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Why do I always feel like I’m bad at math?
Why do I always feel like I’m bad at math?
You’ve probably sat in a math class where the teacher moved on before you fully grasped the last concept. Maybe you were too embarrassed to ask questions. Maybe you did ask, but the explanation still didn’t click.
Over time, these moments pile up. Confusion turns into frustration. Frustration turns into fear. And fear eventually becomes a belief: "I’m just not a math person."
Mary, a student I worked with, arrived at our first session feeling distressed but still hopeful. She’d struggled for years and truly believed she was just bad at math.
I told her what I’ll tell you:
Needing more time to understand a concept doesn’t mean you’re unintelligent.
It might mean you need:
More time to take in the concepts
More time to get enough practice to make it click
A different explanation, paired with personalized resources
There’s nothing unintelligent about that.
Classroom teachers do their best, but they’re often balancing the needs of 25+ students and racing against a 9-month curriculum. Tutors, on the other hand, can slow down, rewind, and teach in a way that fits the individual.
The Real Reasons Math Feels So Hard
What causes people to struggle in math?
Most students who think they’re bad at math are actually facing one or more of these issues:
Gaps in foundational skills (fractions, decimals, basic algebra)
Research shows that many students move on in school without fully learning these basic skills, which makes harder math feel confusing and overwhelming.
Anxiety that shuts down working memory.
Research shows that math anxiety can crowd your mind, which makes it harder to focus and do well in math
Teaching styles that moved too fast
Lack of practice that leads to second-guessing
Negative experiences that left them discouraged
Research shows none of these are permanent. Every one of them can be addressed. Math success is influenced more by mindset and emotions than by fixed, inborn ability.
One Math Class Shouldn’t Block Your Future
Can one college math course really stop me from getting the career I want?
Yes—and unfortunately, it often does.
Many careers in fields like HVAC, graphic design, criminal justice, paralegal studies, dental hygiene, business administration, and early childhood education require just one college-level math course to earn a degree or certification.
But for students who already feel unsure about math, that one course can feel like a deal-breaker.
Whether you're:
A high school student planning your future
A recent graduate rethinking your career path
Or an adult going back to school for a better opportunity
...that math requirement can feel like a mountain. Especially if you're prepping for placement tests like the ACCUPLACER or ACT, or just trying to pass that one class.
Be encouraged! There’s a clear path forward, and you don’t have to take it alone.
You can build the skills to pass that placement test.
You can qualify for the training and certification you need.
You just need a solid plan and the right support.
The Good News: Math Is a Skill You Can Build
Can I get better at math as a teen or adult?
Yes. Absolutely.
Math is not a fixed trait. It’s not a talent you either have or don’t.
Math is a skill — and skills are built with time, practice, and support.
Confidence grows when:
You understand core concepts deeply
You can recall steps without hesitation
Familiarity replaces fear
I’ve seen students go from panicking at the sight of a math problem to tackling it with clarity. Not because the problem changed, but because they changed. They built knowledge—and knowledge gave them power.
What Tutoring Can Do for You
How can a tutor help me succeed in math?
A good tutor isn’t just there to explain things. They’re there to:
Fill in the gaps that are holding you back
Work at your pace with patience and clarity
Re-teach foundational skills without judgment
Help you prepare for chapter tests or even college placement tests like the ACT or Accuplacer
Build your confidence by teaching you how to make knowledge stick
Back to Mary:
With consistent support and a focus on building her foundation, she began to see math differently. Concepts started making sense. Panic turned into progress. Eventually, she began proudly telling me of helping classmates who were stuck and achieving one of the top scores in the class on standardized testing. She stopped calling herself “bad at math.”
You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not “Bad at Math”
Am I the only one who can’t do math?
No, you’re not. Many smart, capable people struggle with math.
The difference isn’t in intelligence.
It’s in getting instruction that matches your pace and needs.
You haven’t failed. You just haven’t been taught the way you learn best.
And that’s fixable.
Ready to Build Your Plan for Math Success?
Schedule a free consultation and let’s build your plan for success in math.
👉 mathmentortutoring.com
🎧 Featured on the Healthy Teen Life Podcast!
I recently joined Leslie Rose-Dethloff, CHC, CLC, CNWC—Holistic Teen Health & Life Coach and host of the Healthy Teen Life podcast—for an honest conversation about why so many students believe they’re “bad at math” and what we can do to change that.
🎙️ Listen to Episode #163 to find out:
Why Do I Always Feel Like I’m Bad at Math?
(Available on Podbean, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts)
In the episode, we talk about:
How students form false beliefs about their math ability
What parents can do when their teen starts falling behind
Simple mindset shifts that help students go from “this sucks” to “I’ve got this”
Learn more about Leslie’s work at leslierosecoaching.com,
or follow her on
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lrdethloff-0170ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslierosecoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslierosecoaching/
If your teen is feeling stuck in math and ready for a change, I’d love to help.
About the Author
Beth Bowen, founder of Math Mentor Tutoring, works with math students, 6th grade and up, to build confidence, reduce math anxiety, and strengthen essential skills. With experience as a certified classroom teacher, homeschool mom of three, and numerous years of tutoring, she brings a warm, encouraging approach to helping teens and young adults who believe they are "bad at math" rebuild their foundation, overcome math anxiety, and find real success in Middle School, High School and placement tests like the Accuplacer and ACT.
Mrs. Beth believes that needing more time to learn a concept isn’t a weakness. For many it’s a sign that you simply need a different approach. She helps each student build on what they already know and turn small wins into lasting confidence.
Connect with Mrs. Beth:
Website:https://mathmentortutoring.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/beth.bowen.9279
Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-bowen-math-mentor-tutoring
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@MathMentorTutoring
Google Business:https://share.google/RfAMV6jiWSZnRLF02
Sources:
The interplay between math anxiety and working memory on math achievement, Frontiers in Psychology, 2023. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1014064
Understanding the Student Math Readiness Problem, EAB, 2024. https://eab.com/resources/research-report/understanding-student-math-readiness-problem
The cognitive gap in the mathematical thinking abilities of high school leavers for college: Are they ready?, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 2024. https://www.ejmste.com/download/the-cognitive-gap-in-the-mathematical-thinking-abilities-of-high-school-leavers-for-college-are-they-15577.pdf
