Avoid These Top 10 Mistakes When Taking A Math Class

Well, you are finally at that point in your studies where you’ve had to sign up for that math class you’ve put off taking as long as possible. Whether it is a calculus class, geometry, or even an advanced algebra class you need to move forward toward your degree, there’s no doubt you’re approaching your class with plenty of apprehension. Yet even with all this anxiety, you can be successful if you do your best to avoid some of the most common mistakes students make when taking a math class.

Inattentiveness

Since math is a difficult subject, many students tend to daydream when facing tough assignments. If you don’t pay attention to details, your work and grades are sure to suffer.

Getting In Over Your Head

While you may need to take a certain math class to graduate, that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to take it right now. Rather than get in over your head and set yourself up for failure, try not to take the hardest class until it’s absolutely necessary.

Trying to Do It All On Your Own

If you are having problems in your class, don’t try to handle the problem alone. If you think you may ultimately fail, don’t hesitate to hire a tutor or even an expert who can provide more help with completing your work.

Getting Off to a Slow Start

Even if your math class is harder than you expected, try to avoid getting off to a slow start with your grades. If you allow yourself to have one or two bad tests initially, you’ll just be putting more pressure on yourself later on in the semester. Eventually, you may dig yourself a hole that is too deep from which to recover. To keep this from occurring, look to a math expert for help in completing your assignments, tests, and exams.

Lack of Time Management

If you know your math class will be the hardest one on your schedule, make time management a top priority. On average, you should plan to spend at least 10 hours per week studying on this one class alone.

Not Relying on Your Preferred Learning Style

If you happen to be taking your math course online, don’t make the mistake of getting away from your preferred learning style. For example, if you learn best while studying alone, don’t try to complete your math assignments while hanging out with your friends.

Don’t Underestimate Its Difficulty

For many students, they make the mistake of underestimating how difficult their math class is going to be until they are already well into the semester. By then, it’s often too late to withdraw. Therefore, go into your class with realistic expectations from day one.

Having the Hardest Instructor

Though you can’t always pick the instructor you’ll have for your math class, there are times when you can work your schedule so that you can take a class session that is taught by an instructor who may be easier to handle than other professors. After all, since the class will already be hard for you, it’s best to not make it even more difficult by spending all semester dealing with the hardest instructor on campus.

No Interaction with Classmates

Whether you are taking your math class online or in-person, always make sure you take time to interact with your fellow classmates. When you do, you are sure to find plenty of other students who are struggling just as much as yourself with various aspects of the class. By making some new friends, you may be able to work together to complete some tough assignments, and also express your opinions as to your instructor.

Not Having the Proper Technology

If you want to be successful with your online math class, always make sure you have the technology needed to complete your assignments. Should you have a slow internet connection or maybe limited access to computers at school, you might find it hard to complete and submit your assignments by the required deadlines. To keep this from happening, make sure you check the technology requirements of the class prior to signing up, and also make sure you will have easy access to computers when needed.