Consistancy and Mindset

There are a couple of important principles you need to get better at anything, and that's also true for maths. The first thing you need is to have the right mindset.

This is arguably the most important part of learning maths as you will not be able to do much without the right mindset. Now, exactly how to establish the "correct" mindset is quite personal as it is your own mind you need to convince. If you want to get better, you need to make sure that you at least have a positive mindset. That you have a mindset that allows you to start working without having to drag yourself to a desk or struggle to keep going. This can be quite difficult, but a starting point could be to just force yourself to do it. If there's a wish to get better at maths, whether you want it or need it, you should be able to push yourself to do some maths, in the beginning at least. If can find some motivation other than getting better at mathsm though for some that is enough, your mindset might get better. And if your mindset gets better, it becomes easier to sit down and do maths.

Now, a mindset is not all about wanting to work. If you go into a test or a class thinking things will fall apart, then things might fall apart. However, if you decide beforehand that you will try your absolute hardest and make sure things go as optimal as possible, then things might be great. This will also overall boost your will to do maths and help you in your maths journey.

Whilst mindset is really important, once you establish a good mindset, you have to move on to something more. Mindset alone, unfortunately, cannot get you anywhere. It is very useful, but you have to use it to be able to work consistently. Being consistent with mathematics does not necessarily mean doing it everyday, but doing it on a regular schedule. For instance, you might have three days a week where you have some time to do maths at home. Just three days per week can get you really far in maths, and with some proper effort, lead you to great achievements, within maths of course.

Another important point is to enjoy the experience, the journey to becoming a maths legend. This might seem very simple and difficult for many as it might be obvious that having fun whilst doing something is ... fun. But I personally think many people overlook the different aspects of fun. Ask yourself: "how often have I felt real joy while doing mathematics?" If the answer is all the time, then great, you're probably not struggling in maths as it is fun, and whilst you might find struggling fun, that removes the real struggle. Now, if your answer is never or rarely, then I think you should take a look at how you can have fun while working with maths. Doing maths is often not the same fun as doing a sport, being with friends, watching a show etc. However, you get this awesome smooth feeling that makes you think you could do this for days before stopping (at least that how I feel), and while I'm not outright sat on seat laughing, I am having fun. I might have to spend some time thinking really hard, but it is still smooth and therefore fun. This makes it all the more easier to sit down, for example, an hour when you get home from school to just do maths. You might be tired, but it's fun, so you just space out and keep on doing tasks without a care in world. And that, is the beauty of having fun while doing maths :)