in eighth grade, i got a b in algebra 1. freshman year, i got a c in geometry honors. as a current sophomore, i have a 90.01 in algebra 2 honors.
despite being in advanced math classes, i always seem to struggle with math.
i don’t know what has happened eighth grade onwards, since i used to be a grade-level ahead in math in elementary school.
how do i improve my math skills, get better at math, and pick up math concepts quicker? i’d like to also be one of the top in my class for math, if possible.
First, I wouldn’t say your grades are bad. Maybe just not as strong as you would like. Based on my experience as a parent, if the student is doing his or her part and working hard, it comes down to having a really good teacher. My suggestion is to find out who the best math teachers are in your school and have your parent advocate to guidance/administration to get the very best teacher.
Obviously this advice only works for next year’s placement. For this year just keep going to your teacher for extra help and work as hard as you can. All you can do is your best.
Your grades look solid–which is good. It means that you’re getting the concepts, basically. So good for you.
How do you improve your scores? For math it’s a combination of 1) understanding the skills and 2) practice.
If you can teach someone how to do something, then you know how to do it. If you kind of think you know how to do something, you need a little more practice. Okay?
One way to improve is to go to Khan Acadamy online. It’s free. Khan Academy has videos to explain each concept in math. This is great, in case your teacher isn’t very good. Then you can practice that concept.
You can set up an account and it will track your progress. You can teach yourself math ahead of your teacher. Khan is like a super power for math and other subjects.
Another cool thing is that Khan Academy has SAT practice, too. When you’re ready, you can start practicing for the SAT in your spare time.
I am actually a sophomore in Honors Algebra II as well, currently have a 96. I got an A- in Honors Alg I and an A+ in Honors Geometry. I’ve never been gifted in math, so I hope this helps:
Practice, practice, practice... Practicing the problems is necessary, it helps you understand the problems and realize how to solve a problem when you receive certain cues. Math is like a foreign language, you have to learn the rules and exceptions when doing problems.
Ask questions, your teacher is paid to be there to answer your questions, use it! Also use your peers, I assume there’s that extremely smart kid in your class who everyone wants to be like. Ask them how they study and try that, it may just work.
Pay attention in class. The best way to understand the concepts it to listen carefully and replicate what your teacher does. Teachers don’t randomly say things in math to say them, it is usually important when it is said.
Hope that helped, if you have any more questions feel free to ask!
I don’t consider myself necessarily gifted in math- however, I had an A in Pre-Algebra, A in Advanced Algebra 1, A in Advanced Geometry, and now an A+ in Advanced Algebra 2. I have to say it’s mostly work ethic. I’ll tell you what I do, as someone who doesn’t really comprehend math as fast as I want to.
Use a solver to show steps on PRACTICE PROBLEMS ONLY. I use Symbolab on the problems that we won't be doing for homework to help assist me to see how to work out the problems correctly.
ASK QUESTIONS! This is probably the most important one. Your teacher is there to help you. If you ask, they will assist. You can also ask classmates for help.
Do the work! Always do your work. Go above and beyond. If you don't understand a subject, do extra problems on it.
Watch videos/read websites. I always use Khan Academy when I don't understand a concept. However, other websites also give great explanations.
Study, study, study. Read over stuff before a test. Look over your notes. If it would help you, go to study tables with your teacher or start a study group!
Believe it or not, you still ARE a grade ahead! And you’re taking honors math classes, which puts you even further ahead of the average student, so nice job on that!
Now, I can’t tell you how to get better with math (honors algebra 2 is hard!!) but I can give you some of the resources I use. Hopefully they’ll help you, too.
Khan Academy - it’s been mentioned before but it really is the go-to online math resource. He explains things really thoroughly and it always helps to get a different perspective on the material.
IXL - really good for practice problems. And I’m pretty sure it goes up to calculus. It explains the solutions too, if you get them wrong. You have to pay for a membership, but most people don’t use it enough to have to pay, you get like 10 free problems a day.
Photomath - the most helpful math app you can get! All you have to do is take a picture of the problem, and it gives you a step-by-step solution to the problem. You have no idea how many times this app has saved me. And it’s totally free, too.
Symbolab - was mentioned above, but it’s a solver like Photomath except online. The only downside is you have to type it in, but it’s still super convenient with step-by-step solutions.
If your area has a “homework hotline” service, that can be super helpful for when you get super stuck on a problem and just can’t see what you’re doing wrong. Or you can just text a friend in your class. Whatever works.
You can totally bring your grade up! I was getting straight B’s and C’s in HA2, and I finally got an A on a test last week! So don’t give up! Good luck!
