Updated 11/19/2007

Janette Miller

Many students suffer feelings of anxiety when doing math, especially under pressure circumstances like exams. You are not alone, and some amount of anxiety is perfectly normal. There are, fortunately, some things you can do about it if you are willing to work at it. This page will give you some suggestions to try, as well as a resource list for further reading. If at all possible, consult with a math instructor or tutor to help get the most out of these techniques.

Some good resources for reducing math anxiety and improving math study skills:

 Mastering Mathematics. How to be a Great Math Student (2^nd edition), Richard Manning Smith (1993). Wadsworth Publishing Company.

 Where Do I Put the Decimal Point? How to Conquer Math Anxiety and Increase Your Facility with Numbers, Elisabeth Ruedy and Sue Nirenberg (1990). Barnes & Noble Books.

 Math Anxiety Reduction, R. Hackworth (1995). Clearwater FL: H&H Publishing Co.

 Sheila Tobias books

 Winning at Math: Your Guide to Learning Mathematics Through Successful Study Skills, Paul D. Nolting. Academic Skills Press, Inc.