does anybody know how to effectively study math. I used to get high A's but for some reason now, I'm doing really bad (i don't know how to study properly i guess)

Question

justin234 · Answer

Not to be rude But or your not trying I wasnt trying as soon as algebra came along but u just gotta try your best and if you fail ask for help or try again

sarahmc · Answer

In a way you are right @Justin234, but I low-key do try, I always do my hw and stay after class for help, but I know I'm missing something, maybe like motivation or effort but all I know is that I'm putting like 20% effort when it feels like Im giving it all so that's why I want someone's tips to put me in my place

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

* Determine the best way you learn. Are you a visual learner? Do you like to read a lot? Do you listen to music to help you study? Everyone is different. I can't tell you how you learn. It's up for you to decide * Create study sheets and flash cards to reflect what you found in step 1. If you're a visual learner, make lots of visuals (eg: graphs, diagrams etc). If you use music to help, then try to find songs or ways to remember the formulas (eg: the quadratic formula song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbABbfU6Zc yes it might seem silly, but if it helps, then why not? ) * Practice practice practice. There's no substitute for just doing the work over and over and over. There won't be any shortcuts unless you soak up the material really quickly. Hard work is a good thing and will prepare you for life * Go over what you missed and get it from different viewpoints. Ask friends for help. Ask your teacher. Ask a tutor. Post for help on sites like these. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective to have something click * Have confidence. You will do much better if you think you will do better. If you have a bad mindset, then things will be harder. * Lastly, try to make it fun and engaging. If it bores you to death, then it may not sink in as much as something which is interesting and relevant. There's no set way to do this because everyone's idea of "fun" is different I'm sure there are other tricks too but that's all I could think of

sarahmc · Answer

Thank you so much Jim for your time as well as your help! I will for sure try these out! x

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you're welcome

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Sorry forgot to add: "try to connect what you're learning with what you know best. That way it won't seem as foreign to you"

eg: if you're learning trig and you really love surveying, then that's an easy connection to make. Sometimes the connections aren't so obvious.

sooobored · Answer

continuously do practice problems, after a while, questions will look similar to what you've done and you've already figured out the trick beforehand

do you best to understand the underlying concepts and when they can be applied.

post here if you ever need help understanding a concept, though some people might just give you the direct answer or not much explanation to go with it, so be patient

mhchen · Answer

For me, I get REALLY competitive with these other asian smart-butt gangs at my school.

mhchen · Answer

It's all about competition of grades for me, which is rather a more evil way, but eh....that's how I got through it this year so far :b

mhchen · Answer

Also girls tend to like boys that get higher grades,

mhchen · Answer

I found out that they talk to me more when I bragged about how smart I am :)

sarahmc · Answer

haha im a girl

mhchen · Answer

okay....welll then that's awkward

sarahmc · Answer

I like your idea though... it's a good way to stay motivated!

mhchen · Answer

It'll probably fall apart sometime soon though xD. That's what I hate about life sometimes. Trying methods that might fail but I still do them anyways

harman.singh · Answer

If you have trouble understanding a concept, I would suggest using youtube as a learning source. Sometimes, when I don't understand my teacher, I usually search the topic on youtube and learn from there. Some really useful channels are Khan Academy and PatrickJMT.

sarahmc · Answer

thanks guys for your inputs, they are really helpful! x

iluvsoccer · Answer

I'm struggling with the same thing, @SarahMC!
Thank you, @jim_thompson5910, for the have confidence part! I agree with that. I'm gonna start doing that. 

Another thing that I thought might help if you are on OpenStudy a lot of times, turn off your messages and notifications so you won't get distracted.
I suffer from an illness called "Help others before help yourself." That is one of the things that has set me back.

Also, if you have a phone, I suggest to put it in your drawer when you are studying. It'll help. I have to do the same.

Other than that, thank you for this post, @SarahMC! I think this will help me to get back on track. :)

sarahmc · Answer

Thank you for your input @ILUVSOCCER ! It's nice to have tips from people who are going through the same thing! :) x

mathmale · Answer

This has been a fine discussion, showing that all of you have something positive to contribute.  I am closing this post only because it's been up for almost a day and no one has contributed a new idea for some time.  Best of luck to you.