Mathsphobiaandhowtobeatit.PDF

Maths phobia and how to beat it From the Skills Team, University of Hull This guide aims to discuss the problems people have with learning and using mathematics, and explain strategies to counteract them. There are often different ways of doing things in Mathematics and the methods suggested in the worksheets may not be the ones you were taught. If you are successful and happy with the methods you use it may not be necessary for you to change them. If you have problems or need help in any part of the work then there are a number of ways you can get help. For students at the University of Hull  Ask your lecturers.  You can contact a Mathematics Tutor from the Skills Team on the email shown below.  Access more Maths Skills Guides and resources at the website below. The fear of maths Many people have a deep-seated fear of mathematics, and maths tutors see a lot of scared students. There is not a ‘type’ of student that has a problem with maths; it could be anyone. They could be college leavers or mature students, first years or PhD students, local students or international students. There seems to me to be no discernible pattern to the students with this problem. The fear of maths may not seem as scary as a fear of snakes or tarantulas; but think about it - when was the last time you encountered a snake in the checkout queue at the supermarket, on your phone bill, or in your homework (biologists excepted from the latter). People who fear maths have to deal with that fear on a daily basis. Clearly it can be a major problem, and can seriously affect people’s lives. Maths phobia affects people’s lives by making them:  lose confidence in themselves and in their academic abilities  trust blindly any bills they receive, because they daren’t question the figures  shy away from helping their kids with their homework  avoid courses in case they contain maths  leave courses when they