So many students wonder: why is math so hard? Arguably, it’s one of the most hated subjects of all. For many, just thinking about formulas and equations can invoke feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and frustration. If this sounds like you – keep on reading, because you’re certainly not alone.
At the end of the day, every student has their unique strengths and weaknesses, and some have an easier time comprehending math than others. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming that it’s all about being born for math! In fact, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome these roadblocks and we’ll show you how.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that, with enough practice and support, all of these hurdles can be overcome. But before you can do that, it’s crucial to identify what’s holding you back in your particular case. So with that in mind, we’ve prepared a comprehensive list of possible reasons why you might be struggling.
1. Issues with attention and being able to focus
No matter what you’re trying to achieve in life, it’s going to be hard to make progress if you’re unable to focus. But as you can see, those kind of issues don’t really have anything to do with math itself. If this describes you, it might be a good idea to get evaluated for ADHD, which is likely to impact other areas of your life as well. Luckily, if you get that to a manageable level, whether it be through medication, coping strategies or both, it’s going to up your quality of life and do away with the obstacle that’s impeding your success at math.
2. Challenges with comprehending the subject material
While not every problem you’ll see is going to be the hardest math problem, the truth is that some will be more challenging and others a bit less so. In some cases, the students may not be at fault and it could be due to the teacher not presenting the problem in the most efficient manner. Either that, or the method of presentation is not compatible with the student’s learning style. Also, it could be due to a gap in your knowledge created by sick leave or other life events. In math, it’s easy to fall behind if you’re unable to attend classes regularly.
3. Learning disorders and disabilities
We’ve already mentioned ADHD, but the truth is, other types of learning disorders and disabilities exist as well, one of the being dyslexia. Specifically, given how it relates to math, dyscalculia is another major one. Simply put, those who find themselves struggling with the latter, often encounter difficulties with comparing shapes, quantities, and spaces, making them experience a great deal of difficulty when attempting to solve both basic and abstract math problems alike.
The next time you find yourself wondering why math is so hard, try to objectively assess whether it’s just you that are facing these difficulties or the rest of the class as well. If you’re indeed dealing with some sort of a learning disability, please, don’t be so hard on yourself as none of it is your fault! Luckily, the world is slowly but surely waking up to the concept of neurodivergence, making it easier to get the support you need.
4. Being right-brained
According to a theory that stems from developmental psychology, some people have a natural predisposition towards being good at certain things and worse at others due to having either the left or the right side of their brain function as the dominant one.
Right-brained individuals are known to be:
- Creative
- Expressive
- Good at thinking outside the box
- Naturally talented at arts, crafts, drama, and languages
Left-brained individuals are known to be:
- Analytical
- Problem-solving
- Naturally talented in subjects like math, science, and technology
Although there are still heated debates about whether the theory is true and to what degree it’s accurate, the fact of the matter is that we’re all wired differently. It could very well be that math is simply outside of your natural talents.
5. You’re not patient enough
Wondering why is math so hard? Perhaps you’re asking the wrong question. It could be that asking about the reasonable speed of human learning and progress might be the answer that could give you additional perspective on things. After all, math involves many multi-step processes that need to be called upon to solve a single problem. Oftentimes, this translates into it requiring more practice compared to other subjects. But, as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect!
6. You’re suffering from math anxiety
For some, the very thought of math is anxiety-inducing. But the symptoms they experience are very much physical in nature, encompassing things like:
- Tremors
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Sweating
- etc.
In other words, what you’re experiencing could be due to your perspective of math rather than math itself. It’s a phobia that spans over generations, meaning that younger generations are no less susceptible to it than older ones. The purpose of this post is not to find the reasons why it might surface, but rather to acknowledge it as one of the possible reasons why you’re struggling with math.
7. Not seeing the real-world application of math
Depending on where you want to go career-wise, this might be a reasonable objection. Some students, however, fail to see the real-world value of math simply because they haven’t considered all the doors it can open. This can be:
- Better job opportunities
- An ability to calculate personal finances
- Computational skills
- A better approach to problem-solving
Once you see how many useful things math can give you, you’ll get the necessary motivation to delve into your studies.
8. Your teachers have failed you
As is the case with any other profession, there are going to be teachers who excel at what they do, some that are just mediocre, and some have found themselves in the wrong profession. Also, keep in mind that bad math teachers might be excellent mathematicians in their own right, just not so good at teaching or explaining. It’s a complex world we live in. And those kinds of teachers possibly put too much emphasis on you memorizing things rather than comprehending them.
