How Do I Study For Maths?

In previous posts, we have stressed the importance of studying smart rather than hard. This is not only in Maths, but also across your subjects generally. If you haven’t read these posts, you can do so by clicking each of the links below:

• Maximising Your HSC Advanced Maths Marks and Not Your Hours of Study
• How You Can Make the Most Out of 2022 Academically

So okay, we’ve said this. But what does “studying smart” actually look like on a daily (and weekly) basis? The first point we’d like to make is that “studying smart” is not just related to how effectively you can learn the content of your Maths subjects; it involves having an effective study system for both reinforcing the content you learn in class and developing the mathematical skills you will need to succeed. 

What does this mean? In the same way that McDonalds has a set process for how its employees need to make a Big Mac, having a study system for Maths means that you should have a set structure for how you should spend your time each week. This will make your study more consistent and efficient, allowing you to spend more time and brain power on absorbing the material. 

With that said, let’s get into our “study system”. Here is an overview of the steps in our system:

1. Make summary sheets of the material you have learnt in class.
2. Attempt exercises and record mistakes made.
3. Revise your summary sheets and mistakes the following day, and then the following week. 

Let’s get into each one!!

1. Make summary sheets of the material you have learnt in class.

Let’s say you’ve had Maths at school today or at tutoring. As soon as you get home, make a quick summary sheet of what you have learnt. The summary sheet should only take about 10-15 minutes to make and will include key formulae and brief summaries of the concepts. The advantage of doing this on the same day you learn the material is that the material is still fresh in your mind. When making summary sheets, we’d encourage you to make them as visual and colourful as possible. Use flowcharts to represent thought processes and use different colours for different formulae. 

In doing this, you’re not only revising the material, but you’re also making summary sheets that you can use when completing workbook exercises and revising for exams. Genius, right? 

2. Attempt exercises and record mistakes made.

After you’ve made your summary sheets, attempt textbook exercises and/or past paper questions. Make sure you mark your answers and review the worked solutions for any questions you got wrong, correcting your working with a red pen if need be (or writing the correct working next to where you worked). Then reattempt these questions and see if you can get the correct answer. After you’ve done this, make sure you record your mistakes on a “mistakes sheet” so you know that you need to revisit those particular concepts/questions in the future.

Now, here are some general tips for completing exercises:

• Attempt a mix of questions. You should be completing exercises that vary in style and in difficulty. For example, if I am studying quadratic equations,  I would practise solving quadratic equations in different formats. Examples: x2+5x+4=0; x2-4=0 (here I would need to revise a difference of two squares), & 14-3x+2×2!! 
• Try to attempt at least one question from a past paper. This way, you are becoming familiar with the style of questions given to you in your exams. There’s no need to attempt an entire past paper unless you’re 1-2 weeks out from your exams); attempting one question every study session will accumulate over time. It’s often the little habits that count!!

3. Revise your summary sheets and mistakes the following day, and then the following week. 

On the day after your main “study session” in Step #2, go back and review your summary sheet and any mistakes you made when completing the exercises. See if you can get the correct answer without looking at the worked solutions. 

Repeat the same process a week after your main study session. 

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – an effective study system for Maths!! The system we’ve proposed is quite flexible. Depending on your year level, you might do this only on the days you have maths, or you might do it every day. Regardless of when you study, the principles remain the same. 

Now, we do acknowledge there may be days where “life happens” and you miss your scheduled study sessions. That’s fine; just squeeze in 10-15 minutes to complete the summary sheets and read over it. A little bit of study is better than nothing at all. 

Good luck 🙂