What Is Maths Anxiety, and How Can Teachers Help

You must have seen students complaining about Maths anxiety, but have you ever wondered what it is exactly? People say that Maths anxiety is about getting nervous when doing Maths, but it’s not just that. 

Almost every student gets nervous during the examination season; it is normal. Due to anxiety, some students are terrified of appearing for the examination or sometimes are not able to complete their examination on time. The most common anxiety symptoms among students that have been noticed are

  • Panic
  • Tension
  • Sweaty palms
  • Increased heart rate
  • Low performance
  • Drop in the level of confidence

In this article, we have shared in detail how students can overcome Maths anxiety and focus on their goals.

Table of Contents

  • Causes of Maths Anxiety
  • How Can Teachers Help Students Overcome the Issue
  • Need of Tuition
  • How to Find a Suitable Tuition

Causes of Maths Anxiety

Here, let us look into the reasons that lead to Maths anxiety among students. 

  • Experiences: It is usually noticed that students start showing anxiety symptoms due to negative experiences. For example, a child who has failed their Maths examination in the past gets affected due to it and starts getting panic attacks the day before the test. This could lead to Maths anxiety.
  • Scores: Sometimes, due to the pressure of scoring well in the examination, students start building anxiety issues.
  • Teachers: The teaching style of a teacher matters a lot. If a student cannot understand the teaching method, they won’t be able to comprehend the concepts. As a result, they might start getting distressed during the exam period.
  • Peer pressure: The competition around us has increased manifold. This has started building an environment of stress among students. Maths is considered a complex subject, and therefore, learners fail to score well in examinations. As a result, their anxiety builds further.
  • Time limit: When practising Maths at home, students can take as much time as they want, but during the examination, they have to consider the stipulated time period. Some questions take longer than others, so students may not be able to complete their exams on time. This can result in Maths anxiety.

How Can Teachers Help Students Overcome the Issue

From what we have observed, having Maths anxiety does not mean that students will never be able to succeed in the subject. There have been many instances where Maths geniuses have struggled with similar issues. French mathematician Laurent Schwartz wrote about his struggle with Maths anxiety in his autobiography, A Mathematician Grappling with His Century.

When students start to face issues like anxiety or fear, the role of teachers becomes even more critical because it is only through their teaching and guidance that students can overcome such issues. Here are some steps that students can take to deal with Maths anxiety.

  • Step by step: Don’t jump into teaching many concepts at one particular time; instead, ascertain the student’s speed to absorb the concepts and move on according to that.
  • Build confidence: Confidence is the key. Once students build trust, they can solve Maths questions or understand the equation easily. This, in turn, boosts their confidence, and the willingness to practise also increases. Besides, it helps in dealing with anxiety. So, try out activities or methods that offer students the space to become confident.
  • Mindset: A strong attitude helps to deal with negative situations. When the concepts are clear to students, they feel more confident. Questions become easy to understand, and they can focus on studying properly. This helps to develop a positive mindset towards studying Maths, and as a result, the anxiety gradually starts to diminish.
  • Methods of teaching: The techniques used to teach students can impact them. The learning capacity of each student is different. Try to keep their interests in mind to make studying Maths more interesting.
  • Assessments: Regular assessment helps students to get familiar with questions, the exam pattern and the time limit. This aids in dealing with anxiety better.
  • Parent-teacher relationship: A strong understanding between parents and teachers helps them assess students’ requirements better. Both parents and teachers need to take adequate measures to help the learner.

Need of Tuition

Now you must be thinking about how tuition helps to deal with anxiety. To answer this question, we have laid out some pointers below. 

  • Attention: At tuition, the total strength of students is comparatively lower than that of a school classroom. Therefore, tutors can pay more attention to students. Moreover, teachers can build a friendly relationship with students, making them feel more secure in communicating their issues.
  • Regular assessment: Standard short- and long-format tests are conducted at tuition to analyse students better. Tutors only move forward to the next concept once the concept is absolutely clear to learners. This helps with taking tests confidently. Students become more comfortable, and their anxiety level gradually starts decreasing.
  • Resolve queries: Doubt-solving sessions are conducted after completing each chapter in the syllabus. This aids students in making their concept base strong.
  • Teaching style: Students cannot choose their teachers at school, but at tuition, they can. Students get the flexibility to choose the teaching style that suits their needs and pace of studying.
  • Environment: Students get an interactive learning environment to discuss their issues with teachers and peers. This regular communication culture allows them to present their thoughts and strengthen their conceptual understanding.

How to Find a Suitable Tuition

Students facing difficulty in Maths should look for a tuition centre based on the factors mentioned below.

  • Proximity: The learning centre should be near a student’s house so that they don’t have to waste their timetravelling.
  • Teachers: The tutor should be updated with the latest developments in the curriculum and know the latest teaching tools. Apart from this, they should have a proven track record of teaching.
  • Reviews: Take feedback from students and parents availing of services of the tuition centre.
  • Study material: Check whether the tuition centre provides easy-to-understand study materials. They should include question banks and explanation booklets.
  • Assessment structure: Tests should be conducted regularly to assess students’ growth. Furthermore, regular parent-teacher meetings help to understand students better and build a transparent relationship.

In order to help its students at a greater scale, BYJU’S has opened around 80 tuition centres, where they get the chance to attend offline classes from our subject experts and resolve all their doubts. Our teachers have a proven track record and use tested and successful teaching strategies according to students’ requirements.