Math Teacher’s 7 Simple Steps for How to Get Better at Math

My students are always surprised when I reveal that I wasn’t always great at math. The reactions range from “but you’re a math teacher” to “how can you not be naturally good at math if you’re a math teacher?”

But the truth is that there was a time in my life where I struggled with math just like many students do. There was a time where I felt frustrated and convinced that I just wasn’t cut out to be a “math person”. 

But over time, I learned an important secret about learning mathematics that I will share with you here! Contrary to what many people think, being good at math has very little to do with natural talent.

Just like getting better at anything, getting better at math is about hard work, having the right mindset, and using effective strategies to improve. 

My goal is to share my top tips that I have used as a math teacher and mindset coach to help thousands of students overcome their struggles, conquer math anxiety, and develop confidence in their problem solving skills.

These are the exact tips that I took when I learned how to get better at math so that I could not only overcome my own struggles with math, but also master the subject to become a math teacher. 

If I can do it, so can you!

The journey to improving your math abilities starts with believing in yourself, practicing regularly, and being open to challenges. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Develop the Right Mindset

Many students assume that getting better at math is just about doing more practice. As you will see, practice is actually the last tip I recommend on this list!

The truth is, you need to start with the right mindset before anything else.

Your mindset is the way that you see and interpret the challenges that you face throughout your life. This includes the challenge of learning mathematics.

One of the best things you can do to improve in math is to develop a positive mindset toward mathematics. One of the first steps to taking control of your mindset is using positive self-talk when you talk to yourself about your math abilities.

For example, instead of thinking, “I’ll never get this,” remind yourself that learning math is like learning a new language and it takes time and practice.

Use positive self-talk to encourage yourself when problems feel difficult. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I haven’t mastered this yet, but I will.” With a growth mindset, you’ll start seeing challenges as opportunities to grow and improve instead of impossible obstacles that define your abilities.

Step 2: Understand That Struggle is a Good Thing

Math is tough sometimes, and that’s okay. The truth is, if math feels easy all the time, you probably aren’t learning anything new.

Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Constantly exposing yourself to new ideas and concepts is what helps you learn and grow in all areas of your life, and math is no different!

Many people fear leaving their comfort zone because they fear failing. “What will people think of me if I make a mistake?” is a common negative self-talk phrase I hear students use.

But making mistakes and getting a wrong answer isn’t failure, and it doesn’t make you bad at math. Instead, it’s an important part of the learning process. Every mistake is a clue, showing you where you need to focus your efforts.

When you struggle, you’re actually developing stronger problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. So the trick is, instead of seeing a challenge as something to avoid, try to view it as an opportunity to strengthen your mathematical skills.

The more you work through difficult problems, the better equipped you’ll be to handle even tougher ones in the future.

The key is positive reinforcement: when you push through difficulties and eventually succeed, you build confidence in your mathematical skills. Every time you tackle a tough problem and figure it out, you’re proving to yourself that you are capable.

Over time, these small wins add up. Before long, you will find yourself feeling more confident in yourself and your problem-solving skills.

Math isn’t about being perfect. I still make mistakes myself!

Instead, it’s about persistence. If you stick with it, embrace each challenge, and believe in your ability to improve, you’ll not only get better at math, but you’ll also develop resilience that will help you in many other areas of life.

Step 3: Find Gaps and Strengthen Your Foundations

One of the main reasons that students find math hard is because they lack strong foundations. Math is a unique subject where each topic builds upon the previous topic.

When I was in elementary school, I remember missing class one day for an appointment. It turns out that I missed a lesson on rounding. I made the mistake of not catching up, and I carried this gap in my learning forward into my studies for years to come.

I struggled with rounding until one of my teachers pointed out that I had a missing foundational skill.

One of the most important tips I can share if you want to get better at math is to spend some time digging deep into your foundations. See if you can find any areas where you have gaps in your understanding of basic concepts.

You may have to ask your teacher for help with this. Ask for a collection of basic math problems that you can complete to check for any gaps.

Before trying to improve or tackle more advanced topics, make sure you’ve mastered basic math skills. Without a solid grasp of the core concepts, more complex problems will feel overwhelming.

Step 4: Know Your Learning Style

Have you ever noticed how most of your math teachers teach the same way? They stand at the front of the board, talk about math, and you as the student are expected to learn the math.

The truth is that this doesn’t work for everyone. There isn’t one single best way to learn and study math. 

Some students excel by just listening and learning. Other students understand concepts better through hands-on practice. The key is to explore different methods until you find what works best for you.

Not sure what your learning style is? Here are some common styles and how they can help you improve in math:

• Visual Learners: If you understand math better when you see it, you might benefit from diagrams, graphs, or color-coded notes. Try watching YouTube tutorial videos, drawing concept maps, or focusing on textbook examples with plenty of visuals.
• Auditory Learners: If you remember things best when you hear them, reading aloud, explaining concepts to a friend, or listening to math lessons might work for you. You could also try recording your own explanations and playing them back.
• Kinesthetic Learners: If you learn best by doing, hands-on practice is essential. Using manipulatives, drawing problems out, or finding real-world applications of math concepts in your everyday life will help you engage with math in a more meaningful way.

