5 Tips for Students Who “Just Don’t Get It”
We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at a desk, staring at a math problem that looks more like ancient hieroglyphics than anything recognizable. You’ve re-read the textbook chapter three times, but the numbers just aren’t clicking.
The frustration builds, and that familiar thought creeps in:
“I’m just not a math person.”
Here is the truth that nobody tells you often enough: Struggling with math does not mean you are bad at it. It usually just means you haven’t found the right way to unlock it yet.
Math isn’t about being born with a special “math gene.” It is a skill, much like learning to play an instrument or a sport. If you feel like you’re hitting a wall, it’s often a sign that your approach needs to shift, not your brain
If you are tired of feeling lost in class and want to finally stop fighting with your homework, here are five actionable tips to help you turn things around.
1. Stop Memorizing, Start Understanding
One of the biggest traps students fall into is trying to memorize formulas and steps without understanding why they work.
This might get you through a quiz on Tuesday, but by Friday, you’ll have forgotten everything. Math is cumulative. If you rely on memorization, the moment you face a problem that looks slightly different, you’ll freeze.
The Fix: Focus on the “why.” Ask yourself (or your teacher): “Why does this formula work?” If you understand the logic behind the steps, you can rebuild the solution yourself even if you forget the exact formula.
2. Master the “Basics” First (The Gap Theory)
Math is like a towering skyscraper. If the foundation on the 5th floor is shaky, you cannot build the 20th floor. Many students struggle with advanced Algebra not because Algebra is too hard, but because they never fully mastered fractions or multiplication tables from years earlier. This is called “The Gap Theory.”
The Fix: Be honest with yourself about where the gap is. If you are struggling with Calculus, but your Algebra skills are rusty, go back and review the Algebra. It might feel like a step backward, but strengthening those lower-level bricks will make the higher-level stuff feel infinitely easier.
3. Practice “Active” Problem Solving
Watching a teacher solve a problem on the board is like watching a chef cook a meal on TV. It looks easy when they do it, but the moment you step into the kitchen, you realize you don’t know how to hold the knife.
Passive studying (reading notes, watching videos) gives you a false sense of confidence. You actually have to get your hands dirty.
The Fix: After you review a concept, close the book. Try to solve a problem without looking at the solution. If you get stuck, fight with it for 10 minutes before peeking at the answer. The struggle is where the learning happens.
4. Use the “Feynman Technique”
This is arguably the most effective study method for difficult subjects. The concept is simple: You don’t truly understand something unless you can explain it in simple terms.
The Fix:Take out a blank sheet of paper.
Write down the concept you are struggling with (e.g., “Quadratic Equations”).
Try to explain it as if you were teaching it to a 5-year-old. Avoid jargon.
When you get stuck or your explanation gets confusing, that’s exactly where your gap in understanding is. Go back to the books to fill that specific gap, then try to explain it again.
5. Change Your Relationship with Mistakes
In English class, a red mark means you made a mistake. In math, a wrong answer is just data.
Math anxiety often comes from a fear of being wrong. But in the world of mathematics, finding out why an answer is wrong is the only way to find the right one. Every time you fix a mistake, your brain creates a stronger neural pathway.
The Fix: Stop erasing your wrong answers immediately. Circle them. Look at them. Ask, “Where did I take the wrong turn?” Often, looking at the error is more valuable than getting the right answer on the first try.
The Bottom Line
You are capable of understanding math. It requires patience, a shift in mindset, and a willingness to try new methods. Stop telling yourself you “just don’t get it,” and start telling yourself, “I don’t get it yet.”
Start with one of these tips today, preferably the Feynman Technique and see how quickly the fog begins to clear.
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