Many adults returning to school to continue their education or to enroll in continuing education programs have math anxiety. This anxiety is typically based on the fact that math falls into the category of “use it or lose it” knowledge skills. This is primarily because abstract math skills must be used on a regular basis to retain this knowledge.
Although math anxiety grips many adults returning to school to continue their education, it should not deter you or any adult who wants to return to school. Math skills can be regained and math anxiety can be overcome using strategies described below.
If college math placement tests find remedial or development math courses are necessary, then it is to your advantage to complete these courses. These courses will help regain forgotten math skills and prepare you for success in college level mathematics courses, such as college algebra.
Remedial or developmental math courses typically begin with a zero, such as “010.” These courses rarely count for college credit and must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in “100 Level or higher” math courses.
Strategies for Regaining Math Skills
Even if math placement testing does not require the completion of math remedial or developmental courses, being realistic about math skills is essential. If you barely passed the math placement test or it has been years since taking a math course, then the following strategies are recommended:
- Enroll in a remedial or developmental math course anyway, because jumping straight into college algebra after being out of school for several years may not be in your best interest. This is especially important if high school algebra skills were weak.
- Visit on-campus math tutoring centers. These centers are operated and funded as a part of student fees and are available at no charge. These math tutoring centers are helpful in regaining math skills and overcoming math anxiety.
- If enrolled in a distance learning program, you may need to hire a math tutor to help rebuild math skills or overcome math anxiety.
- Join a math study group. These groups are typically formed by class members to help each other overcome math anxiety and develop the math skills necessary to pass the class.
- Use math homework help resources found on the Internet. Be careful to use these resources only for help and not as a crutch.
- Your learning style affects the way you learn math, take the two minute learning style test to determine how you learn. Knowing how you learn can help you develop strategies for learning math.
- Other strategies for ovecoming math anxiety.
For adults who have been out of school for many years, you will find the need to not only learn math, you will also need to learn how to use a graphing calculator and computer math resources. Knowledge of how to use these two technology tools is essential for success in college math.
Graphing calculators are required in most college algebra and higher math classes. If you are not familiar with graphing calculators then take advantage of math tutoring centers, join math study groups, or hiring a math tutor.
Computer-based math programs are typically taught to students in math computer labs as part of a math class. The use of Internet based math resources is helpful completing homework assignments and math learning strategies.
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Adults returning to school often find the need to regain their math skills and overcome math anxiety. Many of these same adults, once math skills return or math anxiety is overcome, find math more interesting and easier due to life and work experiences. The important point is to not let math anxiety keep you from achieving your life’s goals.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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