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Why Is Math So Hard? 5 Reasons and How to Overcome Them

As an experienced teacher who has worked with hundreds upon hundreds of students, I’ve seen firsthand how common struggles with math can be. 

But I’ve also helped students understand that overcoming these challenges is possible with the right strategies, mindset, and support. 

Many math students struggle with feelings of fear and frustration, which can make the subject seem even harder than it is. But the truth is, math—like any skill—can be learned and mastered with the right approach and the right mindset.

But that doesn’t mean that it is easy.

My goal is to explain just why math is so hard, while also sharing some tips on how to develop a positive math mindset that will help you tackle challenges with confidence, embrace growth, and see math as a skill you can build over time.

Why Is Math So Hard? The Top 5 Reasons

There are a number of reasons why students find math challenging, and they vary from student to student.

Let’s take a look at the top five common reasons why math feels so hard. These are all based on real observations that I have made throughout my teaching career.

1. Math Anxiety

One of the biggest hurdles students face is math anxiety. The fear of failure can create a vicious cycle: struggling in math leads to avoidance, which leads to more struggles. This negative mindset often prevents students from engaging fully and learning effectively.

The roots of math anxiety often lie in early experiences with poor performance, struggling with rote memorization, or the pressure to achieve the right answer quickly. These experiences can create a lasting impression that math is a stressful subject.

In the worst cases, students will internalize the belief that they just don’t have the natural talent to be a “math person”. I have seen students that are limited by this belief all throughout their studies of secondary mathematics. 

The good news is that math anxiety can be overcome. By shifting focus from perfection to growth, celebrating small victories, and providing a supportive environment, students can rebuild their confidence and approach math with a positive math mindset.

2. Difficult Concepts Across Grade Levels

One of the main reasons that math is considered so hard is because it is hard. After all, we’re talking about a system of tools that helps us analyze and understand the many complex relationships that exist in the universe!

Math is filled with difficult problems, abstract concepts, and complex ideas.

While these difficult concepts may feel overwhelming, the challenges that they present are a good way to learn and grow. Tackling them builds critical thinking and perseverance. 

The hardest part that I have seen my students struggle with is learning to give themselves space to be curious and explore these difficult mathematics concepts without succumbing to the pressure of “getting a good grade”.

3. Different Learning Styles

We all have our own different learning styles that we prefer when learning any new information. 

Visual learners benefit from visual representations or visual aids, while others may thrive with hands-on activities that use real objects to make abstract mathematical concepts more tangible.

But when our learning styles aren’t acknowledged, or we don’t know what our preferred learning style is, math can start to feel really difficult. 

Using tailored strategies, such as incorporating visual aids or hands-on activities, not only makes learning more accessible but also builds confidence by aligning with your strengths.

Learning to recognize the way you learn best and tailoring your approach to math accordingly is the key to overcoming math struggles.

Identifying and embracing your learning style helps turn math into an opportunity for growth rather than a source of frustration.

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4. Skill Gaps and Background Knowledge

Unlike many other school subjects, math builds upon itself. Math is a cumulative subject, so each next topic builds on the last. 

Each grade level introduces new and increasingly complex material. From elementary school to middle school and high school, students face challenges that require consistent effort and practice.

Often, struggles in math are due to skill gaps and a lack of background knowledge. Without a strong foundation, it’s hard to progress to more advanced material. 

5. Misunderstanding Failure

When students misunderstand failure, they may begin to avoid challenges, viewing mistakes as a reflection of their abilities rather than a natural part of learning. This mindset can lead to a negative cycle where avoidance prevents growth.

To overcome this, it’s important to emphasize the value of persistence and the lessons learned from mistakes. Teachers and parents can play a vital role by creating environments that celebrate effort and encourage risk-taking. 

When students see failure as a stepping stone to success, they begin to build resilience and confidence, which are critical for long-term achievement in math and beyond.

To help you learn to start seeing failure as feedback, check out my top tips for how to study for your next math test!

Practical Strategies for Success in Any Math Class

Now that you understand why many people find math hard, I want to share 3 practical strategies that you can use to start finding greater success in mathematics. These are strategies I’ve developed over my teaching career, working with hundreds of students to build confidence and skills in math.

Separate Grades and Learning

Seeing grades as a reflection of your worth or value paints failure as permanent instead of viewing it as feedback for how to improve. 

Adopting a growth mindset can help students reframe their perspective on grades. Every mistake or low score becomes an opportunity to learn and grow.

By focusing on progress rather than perfection, students can improve their understanding of math and build confidence in their abilities.

In my experience, when students focus their efforts on the learning, rather than their grades, the learning happens more naturally and the grades follow.

Address Gaps, Develop Problem-Solving Skills, and Practice

Students often struggle with new and complex math concepts because their background knowledge isn’t strong enough. 

Going back and filling in gaps in knowledge is critical to feeling more confident in math. Revisiting foundational material helps to create a strong foundation that supports future learning.

Practice also plays an essential role in building problem-solving skills. Focusing on the problem-solving process rather than rushing to the correct answer helps students learn how to think critically and approach challenges strategically. 

Since math is a cumulative subject, revisiting fundamental building blocks using practice problems is a great way to reinforce understanding. Lots of practice is the only way to strengthen mathematical abilities and develop long-term success.

Use this collection of math worksheets to practice the concepts you are struggling with!

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Ask for Help

Many students see asking for help as a sign of weakness, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Seeking support in your math class is an important part of growing confidence in your math skills. 

A supportive math teacher and extra help from tutoring can make a significant difference. Additionally, collaborative learning with other students provides support and encourages students to share different ways of solving problems.

Reaching out for help is a sign of strength and a step toward building the skills and confidence needed to excel in math.

Look for Connections to Real Life 

Math is everywhere in real life. It’s a part of our daily lives, from budgeting to cooking to problem-solving. When students see how math problems apply to real-life situations, it’s easier for them to gain a better understanding of and appreciation for its value in the real world.

By actively making connections to everyday life, students are able to break down the barriers that have prevented them from deeply exploring this difficult subject. 

How Struggling with Math Can Lead to Growth

Math is hard. Which explains why a lot of students face math issues in their time with the subject. 

Struggling with math is not a sign of failure but an opportunity to grow. Hard work and persistence are the keys to success. 

Each challenge, whether it’s word problems, complex concepts, or mastering advanced math, becomes part of the learning experiences that shape a confident learner.

For students who have a hard time with math, seeking the right help and getting additional support is essential. Check out the Math By The Pixel YouTube channel for engaging lessons, step-by-step problem-solving strategies, and tips to boost your confidence in math.

Take these important steps and start building a strong foundation to overcome their struggles and discover the beauty and power of math!

Did you find these strategies helpful? Share this post and subscribe to Math By The Pixel on YouTube for more helpful mathematics content!


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