Once you identify your learning style, you can use it to learn math more effectively. You might even find it more enjoyable! 

Don’t be afraid to try different ways of learning until you find what makes math click for you.

When you align your study habits with your learning style, you’ll find that even tricky math problems start to make more sense.

Step 5: Understand That Math Is About Problem-Solving

When I tell people I teach math, their reaction is always something like “wow, you must be really good with numbers”. But the truth is I am very average when it comes to working with numbers.

What makes me an effective mathematician is my ability to think critically and solve problems.

Math is about developing strong logical reasoning and problem-solving techniques that allow you to see connections between concepts. 

One of the most important problem-solving skills in math is the ability to select and apply the correct strategy for a given problem. In a non-math context, this means understanding when to bring a fork to the dinner table, and when to bring a spoon.

Developing your problem-solving skills, even in a non-math context, is one of the most important tips I can share to help you learn how to get better at math.

Check out my strategies for improving your problem solving skills to get started!

Step 6: Care Less About Grades

When my students ask me how to get better at math, the truth is that they are really asking how to get better grades in math.

In general, I don’t think people are ashamed to admit that they struggle with math. But, as soon as you attach a number to your understanding, it becomes easier to show just how much you struggle with math. This becomes embarrassing for some students, so they reach out to attempt to improve their marks.

But there is a flaw in this approach that actually keeps students from succeeding.

Wait, what? How does trying to get better grades make it harder to learn math?

The problem with this approach is that students start to shift their focus away from the process and toward the result. 

The truth is that getting better grades is something that will come naturally if you are able to focus on learning and enjoying math.

Think about it logically. Would it make sense for a person who enjoys math and works at it to not see their hard work reflected in their grade? Of course not!

And that’s just what I have seen in my experience teaching math.

The students who work hard to try to improve their study habits, fill in gaps in their understanding, and improve their problem-solving skills do end up getting better grades.

By comparison, the students who stress about their grades and worry about each and every test tend to cave under the pressure that they are putting on themselves!

Now don’t get me wrong, I do think grades are at least somewhat important. But I see them more as a communication tool.

Grades are designed to be feedback to tell you where to focus your efforts. The problem is that many students see them as a permanent reflection of their ability, while missing the valuable feedback they provide about how to get better at math.

Step 7: Practice Makes Progress

There’s a reason why I left this tip so much later in the list. As I said, many people (and even teachers!) will tell you that the secret to getting better at math is practice.

But, based on the tips I have shared so far: 

• If you practice with a negative mindset toward math and your abilities, you’re unlikely to see much improvement. Your attitude shapes your success.
• If you practice expecting everything to be easy, you’ll quickly become frustrated when you face challenges. Math requires persistence.
• If you practice without filling in gaps in your knowledge, you’ll struggle to complete the practice problems effectively. A strong foundation is essential.
• If you don’t know your learning style, your study sessions will be less efficient, and you may not be making the most of your efforts.
• If you haven’t developed your problem-solving skills, your practice sessions will feel harder than they need to be, making progress slower and more frustrating.
• If you are focusing on your grades, you risk losing the motivation to improve before you even start practicing.

As you can see, there are six things that I believe are more important to focus on before you start practicing. Once these are in place, your practice will be far more productive and you’ll actually start seeing results.

If you want to improve your math practice, there’s no substitute for consistent practice. Set aside study time each day and stick to a study schedule. Even 20–30 minutes of daily practice can make a big difference.

Regular practice is key. Just like learning to play an instrument or a sport, improving at math requires repetition.

To help you improve your study habits, check out my top tips for how to study for a math test and absolutely crush it!

Your Mindset is the Key to Your Math Success

If you take away only one thing from this guide, let it be this: getting better at math isn’t just about practice. It’s about your mindset toward math.

Many students believe that struggling with math means they aren’t “math people.” But as we’ve seen, that’s simply not true. Success in math doesn’t come from natural talent; it comes from hard work, persistence, and the right mindset.

Instead of dreading mistakes, embrace them. Instead of focusing solely on grades, focus on growth. Instead of seeing math as a subject you “have to” do, start seeing it as a skill you can improve, just like any other.

One of the most important things you can do as a math student is to ask for extra help when you need it. No one learns in isolation! Every great mathematician, scientist, and engineer has relied on teachers, mentors, and peers to strengthen their understanding.

If you’re struggling with a concept, don’t wait until you’re completely lost. Seek out additional resources, join a study group, or talk to your teacher. There are so many different ways to learn math, and sometimes, all it takes is hearing an explanation in a new way for everything to click.

If you’re looking for more support in your math learning, I’ve got you covered! On my YouTube channel, I break down tricky math topics, share problem-solving strategies, and provide practical tips to help you build confidence in math.

Remember, math is not about being perfect! It’s about making progress. With the right mindset, the right strategies, and the right support, you can get better at math. 

Keep going, keep growing, and never be afraid of the rewarding challenges math provides you with!

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