Entering the Science stream as a fourth former last year, I was delighted to start it with four daunting subjects: Additional Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
Even before the first lesson, my classmates spoke of how tough the Add Maths exam could be and dubbed it a “killer”.
I secretly wondered: Is it really that tough? Will I face such problems too? I did have thoughts of dropping this subject after listening to their fears. But we were not allowed to do so as it was a core subject for Science stream students in my school.
So I resolved to listen attentively in class and did all the textbook exercises diligently. I was confident I would do well in my first class test. But reality hit hard when I obtained a very low score.
I was shocked. Where did I go wrong? I lost all confidence. I told my mother that I was dropping the subject before deciding to give myself a second chance.
I knew I had to fall in love with Add Maths instead of dreading it. I had to look forward to it. If I disliked it, how could I do well in it?
So, I not only had to love the teacher teaching it, but also be mentally prepared for every Add Maths lesson.
The sudden surge of motivation encouraged me to reflect on my past mistakes. I quickly pulled out the Add Maths paper from my bag and carefully redid all the answers I had got incorrect. I added some notes so as not to repeat the mistakes the next time around.
I rescheduled my study timetable and included Add Maths in the list of subjects to practise daily during the school holidays. I slotted revision time for Add Maths in the mornings when I was fresh and energised and not when I was exhausted at night. Choosing the right time to study is really important as Add Maths requires a focused mind and high concentration in order to analyse the questions effectively.
Tackling a difficult problem takes time. Solving Add Maths questions is all about enhancing your thinking skills and having fun while completing them. Speed is not important at this stage.
I made it. I had a blast studying Add Maths and would now like to share my journey of learning Add Maths with anyone who may be facing similar difficulties. Perhaps you may find these tips helpful:
> Be determined and disciplined
Do not be quick to refer to the answer key when solving questions. Chances are you will learn less because you will be tempted to look at the answer the next time you are unable to solve a problem.
> Sometimes, it takes a few more attempts to succeed
Tell yourself, “I can do it!” If you cannot answer a difficult question, try approaching it with other methods and concepts. I usually prefer to put the question aside and re-attempt it after a few hours or even a few days if I cannot solve it after many failed attempts. I take a break and let my mind relax before rereading the question. There have been questions that I could not tackle previously but after a break, I could. I experienced the satisfaction of successfully solving something that seemed impossible just a couple days before. It is this joy that pushes me on.
> Pay attention and ask questions
Do not memorise concepts. Do not be afraid or shy to ask your teacher to repeat the explanation if you do not understand any formula or step. I am fortunate to have an experienced Add Maths teacher. She often explains in great detail every new topic and ensures we try solving a few questions after listening to her.
Having a strong grasp of fundamental Add Maths concepts is key to solving complicated problems. Revise the topic on the same day you learn the concepts while your memory is still fresh.
> Discuss with your friends
Create a study group chat with classmates and discuss the challenging questions online. Ask your friends questions in class as they can explain the solutions to you. Complete questions on the topic that the teacher is currently teaching.
> Work on past year papers before exams
This helps us to understand how questions are structured. By constantly doing these questions, we can better prepare ourselves for the actual exams. Solve questions on a particular topic until you are familiar with it. Do Add Maths exercises daily. It has become my daily routine and hobby.
> Be patient with yourself
Sometimes, we just need more time to comprehend the basic concepts. All of us have different speeds when it comes to learning. We do not have to compare our learning speeds because we lose confidence in doing so.
I assure you that if you follow these steps, you too will be a winner. Remember to stay calm and focused during your exams. And who knows, Add Maths might become your pet subject!
SEONG MING LI
Selangor
