical reasoning. Some kids enjoy learning and doing maths while there are others who get into some kind of pressure or the other in the maths class or feel like avoiding doing maths. Those students who do not develop an interest in doing maths may start developing anxieties while attempting maths questions as they think that they may not get the answers right or have difficulties in understanding what is being taught in the class. They also tend to avoid revising what is taught in school. Whenever their parents ask them to do self-study they prefer to do other subjects like English or History but not Maths. Everyone is curious to know if there are proven ways of being better at maths for school-age students. There are several ways by which students can start doing better in maths. One can start at any age or class but earlier the better. The following 7 ways are detailed here. If any student follows these 7 ways then the performance in Maths will start improving within 12 weeks for a majority of the students. Here are 7 tips for performing well in maths.

1. Schedule 40 minutes every day for doing maths sums

One should schedule 40 minutes every day for maths. Regular practice can help anyone do better in maths. Preferably, one can mark a fixed time to practice maths. Whatever time the student is comfortable after school hours, that time the student should have a worksheet ready and practice for 40 minutes. Worksheets should be included in the self-study lesson plans for at least three months in advance. In case the student is not sure how to get worksheets or is not sure on what topics the worksheets should be based then in such cases the student can take the help of his/her school teacher or may hire an IB online tutor who can make worksheets in a planned way on the topics the student is learning in school or has already learned in the previous classes. These worksheets should preferably in a printed format and the student should attempt and finish the worksheets in writing.

2. Trust yourself - be confident

If you have ever wondered how to improve maths then the best way is to trust yourself. No need to fear from Maths. Whatever level you may be in Maths with respect to basics and other fundamental concepts, you can easily advance yourself through step by step learning and practice. It is normal for any school-age child to compare themselves with their peers. There is absolutely no need to build a self-belief that you are not as good as your peer in maths. You should believe in yourself and continue trying to improve your math skills. Many a time a school-age child needs little guidance or push in the right direction. Try doing some maths together with your parents every week. This way your parents will be able to see and assess what problems you may be facing. They may advise you accordingly to attend extra classes in school or else they may also arrange the services of an experienced and qualified tutor who may provide you with the required help and guidance to help you understand maths easily.

3. Interact with the maths teacher in the school - be attentive in the class

Students who lack any concept tend to interact less with the teacher when that particular concept is being taught in school. They may think that if they interact with the teacher then the teacher might ask them to solve a question independently and they may fumble and may not come up with the correct answers. Make sure to interact with the maths teacher in the school for 2-3 minutes during every class. When you ask questions or clarify your doubts with the teacher in the school then such learning will remain with you in the long run and you will be able to do maths easily.

4. Mental revision

Mental revision for the concepts already learned or the concepts one is learning help in reinforcing the concepts and such concepts remain in your memory for a long period of time. While doing routine activities you must do a mental revision of the concepts that you already know or you are learning in school. You may try to recall some of the basic formulas related to interset and money, trigonometrical ratios, or else you may just want to make some mental notes related to bearings or geometry.

5. Draw flowcharts to comprehend the maths problems you are attempting

Whenever you are attempting a question in maths, underline the key variables. Draw a flowchart so as to what information is given and what is being asked to calculate. Think of any related concept and formula that might be used to solve such problems. Practice making equations where there is one unknown.

6. Redo the solved problems without referring to the solution

It is always a good idea to redo the solved problems without referring to them. Go through your school notebook. In the class, the teacher must have made the class solve certain questions. Copy the question on a separate piece of paper or a notebook. Close the source of the solved problem and now try to redo and attempt 5 such questions at a time. Once you have attempted all the 5 questions then match your answers with the ones which were there at the solved examples. Mark the questions where the answers are not matching. Review what went wrong so that you may be able to identify where you made a mistake.

7. Find a mentor

Look for a mentor. It can be one of your peers at school who may be good at maths. Maybe one of your parents is also good at maths and can help you practice and understand more and more questions. A number of expert and qualified private one-on-one tutors are also available. Request your parents if they can coordinate with one of them to coach you face to face or through online live tutoring.

To do better in maths during the formative years of one's life, a school-age student should follow the above ways. Results may start coming sooner than expected and you may find yourself to be not only a favorite student of your class teacher but also to become topper in maths.