Study. It can be very difficult to study for mathematics! But, I find that it can increase your math test scores dramatically. The best way I find to study in general for all subjects is to set a goal. Whether it be a list of chapters to review, a concept to go over, or a skill to re-learn, set a goal for yourself. In math, your text book can help you highlight the main points of a lesson. Look for the vocabulary words, big concept boxes, and the clear directions. Don’t waste your time deciphering!

Practice. You aren’t going to get good at something that you haven’t practiced doing. I am a very good guitar player, and I didn’t just pick up my guitar and start playing, it took years of diligent practice. The odd numbers in the back of the textbook help, but don’t show you how to get to the answer. Try doing the example problems in the lesson!

Use tools to your advantage: your calculator is your friend, but it is not your crutch. Sometimes it’s useful to be able to do simple math operations like add and subtract, or even complex ones, like graphing and finding intersection points. Use them appropriately, make sure you know how to do the calculations that your calculator is doing!

Get Organized: Not only do you need to know when your assignments are due, have scheduled study/homework time, and balance school, work, and family, you need to be organized in the way you do your math. make your scratchwork neat, number your problems, explain things to yourself in your notes. The best person that can explain something to you is yourself. When you get something the teacher or professor has taught you, write down what made you get it!

Take Good Notes: Many students struggle in class understanding, and then struggle even further at home! You are not alone. Math is hard! Make sure that you take really clear notes. It goes with organization. Write neatly and professionally, if someone were to find your notes, could they teach themselves? I like to draw pictures, make mental notes, and doodle. Keep your pen in your hand, ready to write.

Go to class: A lot of times, especially in college, students skip class because the teacher is boring, or the content is. Don’t do it, this results in an instant drop in your grade. It’s harder than you think it is to catch up in Math! And when you are in class, don’t be a library book. Meaning, don’t be checked out!

Work hard: Math is not easy! You need to do your homework to the best of your abilities, especially if you don’t understand the subject.

Points Matter: Don’t skip out on doing homework because it’s only a low percentage. If it’s 5% and you have a 65% in the class, and you didn’t do your homework, you missed out. You have to put in work in order to pass, don’t expect a free A. There are two grades in all classes. Effort and Actual. Your effort grade, is something that you give yourself. Make sure you have an A, meaning you give as much as you can. Your actual grade often reflects your effort grade.

Put the Cell Phone Away: It is such a distraction. Music can help sometimes, but your brain is horrible at multitasking! Focus on one thing at a time, and you can accomplish more.

Pace yourself: Waiting until the last minute to do your homework is something that I have watched students do over and over. I even do it myself. It is not something that will benefit you. You may get it done before the due date, but “cramming” and doing things last minute result in poor knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Sleep: Staying up and doing homework is just simply not worth it. Six to eight hours of sleep will benefit you as a person! Running on four hours and coffee is not good!

Be Healthy: Feed your brain good food! Be the best you can be! Your brain is the most valuable resource, when your brain is healthy, it is sharp and ready for anything! Especially those tricky math problems!

Double Check: When it comes to the big test, the sleep, and the healthiness will help, but we are human! We make mistakes all the time. Make sure that you double check your work. Often times in Math, you can!

Be positive: Being angry and frustrated is okay! But be positive. One more try, one more chapter review in the textbook, or one more problem can be the difference in understanding a difficult math concept.

Reward: When I do good on a test, I like to reward myself! Weather it be my favorite restaurant, or a new pair of shoes, I always treat myself after getting a good grade on a test!

Ask for help: Your teacher, your parents, your tutor, are all here to help you! They want you to succeed, so use them to the best of your abilities. Scheduling with Frog Tutoring can help you improve beyond the sessions, in the classroom, and in other subjects! Book me,Quentin Nolf, today!