Ten study tips to boost your maths grade - Part 2 of 2
Do you want to boost your maths success rate? This post is for you!
Get ready to uncover five powerful tips to up your maths game — building on the five strategies introduced in part one of this series. Dive in and let’s keep building that momentum!
Understand, don’t memorise
Understanding maths — not just memorising steps — is essential for mastering it and building lasting skills. While memorisation can help with specific problems, maths is cumulative, with each concept building on the last. Students who rely solely on memorisation often struggle with unfamiliar questions, lacking the foundation to adapt. But when you understand why a method works, you’re better prepared to tackle varied problems and apply knowledge across topics, from algebra to calculus.
True understanding also sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills useful beyond maths class. It allows you to break down complex challenges, see patterns, and learn new material more easily. Memorisation, on the other hand, is a “house of cards” — if one piece is missing, the solution can collapse. Choosing understanding over memorisation builds a resilient skill set that benefits you in all areas of life.
Spend your time wisely
Some students repeatedly solve the same kinds of exercises. They spend a lot of time sticking with familiar types of problems, which gives them a false sense of security.
Variety is key. Identify specific topics or types of problems where you’re struggling and dedicate extra time to mastering them. It’s tempting to avoid them, but improvement in these areas can significantly raise your grades.
If you’re unsure where your weaknesses lie, analyse graded tests and assignments to spot patterns in errors. Look for types of problems you frequently miss or specific topics where you lose points, as these areas often indicate gaps in understanding. Alternatively, take a few timed practice exams and analyse the results to see where you need the most improvement.
Bring maths to life
Using visual aids in mathematics, such as diagrams and graphs, is essential for making abstract concepts more accessible and intuitive. Visual representations allow to see relationships and patterns that might be harder to grasp through numbers and equations alone.
In geometry, diagrams can clarify properties of shapes and the relationships between angles, lines, and surfaces. In calculus, graphs bring functions to life, illustrating concepts like limits, derivatives, and integrals in a concrete way.
By engaging with visual aids, students gain a deeper understanding and can solve problems more effectively, bridging the gap between abstract ideas and real-world applications.
Solve first, compare later
One day, a student came to me with 23 pages, each with a single handwritten maths problem at the top and the rest of the page blank. He explained that he’d attempted the problems but, feeling lost, hadn’t written anything down and hoped I could provide all the answers.
However, mastering mathematics requires working through exercises independently—every step you take deepens your understanding and builds confidence. Resist the urge to peek at solutions until you’ve invested solid effort in solving the problem yourself. Then, check your own work thoroughly before comparing it to any answer key. This approach helps you catch errors early, refine your methods, and build accuracy, equipping you with the problem-solving skills needed in exams, where no solutions are available for reference.
Don’t stay stuck
Many students feel too shy to ask questions in class, worried that speaking up might make them appear less intelligent in front of their peers. This hesitation often extends beyond the classroom, with students reluctant to approach their teacher or lecturer afterward. However, getting answers to your questions is essential to avoid falling behind.
While solving exercises independently is invaluable for learning, there are times when you hit a roadblock — when you’re unsure how to start or find yourself stuck partway through. If, after a reasonable effort, you’re still unable to resolve the problem, reach out for help from a classmate, teacher, or maths coach. Learning how to tackle these challenges will strengthen your understanding and boost your confidence.
In this two-part series, I’ve outlined 10 essential tips to elevate your maths study skills. Applying these strategies will help you develop an effective workflow and raise your maths grade. Looking to achieve even higher results? Stay tuned for an upcoming series with advanced techniques to maximise your maths performance.
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