Is it possible for anyone to learn a subject

FeFiDoh

FeFiDoh

FeFiDoh

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Ever since school maths has been a weak point for me, I understand some aspects of it and others frustrate me no end. Some days like now, I feel like jacking it in because even after spending the last few months studying it and doing quite a few hours each week I just don't get bits of it, well quite a lot of it. I usually find as with my last course that outside of doing my assignments that require me to cover a few units at a time once I go back I can't remember a lot of it. Seems almost like wasted time yet at the time I get decent grades but would never be able to do it in a proper test situation.

I asked my tutor about a lot of the maths we have to do and when in the real world it would be needed (surds?!?!) she said a lot of maths is down to the logic behind it and getting you thinking in a different way which leads me to ask is it something you can learn or something you can naturally do. This can go for many subjects as some people it just seems to click and they understand it whilst overs will never get it.
 
The short answer would be no, it's simply not possible for everyone to get to the same level of comprehension or ability in a subject regardless of how much they study. That doesn't mean that you can't improve but some subjects you (as a generic you) will never be good at.

With logic based subjects you can normally break them down into more manageable chunks but even then I suspect you'll hit a limit sooner or later.
 
Surds are a very useful topic in Physics but only once you get to higher levels, she is right though a good understanding of maths is not only being able to reproduce the formulas when required, but a more fundamental understanding of the nuts and bolts. For example understanding algebra will give you a good leg up into the world of programming as it is all based upon the same skills.
 
That is my worry Dr Delphi I have spent the last 2 months+ doing algebra and algebra related tasks and have had enough of it now. I just don't think it is something I will ever fully grasp and be confident in doing.

I guess part of it is down to the person and how much they are willing to try at something but this is much easier when it is something you enjoy otherwise its a chore.

I get what you are saying semi pro there is being competent enough to do bits to get you through what you need but to take it to the next level I think it is something in people where they are just wired differently, clearly not everyone is going to be thinking in the same way or have the same abilities.

For those that have ever had troubles with a subject or a problem have you been able to over come it with just time and perseverance?
 
Perseverance and practise is what gets most people through unless you are truly gifted in the subject. If you are having problems with maths then feel free to trust me and I can try and help - possibly give you a different perspective to the problem etc?
 
I believe given enough time anyone can learn any subject.
Some people learn faster than others and obviously some enjoy doing the subject more than others.

also some people are better at teaching than others and know how to adapt their teaching methods to individual students that might struggle otherwise such as yourself


If it's not something you enjoy then maybe it's not for you and you would be better trying to find out what you do enjoy learning whilst your still young enough to make a career out of it.
 
Its depends on the level that you are trying to achieve. There are simply things that our brains cannot comprehend fully without the IQ to back it up. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses which are by no means constant across the spectrum of subjects.

I am reasonably intelligent but I have an appalling memory which makes learning certain things much harder. I work much better from a point of understanding something than if I simply have to remember it.

Have a look for some alternative methods of teaching and see if they help you out. Peoples brains work in very different ways and certain teaching methods speak more to certain people.
 
FeFiDoh said:
Ever since school maths has been a weak point for me, I understand some aspects of it and others frustrate me no end. Some days like now, I feel like jacking it in because even after spending the last few months studying it and doing quite a few hours each week I just don't get bits of it, well quite a lot of it. I usually find as with my last course that outside of doing my assignments that require me to cover a few units at a time once I go back I can't remember a lot of it. Seems almost like wasted time yet at the time I get decent grades but would never be able to do it in a proper test situation.

I asked my tutor about a lot of the maths we have to do and when in the real world it would be needed (surds?!?!) she said a lot of maths is down to the logic behind it and getting you thinking in a different way which leads me to ask is it something you can learn or something you can naturally do. This can go for many subjects as some people it just seems to click and they understand it whilst overs will never get it.
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Anyone can learn it, not everyone knows when/how to apply it. Once you learn algebra and the basics well everything else becomes very easy.
So getting a good foundation in Maths will make it easy for someone too progress.
 
In the case of basic algebra yes, anyone can learn it. Yes some people will understand it more/fast, however given enough effort anyone can.

You just need to practise more. I am like you, maths just doesn't "click" with my, however I make a point of spending a hell of a lot of my personal time making sure I can understand and apply everything I'm taught, if I come up against something I have particular trouble with I ask for some extra help from my tutors, they are always happy to.
 
Probably but sometimes it's incredibly hard.
I have no arty side at all, I have no satisfaction in writing essays or drawing pictures, I am awful at those subjects due to this.
I actually enjoy solving problems so that's why I prefer subjects that involve applied maths.
 
FeFiDoh said:
For those that have ever had troubles with a subject or a problem have you been able to over come it with just time and perseverance?
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I couldn't do maths AT ALL (The algebra ****). I hated the subject at lower levels, simply didn't find the damn point of it. Stick with it, keep doing practice, and you'll eventually get it, I know I did! :)
 
People are definitely not wired up the same way. And not everyone is equal, although liberal foolish thinking would have us all believe this to be true. I do a maths based job (engineering) but I still don't "get" a lot of maths. I simply worked hard enough to be able to learn what I needed to get ahead in my career. I will never truly "get" maths, it's just a case of getting to the point where most things make sense. Given time, and in some cases lots of time, it will come. Not many people will truly understand the logic behind the field of maths, it is a very difficult language to learn. I wouldn't worry too much if it doesn't come naturally.

Maths is one of those things that just clicks or comes together after you've been exposed to a lot of it that is related. But it's unrealistic to expect that you'll understand it all as not many of us are made like that. It's not necessarily a bad thing if you don't - I certainly wouldn't get too stressed about it.

You should understand that a maths teacher will have done A Level maths and probably a maths based degree, but at the end of the day, all he needs to know for his day job is a-level maths, which in the grand scheme of things is incredibly noddy. Ask him to recall some of his degree and he'll probably choke like most of us would if asked to recall things we did years ago.

Having said this, time spent working on maths skills is definitely not time wasted. Simply put, it's one of the greatest doors into the best careers out there. Give it time and if you're struggling I'd recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Engineering-Mathematics-K-Stroud/dp/1403942463

It's looks scary (it's well thick), but is effectively an "idiots guide" to maths. The single best textbook I've ever owned.

Hope this helps.
 
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billysielu said:
When you get your report card with

ABBE

You're told to spend more time on the E.

Retarded.

Much better bang-for-buck to work on your strengths.
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Depends on the qualification and what you want to do. Some top end posh places may well completely reject you based on an E, for some things maintaining an average can be pretty important.
 
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