A child starts using Math even before learning a native language. A toddler prefers to go towards a box containing 4 candies than to a box containing 2 candies. But as the child grows and starts doing the math operation with a tag of the subject Mathematics, the interest starts diminishing. After researching, I realized that the external factors play a vital role behind this aversion towards Mathematics. Unfortunately, the external factors are the people the child trusts the most i.e. the parents and the teachers. Although unconsciously, their advice about Math builds a monster like image about the subject. Statements like, “Math is a very important subject” or “You need to do extensive practice of Math sums to succeed”, builds a notion about Math being something from another planet and the child has to fight a battle against it to be successful in life. As a result, many students find Math problems like a Hercules task. In my experience of teaching Math for more than two decades, I tried to have one to one discussions with hundreds of students regarding their feelings for Math. Of all my findings, one aspect was common. They all said that Math practice demands a lot of time and shatters down their schedule for other subjects. Let’s try to find out, how can we overcome this predicament?
- Be aware of your biological clock.
Depending upon our daily routine of work and sleep, our personal biological clock is set. Out of the 24 hours of the day, we have some particular hours as active hours. We need to identify these hours and do Math as it requires concentration during these active hours.
- Get plenty of sleep.Our body needs at least 7 hours of continuous rest. Ensure you get that peaceful time for your mind and body to get recharged. This will keep your brain alert for the day.
- Build up your Fundamentals. Last minute study is never useful. Rome was not built in a day. You need to develop your fundamentals each day. Doing tasks in parts boosts your confidence.
- Be consistent. A regular schedule of study with a timetable that suits your daily routine is essential and following it is mandatory. You have to be committed to yourself to do consistent practice of Math
Make a To -Do list for the next day. If you develop this habit of making a Tomorrow’s ‘To Do’ list every night, you will get up with.a purposeful agenda of the day. Hence, prioritize the tasks on the basis of their importance.
Eliminate distractions. When you are unable to complete the tasks scheduled for the day, look for distractions. They could be T.V, social media, gossiping with friends and even oversleeping. So, you have to eliminate or at least control these distractions.
Multi-tasking v/s one task at a time. Some tasks can be done simultaneously like drawing diagrams while watching T.V. But multi-tasking with math problems is just not advisable. So, be smart in choosing tasks for multitasking.
In fact Math is for managing the best resource i.e TIME. But often it is TIME that creates the biggest trouble in doing Math. We need to see it other way round. Let Math be a tool which helps you manage your time. Calculation of time leads to prediction and this is what world values the most. Come out of the monstrous image of MATH, Indulge with it because…It’s one of the most charming discipline which helps you imagine with precision. And what’s more beautiful than IMAGINATION.
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