While for some Ma-ths just seems to come to them naturally for most it is a grueling subject which most detest. But it really isn’t that difficult or boring, you just have to go about it the right way. Here are a few tips that you could use:

Tip 1: Do the homework exercises, even if you do not require to submit it to the teachers.

The exercises are for your benefit, not the teachers. The exercises will train your

mind and sharpen your intuition. So do the work. It will pay off in the end.

Tip 2: Math books are meant to be read slowly. You cannot speed read it and expect to get any benefit out of it at all. When you encounter a new concept in a math book, do not expect to understand it on the first reading. You should go over each difficult paragraph several times. If you are still uncomfo-rtable with it, read ahead a page or so, then come back to the difficult passage. Books are meant to be read with paper and pencil in hand. Use the paper and pencil to work through any steps that the book skips over.

Tip 3: Always use a pencil to do math homework. Don’t ever try to do math in ink. You will make mistakes. Everybody does. So be equipped to clean them up. If you like mechanical pencils, great. If you prefer

the old wooden kind, then sharpen several of them before you start each homework. Make sure you have a clean, usable eraser as well.

Although neatness might not get you extra points, it does help keep you from confusion. Keep your work organised.

Tip 4: Your classmates are in the same boat as you. Organise a study group. Try to coax at least one of the top students in the class into your group. Try to form a group size of three to five students. Try to meet at least once per week and discuss your problems and share ideas with each other. Choose as your group-mates those who have a serious attitude.

Tip 5: In your group activity, take turns. Let one person solve the problem first and explain it to others but if he gets stuck, the others in the group should try to provide hints. Make the problem-doer justify each step orally. If anybody in the group does not understand a step, the person doing the sum should explain it to his or her satisfaction. And if necessary others can help to explain it too.

When one person is done with a problem, somebody else gets up and does the next one on the board.

Tip 6: Despite the helpfulness of your group activities, in the end your grade will be based upon your individual performance at solving problems so be sure to go solo on a few exercises.

Tip 7: Try to see more than just procedures. Learn the concepts, and the procedures will seem obvious. And try to have some fun with it.

Humanity invented math largely because it is fascinating. Be fascinated.