What are the top tips for success in maths? Ever wondered how you might benefit from a Maths degree? Ashnaa Vyas is a second year Mathematics and Statistical Science student at UCL, who achieved 3 A*s in A Level Maths, Further Maths and Economics. She really inspires me and I hope her invaluable advice helps YOU to follow in her footsteps!
"Remember, there is no greater satisfaction than struggling with a difficult question and finally figuring it out - perseverance is key!"
I remember during one of my first A-level mathematics lessons my teacher mentioned a quote that resonated with me: "Without mathematics, there's nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers" by Shakuntala Devi, a woman known as the 'human computer'. One of the main reasons I chose to pursue Mathematics at university is that the subject is limitless and no matter how abstract a piece of mathematics looks - it will come in useful one day!
Elements of mathematics are used in graphic design, programming, architecture and the list goes on, studying mathematics can open up career prospects in countless industries and due to its technical nature, is extremely valued by many employers.
The skillset of a mathematician is not purely numerical, you develop the art of rational thinking and not to mention rigour. It is no doubt that A- level mathematics can be challenging, but an important skill I learned then that is still proving essential well into university is to avoid getting disheartened. Remember, there is no greater satisfaction than struggling with a difficult question and finally figuring it out - perseverance is key!
Here are some of my tips to help you power through:
1. There is always more than one way to look at a question, perhaps sketching a graph or drawing a diagram will help you visualise the question better.
2. Although Mathematics is an independent study, please don't treat it this way. It is essential to work with friends and teachers to understand different approaches to questions.
3. Sometimes I found myself caught up in remembering how to do things rather than why we do things, although remembering methods is excellent in preparation for exams, make sure you understand exactly why these techniques work. This will not only prepare you for the curveball questions examiners like to throw at you but also the abstract mathematics in university.
4. Make good use of the endless resources online, websites such as DrFrost and Exam Solutions were particularly useful.
For any students wanting to study Mathematics at university, I strongly suggest reading more into areas of mathematics you enjoy or even about Mathematics in general. There are some amazing podcasts online, particularly 'The Secret of Mathematics' series by the University of Oxford. I also highly recommend 'Alex's Adventures in Numberland' by Alex Bellos, it's great for understanding the mathematical ideas that underpin our lives and you even get to read about a numerate chimpanzee!
Mathematics is an extremely intriguing subject and so far, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCL. There are some amazing societies that specifically promote women in STEM and UCL even holds an annual Women in Mathematics day for Year 12 students to celebrate the achievements of female mathematicians. Although there is still somewhat a gender divide with fewer female role models in Mathematics, I hope with new initiatives like Pioneer and institutions like UCL targeting this issue head-on, more and more young women will be inspired, and this divide will slowly close.
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