Coping with Math Anxiety

1
Coping with Math Anxiety

• Original C.R. Doherty A. Smith 2003Updated
  T. Davis 2008

Accompanying Handout Do You Have Math Anxiety?
2
What is Math Anxiety?

• A worry or fear of mathematics caused by
• Prior bad experiences
• Missing basic skills
• Low self-confidence
• Feeling overwhelmed with assignments
• Test anxiety and going blank during tests

3
Do You Have Math Anxiety?

• The first step in learning how to manage anxiety
  is to admit to having it.
• Take the assessment handout Do You Have Math
  Anxiety now.
• Go with your gut feeling
• Be honest with yourself!
• There are no right or wrong answers.

4
Where is Your Anxiety Level?
5
The Science of Math Anxiety
If you have any of the above symptoms, there is
good news. These are learned responses and they
can be unlearned or managed!
6
How to Reduce Math Anxiety

• Realize that you are not alone and that anxiety
  can be managed.
• Simply stating you are worried or anxious can
  relieve some of the stress

7
How to Reduce Math Anxiety

• A positive attitude goes a long way to managing
  the feelings that make you feel ill and nervous
• I will fail!
• Think I will do my best.
• I will never learn this!
• Think Its hard for me, but with practice it
  will get better.

8
How to Reduce Math Anxiety

• Math is a skill that must be practiced, just like
  any other such as learning to read or write.
• Remember how hard it was when you first learned
  to read?
• Understand mathematics
• Dont try to memorize everything.
• Learn how processes work and why.

9
How to Reduce Math Anxiety

• Take advantage of your learning strengths and the
  things you know
• You always know more than you give yourself
  credit for.
• Be comfortable and relaxed when studying
• Sit in a comfortable area
• Move around go outside

10
How to Reduce Math Anxiety

• Develop a sense of responsibility for your own
  successes and failures.
• Accept the fact that you have to study and
  practice many hours to succeed.

mathematics
mathematics
11
Will the Anxiety Ever Go Away?

• Anxiety goes away for many people, once the
  source of the problem is solved.
• For others, the initial panic never goes away,
  but
• They learn to manage it better each time.
• They get over the feelings more quickly.
• Did you know that many singers and actors go
  through their whole careers with stage fright?

12
Related Lessons

• Powerpoint How to Study Math
• Powerpoint How to Read a Math Book
• Lesson How to Study
• Lesson How to Study Math
• Lesson Study Skills Matrix
• Lesson Reading Comprehension How
  to Read a Math Book.
• Lesson Math Reflections Feelings and
  Actions
• Lesson Math Reflections Feelings and
  Actions Revisited

13
Sources

• Sources from Original Powerpoint Presentation
  2003 by C. R. Doherty and A. Smith
• Study Skills Handbook, Learning Assistance
  Center, Northern Arizona University
• Math Anxiety, Middle Tennessee State University
  http//www.mtsu.edu/devstud2/anxiety.html
• Math Power, Professor Freedmans Math Help-
  http//www.mathpower.com/reduce.htm
• Tips for Making Mathematics Your Friend
  http//jcc.sunyjefferson.edu/tgrosse/ Tim Grosse.
• Math Counts http//mathcounts.org/Problems/strat
  egies.html
• Math Academy/ Platonic Realms- http//www.mathacad
  emy.com/pr/minitext/anxiety/index.aspstrat
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving-
  http//falcon.jmu.edu/ramseyil/critical.htm
• Mind Tools Problem Solving and Analytical
  Techniques http//www.psywww.com/mtsite/page2.html
  
• Reducing math anxiety and study tips, Rogue
  Community College http//www2.roguecc.edu/Mathema
  tics/Math20Anxiety/managing_math_anxiety.htm
• Oakland Community College http//www.occ.cc.mi.us/
  iic/iicah/AH_WWW_SSS_MAT.HTM
• Added Sources for Update 2008 by Tara L. Davis
• Math Cliff Cartoon http//math.ucr.edu/home/bae
  z/math_cliff.jpg
• Math Anxiety Cartoon http//jimmartin.typepad.co
  m/photos/uncategorized/anxiety.gif
• Math Glass Half Full Cartoon http//www.cartoons
  tock.com/lowres/ibn0001l.jpg
• Math Anxious Student Cartoon http//img.photobuc
  ket.com/albums/v109/Zquest/stress.jpg