Math Anxiety

It is important to remember that math anxiety is a learned psychological response to math, which interferes with a student's ability to perform math. It is not a reflection of a student's true ability in math. There are a number of strategies a student can use to overcome the anxiety response.

• Review and learn basic arithmetic principles and methods. Many students, perhaps because of early negative experiences, never really developed a solid foundation in basic arithmetic, particularly multiplication and fractions. A remedial course in arithmetic is often a significant first step.
• Be aware of thoughts, feelings, and actions as they are related to math. Math anxiety affects different students in different ways. If you are aware of unrealistic or irrational thoughts you can work to replace those thoughts with more positive and realistic ones.
• Seek help! Math anxiety is learned and reinforced over a long period of time and therefore is not quickly eliminated. Visit the QEP Math Computer labs to get assistance with problems, hire a tutor to help you individually, review self-paced tutorials online, or make an appointment to talk with a counselor.
• Learn the vocabulary of mathematics. Math often uses words in a different way than other subjects. The term factor is an example. Students often confuse lack of understanding of terms and vocabulary with math ability.
• Learn anxiety reduction and anxiety management techniques. Anxiety can interfere with concentration, clear thinking, attention and memory. Students can learn relaxation techniques to control the emotional and physical characteristics of anxiety that interfere with mental processing capabilities.
• Work on having a positive attitude about math. This will build self-confidence and reduce anxiety.
• Learn positive self-talk. Giving yourself positive self-talk helps to counter and overcome your belief in the math myths or to stop playing mind games. Positive self-talk is effective in replacing negative thoughts, which create anxiety.

Adapted from the Counseling Center at Texas State University-San Marcos.

These websites contain information about math anxiety, how to determine whether you have it and strategies to overcome it.