For most of my students, math is a drag to begin with. I get it. It’s difficult and not the most fun activity to do. As a tutor, I don’t take offense-I’m here to try and make learning math a lot easier and less of a drag.
One of the harder things to learn in math are all the new formulas that come into play in Algebra and Geometry. There are many of them! To commit all of them to memory causes a lot of anxiety amongst students, but it’s one of the most important things to master because without them, you can’t solve a problem that needs them. I’m here to say that there is an easy, subtle way to memorize them without having to go through the painful process of writing them all out on flashcards and then spending countless time memorizing them. I personally think it’s too repetitive of a task that causes the mind to fall asleep and therefore one decreases the ability to retain the information. Let’s talk about a more strategic way of memorizing these formulas. It’s a pretty simple method! As you sit down to complete your assignment for the day, all you must do is write the formula you are using at the beginning of each problem. Say, for example, you have to use the formula to find the distance between two points. Well, on each problem, write out the distance formula and then proceed to use it appropriately. Eventually you will memorize it due to the repetitive writing of it before each problem, and eventually you won’t have to write it out any more. The nice thing about this method is that you are breaking up the memorization process in intervals: you write out the formula, solve the problem, and repeat. It’s not the same as trying to remember all the variables in a formula and reviewing them using flashcards over and over again. At the very least, you take a break from the formula as you solve the problem on the homework assignment before going back to it again. Also, the fact the you are writing it out also helps in memory retention. Again, unlike using flashcards, you are only seeing it. With this alternative method, you are seeing and writing them out. Another tip I can give here: As you learn the formulas from each lesson of your math class, it’s a good idea to keep a record of them on one sheet of paper. Save this reference sheet of formulas so you can easily pull them out come exam time. This will save you time, so you don’t have to write them all over again. Give this method a try and feel free to let me know how it worked for you! Happy Learning! Comments are closed.
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AuthorRossina here welcoming you to my blog :) Have you ever met someone who actually loves mathematics? Probably not, but that's me! I have been teaching math for 10+ years in a private one-on-one setting, helping families and students all over the country achieve mathematical mastery. Here, I share tips, insight, and provide resources to help you become a math master or tutor. I truly hope you find my blog helpful. Enjoy! Archives
September 2023
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