Why Do So Many Students Fear Mathematics in University Courses?

I've noticed that mathematics tends to be a subject that many university students fear or struggle with. Why is that the case? Is it because of its difficulty, or are there other reasons? How can I prepare to overcome this fear?

Mathematics can be seen as challenging due to its abstract concepts and necessity for precision, which can differ from other subject areas. The fear or struggle can be attributed to several factors. It could be because a student has had a previous negative experience with math, creating anxiety around the subject. This anxiety can result in a fear of making mistakes, which ironically may cause the very mistakes the student fears.

Another reason could be the way it was taught in earlier years. Some education systems heavily focus on rote memorization for solving mathematical problems, without teaching the understanding behind the methods. When a student then encounters a new type of problem, they can struggle to apply the learned method.

Mathematics is a cumulative subject, meaning that understanding later concepts often relies on a solid grasp of earlier ones. Consequently, if a student has gaps in their understanding from previous courses, they can find it difficult to keep up with new material.

To overcome this fear, try to view mathematics as a skill that can be improved over time rather than an inherent ability. Spend time on the basics to make sure you have a solid understanding before progressing to more advanced topics. Seek help when needed, whether that be from professors, tutors, or classmates. Utilize resources such as online tutorials, maths problem sets, and textbooks for additional support. It can also be helpful to practice applying mathematical concepts in real-world scenarios, which can aid comprehension.

Experimenting with different study techniques can also be beneficial. Some find that visual aids like graphs or diagrams can simplify complex concepts.

Finally, remember that struggling with a subject isn't a reflection of one's overall academic ability. It's okay to find things difficult and improbable to be perfect at everything. With an exploratory spirit and persistent effort, it's entirely possible to improve and even excel in mathematics.