How to study math on your own? 5 tips to put into practice.

Studying mathematics on your own is perfectly possible for anyone with the will and motivation.

The challenges of studying mathematics alone

From the moment we start school, mathematics has seemed rather confusing.

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

For others, even simple calculations are confusing, and everything becomes more difficult as knowledge progresses.

In the second case, it's possible to move forward in the early years of school.

After all, counting 3 watermelons and 4 oranges isn't so difficult when you have your fingers to help you.

But when these calculations become too numerous to count on your fingers, and symbols like x, >, { and many others start to appear, things begin to get complicated.

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

At this moment, the anxiety of knowing that these calculations will certainly be on the exams leaves anyone on edge.

And we know that paid courses or even hiring a private tutor aren't always possible.

The same applies to free courses, but which take place precisely at the time when you are on the bus, returning from work.

Well... in that case, studying math on your own was the last option you had left.

We know this situation can cause you anxiety, especially since many people swear it's impossible to learn math without help.

But is that true?

The good news is that this isn't true, since you are the one who determines what is possible for you to learn.

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

Nowadays we have free video lessons, books, and even reviewing the material from school can help.

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

Next, we'll look at some tips to help you create this method!

Practical tips for studying math on your own.

We know that mathematics is queen when it comes to terrifying students.

That's because, as the school years go by, simple calculations involving dividing 6 pieces of chewing gum among 3 friends are replaced by extremely difficult equations.

And when it becomes necessary to study mathematics alone for tests, exams, or college entrance exams, it's common to feel afraid.

But this fear only exists for students who haven't yet managed to establish their own study method.

That's because, when you're aligned with your own abilities and goals, studying alone can be even better.

With that in mind, we've put together 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 might seem obvious; after all, who hasn't used YouTube to study?

But when we talk about using YouTube to study math on your own, we're referring to using it in the right way.

That's because there's no point in just watching videos without paying attention or keeping up with 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 methods you most identify with.

In addition, look for a variety of videos, including:

Explanation of basic concepts;
Presentation of the subject matter;
Solving exercises;
Application of the content in university entrance exams;
Between others.

Use the videos strategically, as a guide to help you find the explanations you need when studying on your own.

The right videos are very likely to help you understand the subject matter 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 own ship of knowledge.

That's because, in a prep course, you have the teacher's help to dictate your learning pace.

Furthermore, the content is summarized and more focused, which doesn't happen when you search for the material on your own.

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

That's because they show you how much you're absorbing from the material you're studying.

Furthermore, these lists can help you see the content in a practical way, actually applied to real-world issues and in the manner in which it will be presented on exams.

Don't disregard the basic content.

It's not uncommon to see cases of people who swear they don't understand percentages, and when we look deeper, we find that the problem lies in multiplication.

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

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

Therefore, you can't understand percentages if you don't understand multiplication.

The same applies to those who want to solve difficult equations but don't yet fully understand mathematical symbols.

Therefore, however tedious it may seem, don't neglect the basics when studying mathematics on your own.

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 that allows you to identify basic errors that hinder you in more complex subjects.

Search for "wildcard" content.

You've probably heard someone say that "almost anything can be solved with the rule of three."

Or that multiplication is the basis for solving any equation.

And if you've ever found yourself in a difficult situation and arrived at the solution through a less obvious method, you know that these statements can be true.

Therefore, studying general topics can help you solve even content that you are not familiar with.

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

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

So, when studying math on your own, research versatile topics, and you'll see that they'll help you on tests.

Emphasize your strengths when studying math on your own.

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

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

But that's not true.

It's true that the more you know, the easier it will be, since not everything can be solved with basic math.

But when it comes to college entrance exams, what really matters isn't getting everything right, but getting as many right as possible.

Therefore, by valuing what you already know, it becomes easier to find ways to get things right on tests.

If you're good with equations, invest in that to create associations and assimilate other concepts.

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

This way, you'll increase your chances and avoid wasting time lamenting something you simply can't wrap your head around.

By following these tips, you'll see that studying math on your own is perfectly possible, since it all depends on your effort!

Take the opportunity to read also 👉 What is the purpose of the ENEM exam and how can I do well on it?

Roberta

I am a member of the O Administrador team and I produce content about career, personal finance, financial education, productivity, and professional development. My goal is to share clear and practical information to help readers with their day-to-day decisions.

September 9, 2023

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