Addressing mathematics & statistics anxiety

Abstract

Mathematics above all other subjects strikes real fear and anxiety in some students, these students are taken well out of their ‘comfort zone’ when confronted with mathematical content in their courses. For these students, fear can become a huge barrier to overcome and can become a distraction from their studies in general. In this paper I will give some very personal reflections on this and discuss which students are particularly at risk from maths anxiety and the strategies that one can use to help these students in very practical ways to develop their confidence and skills.