6 answers
London
Student
Lehi, Utah
3
Questions
Asked
1542 views
Why is it hard to do math?
I'm in 7th grade and my first semester I had an A in math but now I have an F and I'm always under stress and I'm getting panic attacks because of it. I'm even writing this in math right now and I'm freaking out. Is there any way to make it more fun?
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6 answers
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
226
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Mathematics is a language, but it is not the natural language we use every day. It is a logical and symbolic language that is alien to most of us. Hence, we may find it difficult to handle at times.
On the other hand, like any natural languages we are familiar with, we can learn mathematical language through lots of practice. It is the same way we learn natural languages such as English.
At your grade level, you are learning the basic grammar and syntax of mathematical language. Do not panic. It takes years to get comfortable with our mother tongue. It will take time to get comfortable with mathematical language.
On the other hand, like any natural languages we are familiar with, we can learn mathematical language through lots of practice. It is the same way we learn natural languages such as English.
At your grade level, you are learning the basic grammar and syntax of mathematical language. Do not panic. It takes years to get comfortable with our mother tongue. It will take time to get comfortable with mathematical language.
Jose Fasciano
Product Management
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Jose’s Answer
I agree with what others have said about taking a breath. If you can, pause for a moment—even just a few slow breaths—and remind yourself that one class or one grade does not define you.
From my experience, math is only fun once it starts to make sense. It’s really hard (and stressful) when it feels like a bunch of random rules you’re supposed to memorize. Instead of just focusing on steps, try picking one topic and really understanding why it works, not just how to do it. When things finally “click,” math can actually feel kind of satisfying—like solving a puzzle.
Also, please know it’s okay to ask for help—from your teacher, a classmate, or even online videos. Lots of smart people struggle with math at some point, and it doesn’t mean you’re bad at it. You’re not alone, and this can get better.
From my experience, math is only fun once it starts to make sense. It’s really hard (and stressful) when it feels like a bunch of random rules you’re supposed to memorize. Instead of just focusing on steps, try picking one topic and really understanding why it works, not just how to do it. When things finally “click,” math can actually feel kind of satisfying—like solving a puzzle.
Also, please know it’s okay to ask for help—from your teacher, a classmate, or even online videos. Lots of smart people struggle with math at some point, and it doesn’t mean you’re bad at it. You’re not alone, and this can get better.
Will Xue, CFA
Manager at PwC
105
Answers
Updated
Will’s Answer
Hi Lehi,
Take a breath—you are okay right now. Panic makes your brain act like there’s an emergency when there isn’t one. Put your feet on the floor, breathe in for 4, hold for 2, and out for 6, a couple times. An F does not define you, and it does not erase the A you had before. This feeling will pass, even if it feels overwhelming in the moment.
Getting back to an A is possible because you’ve already done it before. Focus on one topic at a time, get help early from a teacher or videos, and practice in short, calm sessions instead of stressing for hours. Tell an adult that math is causing panic—support matters. When stress goes down, grades usually go up. This is a setback, not the end of the story.
Good luck!
Take a breath—you are okay right now. Panic makes your brain act like there’s an emergency when there isn’t one. Put your feet on the floor, breathe in for 4, hold for 2, and out for 6, a couple times. An F does not define you, and it does not erase the A you had before. This feeling will pass, even if it feels overwhelming in the moment.
Getting back to an A is possible because you’ve already done it before. Focus on one topic at a time, get help early from a teacher or videos, and practice in short, calm sessions instead of stressing for hours. Tell an adult that math is causing panic—support matters. When stress goes down, grades usually go up. This is a setback, not the end of the story.
Good luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2440
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Review the material covered in the class every day. If you have any questions, ask the teacher in next school day.
2. Complete all the assignments.
3. Do more practice. Find some supplemental exercise to do more. Practise makes perfect!
4. Find some past papers to do more practice before assessment.
5. Form study group with your classmates.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Review the material covered in the class every day. If you have any questions, ask the teacher in next school day.
2. Complete all the assignments.
3. Do more practice. Find some supplemental exercise to do more. Practise makes perfect!
4. Find some past papers to do more practice before assessment.
5. Form study group with your classmates.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Jake Robinson
External Recruiting
2
Answers
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jake’s Answer
Hi London! I liked Will's advice here - whenever you're feeling that overwhelming sense of panic, make sure you take some deep breaths and be able to calm down.
The first thing is making sure you're doing enough inside and outside the classroom - when you're in Math class, make sure you're paying extra attention to the teacher and asking any questions that you have. Do all of the in-class exercises you can, and don't just shrug if you don't get all the answers right.
It's also incredibly important to look and listen at how your peers are solving the problems. Often times, the way a friend thinks will be a lot closer to how you think than how a teacher does. So try to learn from them, do study groups, etc. And a lot of the times learning with your friends makes it 10 times more fun too! You can make Kahoots together, do Quizlets and any other thing that works. Just make sure you're staying focused too.
And while you of course need to complete all necessary homework, you might have to do more work than that every night to make sure you're getting to the place you need to be.
The moral of the story here is to make sure you're doing everything you can on paper, but talk to your family, teachers, and other trusted people to get the help you need. They're all here for you, and you can do this!!
The first thing is making sure you're doing enough inside and outside the classroom - when you're in Math class, make sure you're paying extra attention to the teacher and asking any questions that you have. Do all of the in-class exercises you can, and don't just shrug if you don't get all the answers right.
It's also incredibly important to look and listen at how your peers are solving the problems. Often times, the way a friend thinks will be a lot closer to how you think than how a teacher does. So try to learn from them, do study groups, etc. And a lot of the times learning with your friends makes it 10 times more fun too! You can make Kahoots together, do Quizlets and any other thing that works. Just make sure you're staying focused too.
And while you of course need to complete all necessary homework, you might have to do more work than that every night to make sure you're getting to the place you need to be.
The moral of the story here is to make sure you're doing everything you can on paper, but talk to your family, teachers, and other trusted people to get the help you need. They're all here for you, and you can do this!!
Thank you, Jake!
London
Sanjay Kumar
Software Developer
2
Answers
Dehradun
Updated
Sanjay’s Answer
First, Relax!
Think positive about mathematics. Relate your problem to real life. This way you will be able to create interest in maths.Practice is the key.Start with the most basic concept. Incremental learning , step by step will help you.
But..
At first, do not think, Maths is a hard subject..
Think positive about mathematics. Relate your problem to real life. This way you will be able to create interest in maths.Practice is the key.Start with the most basic concept. Incremental learning , step by step will help you.
But..
At first, do not think, Maths is a hard subject..