Why Do Students Find Mathematics So Difficult to Learn?

Why Do Students Find Mathematics So Difficult to Learn?

What is mathematics? It is not only about solving numerical problems. Mathematics definition is that it is a scientific study of quality and a mixture of philosophical history, theory and theorems. It is an important part of our daily lives and is used almost everywhere and in every field. Illustrative mathematics, discrete mathematics, applied mathematics, supreme mathematics, finite mathematics, financial mathematics, and general mathematics are the different branches and perspectives of math. All these applications help in the conceptual understanding of maths and have been applied in a wide variety of educational settings.

Math is an important part of the curriculum. From childhood, students are provided with a foundation for learning math, numbers, and other concepts. However, as they move forward in their classes, the students experience many issues understanding mathematical concepts. Many students start hating this subject to the core, and also the teacher who teaches it. Some of them even start pondering requests, Is it possible to pay someone to take my online class for me? The fear of math and math anxiety is real which makes them rely on professional helpers for external assistance. In this blog post, we have discussed everything about maths and will try to help all math learners overcome their subject fear. 

Best Universities in the World for Mathematics – 2024

Are you interested in learning maths? Are you searching for the best offering of offline and online mathematics degrees? Before selecting any university for learning, there are a few things that you must consider, like the employers’ reputation, research and discovery, global engagement, international fees, scholarships, English, and academic tests. All these factors will help you make the right decision.

Here is the list of the best universities in the world for maths learning. 

1- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, United States

MIT is one of the top universities offering the best maths degree. This university is known for its high acceptance rate. Only 7% of applicants with strong academic records in maths gain admission here. As an international student, you might meet English proficiency requirements. Math courses offered at MIT are:

  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Mathematics
  • Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering

2- University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Cambridge is the second-best university for learning a mathematics degree. This university is known for its academic excellence and world-class faculty. Studying at this faculty will help in better opportunities for research and career development in both academia and industry. ​

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mathematics
  • Integrated Master of Mathematics (MMath)
  • Master of Advanced Study (MASt) in Mathematics
  • MPhil in Computational Biology
  • MPhil in Finance
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics

3- Stanford University, Stanford, United States

The third-best university as per the QS World University Rankings 2024 for learning math is Stanford University. Calculus and Linear Algebra, Mathematical Foundations, Abstract Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Analysis, and Geometry are some of the course structures of math.

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Computational Science
  • Master of Science (MS) in Mathematics
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics
  • PhD Minor in Mathematics

4- University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

Oxford University is the fourth-best university for learning math, with an employer reputation of 97.4. The University of Oxford offers some top math-related degree programs. World-Class Education, Research Opportunities, Personalized Learning, Versatility, Collegiate System, and Exceptional Resources are some of the top reasons to study math at this university. Mathematics degrees offered at the Oxford University are listed down below.

  • BA in Mathematics
  • BA in Mathematics and Philosophy
  • BA in Mathematics and Statistics
  • BA in Mathematics and Computer Science
  • MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS)
  • DPhil in Mathematics
  • MSc by Research in Mathematics
  • MMath in Mathematics

5- Harvard University, Cambridge, United States

Of all the other professions in the field of math research, a mathematician is the most reputed and paid one. Do you also want to become a research mathematician? With the top math degree offered at Harvard University, Cambridge, United States, you can gain the necessary skills to become a professional mathematician. The best math courses offered at Harvard University are:

  • Master of Science [M.S] Biostatistics
  • Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] Statistics
  • Bachelor of Science [B.S] Statistics
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Applied Mathematics
  • Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Mathematics
  • BA in Mathematics
  • Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics

These are the top universities in the world with the best math degree programs. Whether you want to learn introductory courses or intermediate and advanced courses, you can find the best programs here. Learning math will help in having a deep understanding of mathematical concepts, problem-solving techniques, and their applications.

Top Online Mathematics Degrees

An online mathematics degree has a lot of advantages. Flexibility, affordability, and specialization are some of the advantages of learning math online. If you are interested in pursuing an online mathematics degree, find some of the best courses right below.

  1. B.S. in Mathematics
  2. B.S. in Mathematics with a focus on physics
  3. M.A. in Education (Mathematics Education)
  4. B.A. in Mathematics
  5. Master’s in Applied Mathematics
  6. Master of Science in Mathematics
  7. M.A.Ed. in Mathematics Education
  8. Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Applied Mathematics 
  9. M.Ed. in Mathematics Education
  10. M.S. in Mathematical Sciences

Struggles Students Face in Learning Mathematics

Math is one of those subjects that only a handful of students like to study and score good grades in. Many of the students face a lot of problems getting even a passing grade in it. Some of the smarter ones get assistance, which helps them easily score good grades in their academics. However, despite seeking help, it is also true that math is a subject that students find difficult to study. To understand things better, let us now discuss the challenges experienced by the math student in this blog post.

mathematics

1- Difficult to learn: 

Yes, difficulty in learning is one of the most common problems faced by math students. Despite trying hard, the students struggle to understand their mathematical concepts. However, if they get full support from their parents and teachers, things could be different, and they could also understand and solve their mathematical problems.

