How to study math alone? 5 tips to put into practice

Studying mathematics alone is perfectly possible for those who have good will and disposition.

The challenges of studying mathematics alone

Since we started school, mathematics has been a bit confusing.

For some, numbers are like little pieces that fit together perfectly.

For others, even simple calculations represent confusion, and everything becomes more difficult with the evolution of matter.

In the second case, in the first years of school it is possible to move forward.

After all, counting 3 watermelons and 4 oranges is not that difficult when we have the help of our fingers.

But when these calculations no longer fit on your fingers, and some signs like x, >, { and many others start to appear, it starts to get complicated.

And then, before you know it, the entrance exam is already knocking on your door, and you still don't know how x ended up in your multiplication, let alone M or the square root (help!).

At that moment, the anguish of knowing that these accounts will certainly be on the tests leaves anyone with their nerves on edge.

And, we know that paid courses or even hiring a private teacher are not always possible.

The same goes for free courses, but they take place at the exact time you are on the bus, returning from work.

Well…in that case, studying math alone was the last alternative you had left.

We know that this situation can make you anxious, especially because many people swear that it is impossible to learn math without help.

But is this true?

The good news is that this is not true, since you are the one who determines what is possible for your learning.

So if you are determined to learn math on your own, nothing can stop you.

Nowadays we have free video classes, books and even the school subject conference can help.

The real secret is establishing a study method that works for you.

Below we will see tips that will help you create this method!

Practical tips for studying math alone

We know that math is king when it comes to scaring students.

This is because, as the school years go by, the simple calculations involving dividing 6 sticks of gum between 3 friends are replaced by very difficult equations.

And, when it becomes necessary to study mathematics alone for tests, a competition or entrance exam, it is common to feel fearful.

However, this fear only exists for students who have not yet managed to establish their own study method.

This is because, when you are aligned with your own capabilities and goals, studying alone can be even better.

With that in mind, we have separated 5 practical tips below for studying alone without complications.

Be sure to check them out, as they will certainly help you create an effective study method!

Use YouTube videos to your advantage

We know this tip may seem obvious, after all, who has never used YouTube to study?

But when we talk about using YouTube to study math on your own, we mean using it the right way.

This is because there is no point in just watching the videos, without paying due attention, or without following your own learning.

We have a large number of teachers who teach math for free on YouTube.

Therefore, it is very important that you choose those whose teaching style you most identify with.

Also, look for a variety of videos, including:

Explanation of basic concepts;
Exposition of the matter;
Exercise resolution;
Application of content in entrance exams;
Between others.

Use the videos strategically, as a guide so you can find the explanations you are missing when studying alone.

The right videos have a great chance of helping you understand the subject better.

Look for good exercise lists

When you choose to study mathematics on your own, you must understand that you are the captain of your ship of knowledge.

This is because, in a prep course, you have the help of the teacher to dictate your learning pace.

Furthermore, the content is summarized and more targeted, which is not the case when you search for the material yourself.

Therefore, exercise lists can help you with the practical part of your learning.

This is because they show you how much you are absorbing of the studied content.

Furthermore, these lists can help you see the content in a practical way, actually applied to real questions and in the way they will be seen in the tests.

Don't neglect the basic content

It is not uncommon to see cases of people who swear they do not understand percentages, and when we look deeper, we see that the problem is in multiplication.

Mathematics works like a huge ladder, where you learn step by step.

These steps serve as a basis for understanding more complex content.

Therefore, you cannot understand percentages if you do not understand multiplication.

The same goes for those who want to solve difficult equations, but still don't fully understand mathematical signs.

Therefore, as boring as it may seem, do not give up on the basic content when studying mathematics alone.

These will be very useful in giving you the necessary foundation to move forward.

Remember that you don't have a teacher to point out where you're going wrong.

Therefore, it is very important to build a solid knowledge base, which allows you to identify primary errors that hinder you in more complex content.

Search for “wildcard” content

You've probably heard someone say that “almost everything can be solved with the rule of 3”.

Or that multiplication is the basis for solving any equation.

And if you've ever faced a difficult problem and arrived at the result using a less obvious method, you know that these statements can be true.

Therefore, studying key subjects can help you solve even content that you don't master.

You may not understand fractions, but if you know how to divide, you can solve a problem.

Does it take longer? Yes. But it gets you to the same result!

So, when studying math alone, research wildcard content, and you will see that it will help you on tests.

Play to your strengths when studying math on your own

Finally, our last tip for those who want to know how to study math alone is to work with what you have.

Many people believe that they need to master all aspects of mathematics to do well.

But, that is not true.

It is a fact that the more you know, the easier it will be, since not everything can be solved with basic mathematics.

But, when it comes to the entrance exam, what really matters is not getting everything right, but getting as many as possible right.

Therefore, by valuing what you already know, it becomes easier to find ways to get the best results on tests.

If you are good with equations, invest in this to create associations to assimilate other content.

Or, if you are good at multiplication, look for ways to use this resource to solve problems of all kinds.

This way, you will increase your chances and not waste time complaining about things that you absolutely cannot understand.

By following these tips you will see that studying math alone is perfectly possible, since everything depends on your commitment!

Enjoy and read it too 👉 What is the Enem for and how to do well on the test?

Roberta September 9, 2023

Graduation