Five helpful tips on how to get out of math study slumps and become a more resilient problem solver!

It is safe to assume that we have all encountered math study slumps at some point during our academic journeys. Math is arguably one of the more challenging subjects to grasp and requires a high concentration level to understand. In addition, the difficulty level of math material is constantly increasing with each passing school grade. 

However, one should not let a plateau in their learning curve discourage them! Math study slumps are very common among young scholars and will only make them academically stronger once they overcome them. There are plenty of tips and pieces of advice regarding how to approach these dreadful slumps. In this article, we are going to provide a few helpful strategies on how to effectively handle them! 

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Take Breaks When Needed

When in a math study slump, stepping away from the practice problems and taking a break is super important! Once you hit a wall where the material is just not making any sense. Trying to force your way through it by continuing onward is not an efficient way to tackle the situation. Not only will it prevent you from being able to actually learn the material. This course of action will also lead to more stress and frustration. 

While in this situation, it is recommended to close the books for a little bit and spend time doing activities that you enjoy. Activities that require movement such as walking, yoga, or any type of sport is highly encouraged because exercise stimulates the brain. Putting the pencil down and playing a game of soccer for an hour before resuming your studies will have your mind refreshed and ready to learn! 

However, if exercise is not your forte, any activity that will take your focus away from the math material at hand for a bit will work just fine. The goal here is to relieve stress and partaking in fun activities or hobbies will accomplish just that! 

Understand That Learning is a Gradual Process

It is impossible to learn how to solve every problem in a given lesson in just one study session. Understanding that academic success sometimes has to come slowly rather than in one short burst is key to winning the mental battle of a study slump.

This aspect is especially crucial when learning competition math material. In these scenarios, focusing on the small victories and not getting caught up in the big picture will keep you motivated and eager to learn more the next day. 

For example, if you wanted to learn how to solve 10 new problems in one study session but were only able to learn five. That’s okay! Realizing that you now know more than you did before is a win in and of itself and shows that you are making progress towards your goal.

Join a Math Study Group

It is always more fun and productive to learn in a group rather than alone! Integrating into math study groups can help you digest math material easier. With multiple members in a group, students learn from each other and are introduced to math techniques that they did not already know beforehand.  

Furthermore, it is likely that your group members have also had study slumps of their own. They will be able to both give you advice and provide reassurance. Experiencing adversity while studying math is perfectly normal! 

Ask Your Teacher for Help or Get a Math Tutor

Tutors can be especially helpful when dealing with math study slumps. Instead of spending hours trying to understand a certain problem. Which will eventually lead to frustration and a decline in motivation. Math tutors are able to guide students through the problem solving process step by step and provide them with tools on how to effectively find the solutions to calculations or equations. 

However, if you are not yet ready to invest in a math tutor, asking your teacher for advice during office hours is a good place to start! Your teacher has taught the math material for several years and knows just about every way of how to solve the problems.

In addition, instructors have numerous students approach them every year who are struggling and in a similar situation as you. Educators are very experienced with assisting students in need and putting them on a path to succeed. Remember, you do not have to do this all by yourself!

Have Fun

No matter how difficult the math material may be, never forget the reason for why you are passionate about the subject. The thrill that comes with finally solving a tough problem or learning a new technique is unmatched. 

There are going to be highs and lows while on the path to becoming a math expert. But that is what makes the journey so fun! Try and find ways to turn the study slump into an exciting challenge that will motivate you even more. After the slump is over, you will come out a better and more versatile problem solver. 

Think Academy’s Classes 

For those who are interested, we provide numerous different math courses for children in grades K-8. We have short-term basic math classes that can help improve your child’s fundamental math skills. These courses last only about four weeks.

In addition, we also have K-8 long-term classes to ensure that students master the math material in their respective grades. These semester-long courses are available in three different levels (Advancement, Mastery, ACE) to account for all learning speeds!

Lastly, for students who want to take their math skills to the next level. Think Academy provides math competition prep classes for events such as the AMC 8 and Math Kangaroo!

You can register for any of our courses by clicking the link here or by downloading our app here.

1-on-1 Evaluation

As a reminder, before you register for our long-term courses. Make sure to schedule a free 1-on-1 evaluation if you have not already! Think Academy’s 1-on-1 evaluation contains an overview of our mission and academic structure, a 15-question evaluation exam, a one hour in-depth analysis, and a 15-minute teacher-to-parent discussion. After the evaluation, a customized study plan will be provided so that all of your child’s learning needs are met!

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Lastly, if you would like to receive free math resources such as worksheets, webinars, and more. Sign up for our newsletter by clicking the link here! The newsletter sign-up will be located at the bottom of the page and signing up will only take a few seconds. All you need to enter is your name, email address, and the grade your child is in.