How I Finally Got Better at Math: A High Schooler’s Guide

How I Finally Got Better at Math: A High Schooler’s Guide

If you’re reading this, chances are math might not be your favorite subject—or maybe it is, but you want to get even better at it. Trust me, I’ve been through the ups and downs of math myself.

Here’s what worked for me:

1. Start With the Basics (Even if You Think You Know Them)
Math is like building a Jenga tower. If the base isn’t solid, it all comes crashing down. When I struggled with algebra, I realized I was shaky on things like fractions and negative numbers. Going back to review the basics wasn’t fun, but it made everything else so much easier.

2. Practice Makes Progress
This one’s annoying but true: the only way to get better at math is to practice. I started doing a few problems every day, even when I didn’t have homework. Sometimes I’d time myself to make it feel like a game. The more I practiced, the less I panicked when I saw similar problems on a test. I used Khan Academy to do practice questions and those mini quizzes helped build confidence.

3. YouTube Is Your Best Friend
When my textbook and teacher couldn’t help, YouTube came to the rescue. There are so many videos that explain math in ways that actually make sense. My favorites are ones with animations because they make hard concepts easier to see.

4. Break It Down
Big problems used to scare me. But then I started breaking them into smaller steps. For example, in word problems, I’d underline the important parts and write down what I already knew before solving anything.

5. Work With Friends
I used to hate group work, but studying math with friends was a game-changer. Sometimes, they explained things better than my teacher! Plus, when I taught them something, it helped me understand it even more.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Mess Up
I used to get so frustrated when I got problems wrong. But then I realized: mistakes are like little road signs that show you where you need to focus. Now, when I mess up, I try to figure out what went wrong instead of just moving on.

7. Keep It Consistent
I stopped cramming the night before tests (okay, most of the time). Instead, I started doing a little bit of math every day. Even just 20 minutes helps keep everything fresh in your brain.

8. Use Tools That Work for You
Whether it’s a graphing calculator, an app, or even colorful highlighters, find tools that make math easier. I use Desmos to check my graphs.

9. Stay Positive (Even When It’s Hard)
A negative mindset will only discourage you more. Break down the problem and know that if you don't get it the first time its ok, you can try again and it will make sense.