5 Creative ways to improve your math skills
At our Toronto math tutoring centre, “how do I improve my math marks” is one of the most frequently asked questions! The thing is, we’ve all heard the usual suspects: practice more, work harder, brush up on the basics. But what about the tips and tricks that help us get better at math, without us having to feel like we’re working our butts off indefinitely? In this blog post, I'll share five creative ways to increase your marks in math class!
1. Treat math like an extra-curricular!
Who says math can't be fun? Gather a group of friends, some snacks, and get ready to have a math party! Play math games like Sudoku, math bingo, or speed math. Challenge each other to see who can solve the most math problems in a set amount of time. By turning math into a game, you'll not only have a blast but you’ll also improve your math skills without even realizing it. This is a great way to brush up on foundations like times tables and number sense - don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
2. Turn everything into a juicy problem!
Math is more than just numbers and equations - It's also about creativity and problem-solving, and that’s something we rarely remember. All of us have undiscovered math skills that relate to our own creative ways of being in this world, so try to tap into those when solving math problems! Draw diagrams, make charts, and use colours to visualize and organize information. Try different strategies and study styles until you find a few that really work for you!
3. Use real-life examples
Math really is everywhere, not just in our math textbooks! Use real-life examples to help you understand math concepts in a way that you can relate to. Calculate the total cost of items on sale at the grocery store or calculate how much money you'll save on a sale item. Use math to plan a road trip, budget for a vacation, or figure out how much paint you need to paint your room. By applying math to real-life situations, you'll not only improve your math skills but also appreciate how useful math can be in everyday life…and things will start to click in a way that feels meaningful!
4. Be smart with your tech
Technology has made learning math so much easier and more fun. There are tons of apps and websites that can help you practice math problems, provide step-by-step solutions, and even turn learning math into a game. Check out apps like Photomath, Mathway, or Math Playground for some interactive and entertaining math practice!
5. Believe (like Ted Lasso!)
Last but not least, the most important way to boost your math marks is to believe in yourself! Math can be challenging, but don't let that discourage you. Believe that you can do it, and you will. Take a moment to learn about Growth Mindset, and to read stories about famous people who have failed a million times before achieving success. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and don't let mistakes bring you down. Keep a positive attitude and approach math with an open mind and a willingness to learn, and before you know it, you’ll start improving your math skills bit by bit!
Vanessa Vakharia is the author of 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 + 𝑀𝒶𝓉𝒽 𝐻𝒶𝒸𝓀𝓈 𝟚 , the host of the Math Therapy podcast, and the founder of The Math Guru tutoring studio.