Overcoming Math Anxiety
1. A positive attitude will help. However, positive attitudes come with quality teaching for understanding which often isn't the case with many traditional approaches to teaching mathematics.
2. Ask questions, be determined to 'understand the math'. Don't settle for anything less during instruction. Ask for clear illustrations and or demonstrations or simulations.
3. Practice regularly, especially when you're having difficulty.
4. When total understanding escapes you, hire a tutor or work with peers that understand the math. You can do the math, sometimes it just take a different approach for you to understand some of the concepts.
5. Don't just read over your notes - do the math. Practice the math and make sure you can honestly state that you understand what you are doing.
6. Be persistent and don't over emphasize the fact that we all make mistakes. Remember, some of the most powerful learning stems from making a mistake.



Math camp starts in 2.5 weeks. I'm psyched about a kickass research project I might do. I usually get some of my best writing done at camp too. There's a supreme mix of isolation from those "so close beside me" and intellectual comraderie. Though my mom would rather I exercize instead of loafing about in the library (Texas State has a large one)----I'll defenitely look through the unabridged dictionaries and bilingual poetry (which I have a little fetish for)

I still remember that Michelangelo poem I found---
"...since heaven has ordained these weapons of my death..."
I didn't even knew he wrote!