Articles by Kate K.

As I said in my previous post, math has become a problem for so many students. Parents are frequently at a loss as to how to help their child in math (or pre-algebra, algebra, or ASVAB) as well. Why is math so difficult and scary for so many students? Is it because math is inherently more difficult than English and History? Is it because you "just can't understand or learn math"? Are pre-algebra and algebra too hard to learn? Is it the teacher's fault you haven't been able to comprehend math? If you are trying to get ready for your ASVAB is it too late to learn math? The answer to all of these, of course, is a resounding "no"!

You just need to find the right tool for the job. After all, a master carpenter would never succeed if he tried to cut a board with a hammer instead of a saw. The right study skills and right tutoring session can help you succeed. You really can become successful in math, pre-algebra, algebra, study skills and test taking! Would you like me to help you develop into a high achiever? You do not need to feel like a failure; you actually were built for success!

Math can actually be fun. As I said yesterday, understanding each concept gets you to the next level, like levels in a video game; it is all related. If you are struggling, I would love to tutor you so that you can reach the top level! Don't live in fear of the Math Monster. You can tame that monster--make math your friend! I do not believe math is beyond your abilities. Look at all that you learned in your first few years of life! You learned to communicate by learning an entire language, you learned to walk, feed yourself, and learned your role in life. So if you learned all of that, I can teach you how to learn math.

Let's get started!

Math has become a problem for so many students. Parents are frequently at a loss as to how to help their child in math, as well. Why is math so difficult and scary for so many students?

Is it because math is inherently more difficult than English and History? Is it because some people "just can't understand math"? Is it the teacher's fault? No to all of these, of course.

As my mom has always told me when I had difficulty with a subject and told her I couldn't learn that subject; "It's the same muscle, the same brain. If you can succeed in one area, you can learn to succeed in another." You need to find the right tool for the job, just as a carpenter would do!

So, let's look at where your struggle is. If you are struggling with solving for an unknown in an equation, and it looks like weird mystical magic, you must look at the concept behind it. Where does it begin? Do you remember memorizing your addition and subtraction facts? Your multiplication and division facts? Yes, that is what is behind solving for unknowns. In math it is important when problem solving to figure out what you DO know in the problem. Lay those out on your sketch or in your formula. Sometimes this helps you make that leap and see what to do next.

Before you leap, though, be sure to carefully look at what you are trying to determine. Don't panic, you can figure it out! If you do not know which method to use to solve the problem at this point, review the concepts. Can you see it now?

Math can actually be fun! Getting each concept gets you to the next level, like in a video game. It all builds and is all related. I would love to tutor you so you can reach each level. As one of my students says "Wow, I am a smarticus after all!". Yes you are!

It isn't too late. You can learn how to be superb at math! What are your thoughts about building your math levels concept by concept?

This is the time of year that high school upperclassmen and college freshmen are often in a panic. So are their parents. In today's economy, this is understandable. What is often surprising news to students and parents alike is how much the face of college education has changed!

In addition to tutoring at WyzAnt, I also have experience in showing students how to study, and how to maximize their college credits in a cheaper way---and often faster. The sooner you get your degree, the sooner you (in theory) can start earning a salary as a college graduate. If you earn your credits cheaply enough, you might not need scholarships or loans. You may be able to afford college without it. Or, at least you can minimize how many loans you need.

When I teach study skills, if the student and parent wish, I can provide this advisory service as well. Many people do not know the techniques for maximizing credits for as cheap as possible. No, you do NOT have to be a genius, a super-brilliant all AP student. That is a fallacy. You can learn, you can earn your degree--FAST!

If you are interested in learning how to do this, feel free to contact me through my blog; or you can hire me as your tutor.

Do you find yourself giving up or procrastinating on your reading and studying? Does it seem like there is an endless amount of work to finish between now and Christmas? I know you have heard a million times, "break it into smaller pieces". Maybe you need another way to do that.

Here is a way that has worked for some of my students. Let's say you have 9 chapters in your history textbook to read and understand by the end of the semester (and 3 exams---3 chapters per exam). Rather than be overwhelmed by that concept, what you can do is make up 3 separate index cards (one per exam--and write which chapters must be covered for that exam). For now, just refer to the card for the first exam. Take 3 post-its (and write 1 chapter on each). Stick the post-its on the exam card. Pick a deadline for each chapter. As soon as you finish a chapter--throw the post-it for that chapter away. There is something very satisfying and empowering to be able to pitch that post-it.

As soon as you feel like procrastinating, odds are you are focused on the 9 chapters. Re-focus! Grab your chapter cards. Tell yourself---I will finish 1 card; I will throw away post-its.

This may sound like an idea that cannot work. But it gets around the mental blocks that we tend to create and then use to procrastinate. This concept worked great for one of my students. He just couldn't get started on his reading assignments. As a matter of fact, we took a step backward from this strategy. I made a card for just 1 chapter. If the chapter was 21 pages long and he had a week to cover it, I would direct him to read only 3 pages a day. I added that if he knew he needed to take a day off during that week, he needed to have his page count for the week taken care of anyway. We would make a game of it, and try to estimate how many minutes it would take to thoroughly read those 3 pages. He began to see that no matter how huge the reading assignments, he could break it down into manageable sizes. If he had to read 140 pages during the week, but he could only bear to read 5 pages at a time, he needed to read 5 pages 4 times a day. Guess what? He quickly decided that he would rather read 20 pages at a time and be done for that day. But even if he needed to read only 5 pages at a time, he could get it done. Get the challenge or mountain down to the size where you almost laugh and say---of course I can do that much!

Success breeds success. Baby steps to the end of the course.....as one of my favorite students says, "slow and steady wins the race"!

You can succeed! Let me know if you try my techniques! I would love to tutor you and get you on your wonderful road to success!

If you are a high school or college student (or are tutoring one) think carefully about how you learn best. Besides that, though, think about what you dislike. Do you procrastinate about learning specific facts? Do you try to put off your reading assignments? If you have quiet music on in the background, does it help you learn facts?

I know that those of you who are struggling, you may have heard a million times: use a highlighter to note the important things in your texts and notes; make flashcards; create outlines; practice problems. Guess what? They are right and they are wrong. First of all, if making a strong effort to use these ideas still doesn't get the material in your head, you need a new method.

If you learn best by hearing the material, record yourself reciting the facts and information--then listen to yourself. If you need to see it, and flashcards and note cards don't get it in your head--try using different colors (either of cards or highlight the info with different colors.

A very effective method, which is used in learning centers at some of the Ivy League schools, is for the student to "teach the information to the wall," or to another student. If the student prepares a presentation to get the information across to someone else, it helps. Why? Through creating a presentation (or even just reciting the information aloud) the student involves multiple senses and becomes actively involved. By being part of the process, the student is more engaged in the information.

At the high school and college level, students should be able to do more than merely parrot the information back to the instructor. They should be able to apply the information and make connections to the real world, and see what the motivations and outcomes for an event are. By digging into the information more deeply, the student can learn to do this; once they know how to do it!