1. Putting off
math requirements:
There are many students I have heard saying… “I am putting off this for a while because mathematics
is too hard for me. I am doing it just because its compulsory in my course”.
Let me tell you this is the worst attitude you can have
towards math you can have and it is actually the worst that you can do to
yourself. I have a couple of reasons why one should never have this kind of
attitude.
The first
reason can be stated in the following way : MATH IS CUMULATIVE. In other words,
most math classes are built on knowledge you’ve gotten in previous math
classes, including your high school math classes. So, the only real effect of
putting off your math requirement is that you forget the knowledge that you
used to have from your previous classes. AND It will be assumed that you’ve still got this
knowledge when you finally do take up your exams and even when you are at next
level/class.
So, not doing one method or lesson can put you to
trouble any day.
2. Doing the
bare minimum:
Many students actually underestimate the amount of
effort required to be put in while studying mathematics. They do not put the
required effort, and they end up with lack of practice and finally the result is
low marks or lesser grades.
You should always strive hard to get the best grade
possible in order to excel in mathematics. This will help you lessen the
chances of underestimating the amount of work required and getting behind.
Remember that math is NOT a spectator sport! You
must be actively involved in the learning process if you want to do well in the
class.
3. A good/bad
first exam score doesn’t predict anything about your performance in final
exams:
I have seen many students who get over confident
with their first good performance in the subject and get careless or on the
contrary they get low marks, they lose their heart and think that they cannot
understand mathematics and hence they will not be able to do well ever. Do not
become hopeless when you see bad result once for a particular lesson or
chapter. Similarly, never be over-confident about the same and loose marks next
time.
4. Expecting
to instantly understand a topic/chapter/section:
Another common mistake that most students make i.e.
expecting from yourself that you will be able to understand it the very first
time. “NO HONEY”… sometimes it takes minutes, may be hours or even days. Its
strange but true that I came across few students who learn the correct way to
do questions of grade 6 in grade 9. The reason was that they gave up too early
on the topic they found difficult.
5. Assuming
that if it’s “easy” in class it will be “easy” on the exam:
Let me tell you that if its easy in class, its not
necessary that it will be easy in exam as well. Questions in mathematics are
not the way they are in History. You cannot memorize how to solve questions
because every question carries a new challenge. Nevertheless, you can memorize
theorems and formulas but their correct implication turns to perfection only
with practice.