Why would I be writing about math as my second blog post? Who in the world knows!
The truth is I have always disliked math. (I don't want to use the work hate because as they say "hate is a strong word" & although I sometimes do feel that way, I'm grateful for it to some extent). I don't dislike math because the word math makes me cringe & the thought of thinking a lot hurts me mentally. I had just never been good at it. When I attended SUU the Fall of 2013, I had to take an accuplacer to be able see where I would be placed in math. Embarrassingly enough, I had to take the prep class for college algebra. In 2 semesters & 2 different levels of math, I passed with a C. I put my studies on hold & served as a full time missionary for 18 months & when I got back, I tried transferring my credits. Little did I know that math credits expired within 2 years of not attending school. So, again, I had to re-take the accuplacer & as I sat there in that test, I almost started crying because I didn't remember any of the material. I was going to be forced to re-take the prep class for college intermediate algebra (that truthfully I don't think I will ever use in my career or life). I immediately remembered the frustrating feelings of learning math, memorizing equations, rules, etc. I wanted to succeed! So I set myself boundaries and paid very close attention to the way I studied. I am in my second (AND LAST! AMEN!) math class for my degree and although my semester hasn't quite ended yet, I want to share with you tips on how I passed/am passing my math classes with a grade higher than a B+! 1. Put. The. Phone. Away. During. Class. I know how boring math can be. The teacher in front lecturing about blah blah blah and you're sitting there almost falling asleep because you were up the night before doing homework for classes and things that actually pertain to your life.. Or watching Netflix (Stop that. Have control. Be a responsible adult). But one of the most important things I have found about studying general studies is you need to enter the classroom ready to learn! Put down the distractions and TRY to understand what the teacher is teaching you. 2. SPEAK UP! NEVER feel embarrassed, hesitant or shy at the fact that you have questions! You need answers and the only way you can get those answers is by asking. 3. Study without distractions I used to study math with Netflix on in the background or some good music. But I realized when I'm not completely focused on what I am trying to put my effort into, I am still side tracked. So I know for some people it's hard, but it worked great for me! If I do allow music while I am studying, it's always music without words.. Preferably film scores! 4. Make friends in your class I cannot express to you enough how this is the greatest way to be able to overcome dreading math every day. I love making friends in my classes! Not because I'm what my dad would call me, "a social butterfly" but because it makes all the difference in the social environment of the classroom. Especially in a class math. Let's be honest, the majority of the people sitting around you are probably thinking "I'm really only here because I need this class to graduate", "Is it lunch time yet?" or "When will I ever use this in my life, teach sir? Please tell me!". You sit next to these people more than once a week! Make small talk, make small funny side comments, ask each other what you did over the weekend. Your mood will change and now you have a study buddy! Which leads me to..... 5. STUDY GROUPS! We all know this is the cure to our quiz scores. When I was attending SUU, the few friends I had accumulated in my math class and I would gather together in the library before every exam and study together. Each of us had different strengths and weaknesses and when we came together, we were really able to sit down together and help each other out. THE POWER OF FRIENDS! 6. Take advantage of office hours Office hours are my favorite time to get personal advice and help from my math instructors. Normally, each professor/instructor will post office hours where they sit in their office and find things to do like grade things, plan, and wait for students who are in need of some personal math help. You also get the chance to be acquainted more with your teacher AKA teachers pet? Just saying.. 7. Math tutoring labs This is not my best advice but surprisingly it helped my second semester of college math. 8. CALLING ALL MATH MAJORS/GRADUATES I have come across so many mathematicians who have been so willing to help when I struggled: my brother, my first college roommate, some guys I dated, a lady down the street. They are everywhere! Personally, when I am face to face learning math with someone I already know, I am more likely to not be shy about asking questions or telling them I am totally confused. This is something I really recommend if you are a more shy person. I also recommend that you find ways to cure your shy-ness. 9. Get enough sleep With a very busy schedule, any person would be dragging their feet with a lack of sleep. Their minds are turned off and the wheels just aren't turning right. My suggestion is GET AT LEAST 8 HOURS OF SLEEP. I consider myself a fairly busy person and when I get 8 hours of sleep (no more, no less) and have a good breakfast, I feel mentally prepared to for whatever it is I am supposed to take on in the day. Math classes are mainly the first classes in the morning for first year college students. Take care of yourself so that you are mentally ready to tackle the days lecture. 10. Don't over-think it I'm sure you have heard it quite a few times in your life but when you say you can't, you really just can't. But when you say you can and you put in the effort, you find better success than you did before. Anyone could give you all the tips in the world on how to survive math but really, it is self-motivation. Put in the time and efforts to learn something hard and I promise you, you will be able to do it! Sometimes we can be dramatic over hard subjects but if we pay attention close enough, we realize that everything flows right into the other. Trust your instructor and trust yourself. GOOD LUCK! Kes
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OH YES SHE DID!Kes what? I made a blog. On top of a horrifyingly busy schedule, for some reason I am crazy enough to think I can start a blog. There are so many reasons as to why I created a blog but I promise you, to explain it all would bore the heck out of you. So simply put, I created a blog because my life is AWESOME! I wanted to create a place where I could share more love and help others experience an awesome life too.. Ugh, you're as cheesier as the cheese pizza I ate last week, Kesia. Are you serious? I AM DEAD SERIOUS.
I have already been asked, What is a lifestyle blog? MediaKix explains it perfectly. "A lifestyle blog is best defined as a digital content representation of its author’s everyday life and interests. A lifestyle blogger creates content inspired and curated from their personal interests and daily activities". AKA you will read about all the things, people, activities and tips that make my life super awesome! I have also posted my very small portfolio in hope that I can make it grow. I am a student of Graphic Design and work hard for experience, my degree and honestly, happiness. I love what I am studying and have a passion for creation. Let's just say I intend on making your life more beautiful! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and I really hope you visit more often! Stay up to date on when I am posting through Instagram (@SincerelyKesia) or my Facebook! I'm Kesia Timoteo and this is my crib. Have an awesome day! - xo kes |
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