Math Anxiety

Most people feel that math is a four-letter word.  It is a subject that causes a great deal of anxiety for people and is often treated as though what is required is impossible to do.

Myths About Math

  • You don’t need math unless you are interested in a scientific or technical career.
  • People who do well in math have mathematical minds, and usually these people are male.
  • If a person falls behind, or if it has been a long time since studying math, it’s hopeless to try to learn it now.

Truths About Math

  • All careers use math.
  • Everyone is capable of learning math.
  • It is never too late to learn.

Factors of Math Anxiety

  • Cognitive Interference – any thinking that interferes with what we are supposed to be doing.  Be aware of distractions and put them out of your mind.
  • Negative Self Talk – this is a type of Cognitive Interference, these are the "I can’t" ideas; "this is too hard for me," etc.

These types of fears can cause our bodies to release the hormone Epinephrine as a reaction to the anxiety that we feel. This is what makes us jittery and sick to our stomachs when we are anxious.

Ways to Overcome Anxiety

  • Acknowledge your feelings, admit your anxiousness.
  • Stop yourself from thinking irrelevant thoughts or from putting yourself down.
  • Focus your attention toward the task at hand.
  • Remember if you do not take risks, you are not growing.
  • Exercise.
  • Avoid caffeine- coffee, tea, and chocolate are stimulants and can make you even more nervous than you already are.
  • Breathe deeply and face your anxiety.
  • Maintain a positive attitude.

How to Succeed in Math

  • Make sure that you are in a class that is “right” for you.
  • Come to class on time and bring a pencil, textbook, and notebook.
  • Do not let the appearance of math problems intimidate you.
  • Ask questions in class.
  • Take your math class at a time that you know you will be alert.
  • Don’t overload your class schedule.
  • Pay special attention to formulas and theorems and understand them.
  • Pay attention to the written instructions for each problem.
  • Practice problems over and over again.
  • Do not place too much emphasis on the correct answer, focus more on the process used.
  • SHOW YOUR WORK on tests, you may receive partial credit.
  • Get help from others, instructors, tutors, friends, etc.
  • Don’t ever give up.
  • Meet with the math tutors available in the Academic Enhancement Center.

During the Test

  • Carefully read the instructions.
  • Go to a problem that is familiar to you.
  • Don’t let your feelings about a prior problem interfere with your performance on the current one.
  • Watch out for careless errors.
  • Watch out for negative self-talk and anxiety.

After the Test

  • Congratulate yourself on having worked hard.
  • When you get your test back, understand your mistakes and use them as an opportunity to learn.
  • Remember trying hard is as important as succeeding.

Remember:  practice makes perfect, these types of habits can be used to your advantage in all courses, not just those involving math.  It is important to have a schedule that you follow consistently in order to keep your busy schedule under control.  Good luck and have fun.

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students