How do I accept that math is hard?

Question

Ever since I began studying mathematics, there were times where I really enjoyed doing so, and then there were times where I didn't enjoy it at all and simply wanted to quit. I guess everyone knows these kind of feelings while studying mathematics, it's fairly common.

When I end up not enjoying mathematics at all again, this situation generally follows as a result from not understanding or solving something fast enough. (at least from my perspective) Whenever I start telling myself such stories, I try to compensate for my inability of not being good enough as I expect from myself.

I begin to talk myself into believing some kind of genius-myth, like: "There must be a way to do this better than anyone else within a much shorter amount of time, and all I have to do is finding the right way."

Of course there is no such thing as the "right way". I am not a genius and I never will be, but in times like these, I have trouble accepting this as a matter of fact, which makes the whole situation even more unpleasent. For the most part, my fellow students don't care much for mathematics at all. (there are very few students that aim for a normal bachelor-degree anyway, most of them are going to be teachers) Therefore, there is nearly no one to communicate with about these struggles.

Do you recognize yourself somehow? Do you also sometimes feel the urge to compensate for your inabilities with such nonsense? How do I accept the fact that math is simply hard and that I have to work for it to get the results I wish for?

Answer 1

Keep running. Things may change with struggle .

Answer 2

Mathematics is too broad to declare enjoyable or not.

Maybe I love reading J.K. Rowling but I don't enjoy Dostoevsky. My point here is that like many subjects, "Mathematics" is too broad of a subject to either find generally enjoyable or not. In fact, I bet I would really love reading Dostoevsky if I actually understood him more...

I think it comes down to the fact that nobody enjoys being confused. Whether a problem you're working on is difficult or not usually correlates with the enjoyment IF you at least understand the problem. I feel that this is actually what puts people off of math when they are young: not having a good teacher who can get the student to understand what they are doing so that later on math just seems like a nonsense endeavor.

Some mathematics is incredibly difficult. I'm seeing two questions:

1. How do I accept math can be difficult
2. How do I accept I have difficulty with math

For the first, you just accept it! For the second, you should focus on the math and not yourself. Take enjoyment in what you can do.

Answer 3

I was pretty good in maths during my school life especially Euclidean Geometry & Calculus. I participated & cleared many Maths Olympiads/Competitions like RMO (USAMO of India) & I understand what you are trying to say.

Since I solved all the problems alone I would often spiral down the thought chain that there are some super-human mathematicians who would surely have gotten a better & elegant solution than mine & in only fraction of the time that I took. When I was unable to solve a problem I thought I am very foolish that I can't even solve this simple problem which would have been pretty easy to solve for a guy good in Maths.

The way I overcame this is by observing very smart people solve a problem & thinking with them as they reached a solution.

So I think you should find very smart people & try to study with them & solve problems with them & the genius-myth you mentioned would surely vanish.