How Not to Fail Subbie Math: from a Person that Almost Did

Uni High is a school with accelerated classes–there is no doubting that. No matter what school you come from, it is normal to struggle a bit in class. This is the case especially for students in Subbie Year, which is deemed a “transitional” year at Uni. For me, Subbie Math hit me like a rock, and just knowing that I was not the only one not doing so well, made me feel better about my situation. That being said, some tips from an upperclassman on how to do better in class, would have been nice. So without further ado, here are some tips created to help you out in Math 1.

My first tip is that, even though it is optional, you should always do the homework. When you do the math homework that is assigned, you quickly realize what kinds of problems you are struggling with. Also, some of the topics that are assigned for homework, are never actually discussed in class. Therefore, if you skip a homework, sometimes you are skipping out on the explanation of an entire topic. But even if the problems are discussed in class, it is always good to practice problems.

My second tip is to ask questions! If the teacher is going over a certain formula in class, and you realize that you have no idea how he got his answer, ask about it! Do not feel bad about asking a question, even if it seems “dumb” to you or your classmates. A teacher’s job is to implant knowledge into their students. They cannot do that if you are unsure about what they are teaching.

The third tip I have is to not be afraid to reach out for help. At Uni, as I stated before, it is not always acceptable to say that you are not doing perfectly in a certain subject. However, if you feel like you are struggling in class, it is important that you ask the teacher, as it’s their job. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the teacher, try approaching a friend. Sometimes it is easier to understand something when it’s coming from your friend.

Finally, it is crucial to realize that everybody makes mistakes. One mistake on an exam at this point in your academic career is not the end of the world. It is normal to mess up on a math problem you thought that you would ace or to flip the linear slope in a quiz. The best thing to do when you do make these small mistakes is to take a look at it and try to remember not to do it next time.

Those were my tips on how to ace Subbie Math. Good luck!