2. Not proper guidance from teachers: 

In a traditional classroom, the teacher keeps on explaining the problems one by one. They don’t pay attention to whether all students are learning or not. All they want is to finish the syllabus by the deadline. The bright students team up with the teacher while the average student struggles to understand the concepts.

3. A problem in remembering: 

Math is a subject full of formulas, equations, concepts, procedures, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, facts, figures, etc. Most of the students have issues remembering this term and end up scoring less.

4. Mathematics disabilities: 

Students suffering from dyscalculia often suffer from learning math. They face difficulty in calculating the numerators and coordinating with the sums. They cannot extract estimated results or process the arithmetic numbers.

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5. Lack of practice:

Maths is a subject that requires a lot of practice. Learning just in the classroom is not enough. The students who practice a lot in their homes and classes are the ones who score well in math. No one can ever score well by memorizing arithmetic equations.

6. Mathematics is not supposed to be studied:

Math is a problem-solving subject, which you should not try to study. If you are studying, then this is probably the reason why you are not scoring well on math exams and assignments. Understand the problems, try to solve them, practice, and learn mathematical skills.

It is a known fact that most students don’t like math. Whatever the reason, if we look at it from a knowledge point of view, math is the best subject. It will develop problem-solving skills, help understand things better, and act as an exercise brain. Having strong mathematical skills, you can easily learn courses like accounting in college and land the best jobs. Accounting is more or less like math, and with good mathematical skills, you can easily solve all of your accounting course problems. In terms of difficulty or confusion working on your online accounting classes, you may also ask for help. Place a simple request of, Can someone take my online accounting class and earn top grades in all of your accounting classes? If you have a strong foundation in math, you can easily understand other courses like accounting, statistics, and finance at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How to Overcome Math Anxiety

Have you ever heard of mathematical anxiety? Yes, you read that right; it exists among a lot of students. They feel a sense of nervousness seeing their math teacher, sitting in the math period, or even working on their math problems. If you are a student who experiences this problem, it needs to be solved immediately. Solutions to these problems are given below in this blog post.

1. Prepare well: 

Lack of preparation is the major reason for mathematics stress. So tighten your belt and start practicing day and night. Once you work on every problem, you will automatically gain a sense of confidence and overcome your fear. Separate a few hours of your day to learn and practice mathematical concepts.

In undergraduate programs, math is not the only subject you will learn. There might be other subjects like English that will need your attention. In case you spend a lot of time practicing math and miss out on other subjects like English, you may get professional help to solve problems. Hiring tutors will help you overcome study anxiety. A simple search of Can someone take my online English class on Google? will help you receive excellent class assistance. Academic pressure and anxiety are real and can worsen if left untreated. Students must not take it lightly. If you feel difficulty or a problem comprehending any of your courses, get help before it’s too late.

2. Clear your mathematics doubts: 

The best way to deal with mathematical problems is to never carry the baggage of doubts. Ask questions to your teachers and try to clear up your doubts then and there.

3. Feel free to take help: 

There is no doubt that math is quite a complex subject to learn. It is okay to experience problems with learning. Understand that you are not the only person who feels this way, and always be open to taking help. It might be from your parents, friends, teachers, or anyone else.

4. Hire a mathematics tutor: 

The most prevalent cause of math stress is that pupils do not comprehend the material being covered in class. If you do this, consider hiring a professional home or online tutor to assist you. Learn from them, share your struggles with them, and get better grades.

5. Prioritize comprehension over memorization: 

Are you a student who tries to memorize mathematical concepts to score well? Yes, don’t do this, as you will be in big trouble. What if you forget everything in your exam? feels scary, right? So don’t ever do this. Rather than memorizing, try to understand your concepts. Use the math shortcut to learn, but not any other shortcut, as it will cause you anxiety and stress.

6. Take breaks:

Do not study math continuously, as it can cause you stress. Take breaks in between studies and reward yourself at the end.

Dyscalculia, pressure from parents, negative classroom experiences, academic coping, and fear of embarrassment are a few of the causes of math anxiety. However, with the above tips, one can easily overcome math stress. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented mathematics?
There is no proper information about who invented maths. However, it is said that Archimedes is the father of math.
What is discrete mathematics?
The study of mathematical structures is known as discrete mathematics. Graph theory, combinatorics, logic, algorithms, set theory, and number theory are the core concepts of discrete mathematics.
What is applied mathematics?
It is a branch of maths that focuses on mathematical methods and techniques with better career opportunities. Mathematical modeling, computation and simulation, applications, and the study of advanced topics are some of the key characteristics of learning applied mathematics.
What can you do with a mathematics degree?
Pursuing a maths degree will open better career opportunities. Education, software development, data science and analytics, cryptography, and engineering are some of the common career paths in this field.