For high school students who dread math class, doing math in college seems unnecessary. Your child has probably asked the exasperated question, “When are we ever going to use this outside of high school?” In reality, math is everywhere. You calculate and reason a surprising amount of your daily life, and your teen is certainly going to need it in college no matter their major. Here’s why the amount of math necessary in college is so frequently underestimated.

How Is Math Underestimated?

Once students graduate from high school, there’s a commonly held misunderstanding that they’ll never need to use what they learned in math class. Liberal arts majors, in particular, are guilty of this line of thought. If they aren’t becoming scientists, mathematicians, or engineers, what are they going to need it for?

The problem with this reasoning is that it does not address the lessons students learn in math class. Many believe they’re simply memorizing a long collection of symbols, equations, and conversions. Mathematics teaches much more complex and valuable skills that go beyond manipulating numbers, and this will be especially crucial for your child in college.

Why Is a Foundation in Math Important?

Think about the last time you had to resolve a tricky situation. You likely considered all possible solutions, weighed the outcomes with the most success, and put your strategy to use. If that sounds like a math problem, it’s because you’re using the same methods you would use to solve one. This is an example of analytical thinking, which involves breaking down a problem by taking a step-by-step approach to solve each component. In math class, you are given all kinds of different hurdles and told to solve them using past knowledge and experiences. Math not only hones your analytical thinking skills, but it is also often one of the first experiences children have with this approach to problem-solving.

Having a proper foundation in math is key, no matter what your child plans on doing in college. Whether they’re an athlete who needs to strategize and calculate the best plays or a film studies major who analyzes the themes and societal significance of films, mathematical reasoning will help them think more efficiently. Before your teen dismisses the need for mathematics in college, remind them that math class instills analytical thinking that will put them ahead in any career path.

Math class doesn’t have to be a scary subject. At Mathnasium® of South Windsor in Hartford County, CT, their specially trained math instructors use a comprehensive assessment process to determine the root of each student’s struggles. They’ll tailor your child’s learning plan to directly address all issues, strengthening their foundation for mathematical reasoning and decreasing their anxieties on the subject. These skills will stay with your child for the rest of their life, assisting them in college, their career, and beyond. For enrollment information, visit their website or call (860) 432-7794 today.