By Catherine Davis

When you hear the word “maths,” what do you think? Does your mind jump to anxiety and fear of failure? Do you simply avoid the subject, hoping your intelligence will not be questioned? Well, you aren’t alone. Many individuals have fear surrounding maths that may prevent them from engaging in the subject entirely. National numeracy day is dedicated to building the confidence of children and adults withtheir relationship to maths.  The day is run by the independent charity, National Numeracy, who have provided resources to help people change their understanding of mathematics and its place in society. To celebrate the day, we have compiled a list of the best ways to combat maths anxiety:

1. Take it slow… Maths isn’t a race, yet a lot of maths anxiety can come from the desire to complete work quickly. However, working in a timely manner is not the same as rushing to complete a problem first. It is important to take as much time as necessary and if you are completing a problem in a situation where time is of the essence such as during an exam, it is important to know when to move on and come back to a problem later so you can complete all problems without feeling rushed. 

2. It’s okay to use a calculator… Calculators can be helpful and using one does not mean you aren’t using your maths skills as well. Instead, a calculator can help ensure that you do not make simple mistakes that will prevent you from showing off your actual maths abilities. 

3. You can’t learn it in a day… Like any skill, maths takes time to learn. It is unreasonable to expect yourself to master a subject in a matter of minutes so it is important to take your time and accept that you will only obtain understanding if you continue to practice. 

4. Don’t compare yourself to others… It’s important to ensure that you do not look at your abilities in comparison to those of others. When you’re trying to improve your own maths abilities, it does not matter how others are doing, you should not worry about how others are doing because you are trying to improve your own abilities, not theirs. If you spend too much time comparing yourself to others, maybe try working in your own space so you don’t have the opportunity to compare yourself as much.

5. Take a break… Don’t force yourself to keep working when you are already exhausted, it is important to take care of both your mental and physical health, if you feel like you’re working yourself in circle, take a break, resting your brain may be exactly what you need. 

National numeracy day hopes to remind us that maths is not something that we learn in a classroom and then leave behind, but a subject that affects our everyday lives. From taxes and budgeting, to cooking, everyone uses mathematical skills everyday. We hope that today can help encourage everyone to rethink their opinions of maths and consider its value in everyday life.