9. Your foundation is shaky
Math knowledge is cumulative. One skill is built on top of another, and so on and so forth. But if your foundation is shaky, it won’t take long for that castle to crumble into itself. Want to do calculus? It’s going to be hard without knowing trigonometry. Want to do trigonometry? Good luck without the basic fundamentals of algebra and geometry. In math, all the little pieces are connected to one another to form a majestic structure. And if you’re struggling to comprehend a concept, it could be that you need to master another fundamental mathematical concept first… after that, all should just ‘click’ and fall into place.
10. You have self-limiting beliefs
While some people’s brains are indeed more suitable for math studies, thinking that you need to be born a certain way just to be proficient at math is nothing but a self-limiting belief that’s not doing you any favors. In reality, you simply need to hone your skills more – remember, practice makes perfect! Yes, those who are gifted will get a head-start, but that’s all there is to it. You, too, can become an amazing mathematician if you’re willing to do what it takes and work hard. You just need to trust the process.
11. You rely on memorizing too much
While memorizing is an undeniable part of the learning process as a whole, you’re going to struggle making any sense of it if you also don’t comprehend what you’re actually learning. And, above all else, it’s also more interesting to learn that way, because eventually, you’re going to start seeing the connections between the pieces that make the whole. Eventually, upon encountering a new problem, you will start getting the feeling that you’ve seen some of this before!
The real issue at play is that, if you’re like most students, you’re trying to find the quickest way out, the path of least resistance… which, in this case, appears to be formulas and memorization. With this approach, however, you’re going to get tripped up if the problem you’re about to solve gets presented in a different way. So use memorization as a tool rather than a crutch.
12. You have a pre-conceived notion that math is supposed to be hard
This is another one of those self-limiting beliefs, but due to how widespread it is, it deserves its own section. Instead of asking yourself why math is so hard, perhaps it’s your beliefs that are shaping your own reality and not necessarily math itself? Don’t make the mistake of assuming that math will be hard for you simply because it’s hard for other students. Or that you’re going to have ongoing issues because you’ve struggled with it at some point in the past. If you tend to have a poor self-image and thus not possess the best of faith in your own abilities, perhaps it’s time to work on that too. This is not something that can be fixed overnight, but it’s better to start late than never.
How to never struggle with math again
Now that we’ve outlined the problems, it’s time to to present concrete solutions, so you’ll never need to wonder why is math so hard ever again.
Set aside ample time to get better at math
It almost seems like a mechanical problem to solve, but believe us when we say it’s a foundation for applying all the other solutions we’re about to present. Simply put, if you don’t allocate enough time to it, it’s going to be hard to move the needle. Ideally, studying math should become a habit, so you just do it automatically without thinking about it. Kind of like brushing your teeth. And developing a habit means you’re on your way to consistency.
Level up your mental game
Understandably, no one is perfect and we all struggle with self-image, procrastination, and other forms of mental roadblocks from time to time. But if you don’t do anything about them, they can and they will stunt your academic growth. Even something as perceivably small as regarding math as an unconquerable mountain can hold back your progress. One of the greatest lessons you can get from school is not necessarily the subject matter itself – it’s how to approach life’s challenges and persevere, regardless of what they throw your way.
Work on your foundation
As discussed above, various aspects of math are more intertwined and connected than many students think. Oftentimes, what ends up happening is that if you can level up in one certain area of math, getting better at others will naturally follow as a result. And, more often than not, you’re going to need to have a strong foundation in basic mathematical concepts to even attempt to solve an advanced mathematical problem.
Hire a tutor
Yes, math can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean you necessarily need to tackle all of it alone! With the help of a tutor, you will be able to make progress much faster and you’ll avoid having to stumble in the dark, not knowing how to progress. At Novel Prep, we offer several tutoring packages that will help you master the intricate concepts of math, starting with our basic high school tutoring package.
To get you ready to pass those standardized exams with flying colors, there’s our SAT Prep package. On top of it all, we also organize special summer math tutoring camps that will help you reach the next level at unprecedented speeds. No matter what you choose, know that you will be working with the finest tutors in the country, with most of them being proud holders of a Masters degree in math or even a PhD.
Conclusion
So why is math so hard? Well, is it really math or could it be due to any of the surprising factors we’ve listed above? That is something that only you can answer. But no matter what your own personal roadblock may be, know that the situation can always be improved, whether it be through practice, tutoring, or changing your mentality.
