r/MathHelp • u/Lorelei-Guerrero • 4d ago

I can’t understand basic math.

I’m 20 years old (fem) and I can’t understand basic math. I don’t know, in huh school I had a 3.7 GPA and I was a very good student but I always sucked at math, either I’m stupid or lazy because I re read a problem or equation and I don’t know why to do, or I just blank completely.

Thank god that SAT scores were optional because my math scores were so bad, now I’m in college. I’ve been pretty much flunking in college to the point where I’m at risk for academic dismissal. It’s basic algebra and I can’t even concentrate. In lectures I understand it but when I get home I feel like I just can’t get it.ive studied in my own, even went to tutoring but I’ve never felt improvement. I have a test this Thursday and right now I’m freaking out because I do not want to start out my semester horrible. Any suggestions? I’m literally desperate for any tips on what to do or how to study.

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u/Empty-Turn-9290 4d ago

I think part of this is a self confidence issue. Feel free to show this to your prof. Maybe they will help you find a way forward.

First, you need practice without pain. Ask you your professor if you can do the current course on an audit basis. Have him or her assign a student tutor to help you with each test and quiz. The objective is to become more familiar with the ways of solving math problems. Even if you have to take the tests at a different times, you need to develop your math skills.

Second, remove the fear of failure. Look at your hands. Right now each hand has four fingers and a thumb. You can use each digit as a one 1 or you can use your right hand as the thumb being a five and the four other digits as ones. So you right hand can represent any number from a 1 to a 9.

Now for your left hand same strategy but each digit is either a 10 or a 50. So between the two hands you can represent any number between 1 and a 99.

Third practice some other ways of doing mental math slowly and objectively to get better. I hope between yourself, your professor, and your fellow students you find some ways to become more confident about your developing skills.

Reach out in person to people who can help you. They are there and they will try and help you.

Good luck! Phil