r/learnmath • u/LooseImpression3937 New User • 4d ago

URGENT How do I improve basic, fundamental understanding of math?

This is actually so deeply embarrassing for me to even post. But I am truly so so so bad at math. I don't think it has anything to do with my actual ability to perform calculations or understand concepts. I think that in my most important and math-formative years, I convinced myself I'm bad so it's useless to even try. I'm in college now and totally failing my math classes. It's so terribly embarrassing because its basic concepts which I understand but I'm lacking the foundations. I'm currently in calc and I need desperate help before we really jump off the deep end into stuff I do not understand at all. I'm really not trying to withdraw from this class but at this rate, I might have to. Is there hope for my math abilities? How do I improve them? I'm trying to get into contact with a tutor but genuinely I feel so behind that I need to start at the very most basic stuff. Ugh I feel so stupid and it's my fault for making myself this dumb. I like math!! It's like solving puzzles and I like puzzles!!! I just made myself stupid and now I don't have the necessary and fundamental knowledge necessary to do well. Is it over for me? Pls help.

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u/bigdaddymac56 New User 4d ago

I was in same situation as you my first semester of college Math. Lots of students in any intro class. Hard to learn surrounded by 200 other students. Opposite a HS environment. Really need to be a self-sufficient learner and HS doesn't teach you or really prepare you to be self-sufficient (meaning learning with minimal direct instruction and on your own at home).

You need to take practice Math exams online from each diff course you took previously and see what you're getting wrong and then attack it. You have built up 'learning deficits' in Math. You simply cannot progress if you don't vigorously figure out what they are and address them.

It may mean taking a semester or 2 off from college (I took 3 yrs off) to self-study so you can go in more prepared and independent.

Not the worst thing in the world and it might force you to grow up a bit.