The Day I Failed My Second Algebra Test
I still remember sitting in Mr. Henderson's classroom in October 2019, staring at another red "F" scrawled across my algebra test. Not just any F—a 42%. This was my second failed attempt at Algebra II, and I'd spent the entire weekend studying (or at least, what I thought was studying). The girl next to me glanced over and quickly looked away. That moment of shame? It's burned into my memory.
Here's the thing: I wasn't lazy. I actually *really* wanted to understand math. But every time I sat down with my textbook, it felt like reading a foreign language. The numbers and symbols seemed to mock me from the page.
Fast forward four years, and I was tutoring three students per week in the same subject that nearly kept me from graduating. Honestly, if you'd told me back then that I'd become a math tutor, I would've laughed in your face.
But that's exactly what happened.
Why I Was Actually Failing (And It Wasn't What I Thought)
For months, I blamed myself. I thought I was just "bad at math"—you know, like it was some genetic trait I'd inherited. According to a 2023 study from Stanford University, roughly 93% of American adults experience some level of math anxiety. I was definitely in that group.
But after my second failure, something clicked. I started asking myself: what if I wasn't bad at math? What if I was just bad at *learning* math the way it was being taught?
Let me explain: I was doing all the "right" things. I attended class. I took notes. I did homework (sometimes). But I was approaching math like history class—trying to memorize formulas and procedures without understanding the *why* behind them. That was my first massive mistake.
The traditional teaching method works great for some people. It didn't work for me. And honestly? I think it fails a lot more students than we'd like to admit.
The Three Core Problems I Discovered
Looking back, I can pinpoint exactly where things went wrong:
1. I was studying alone in complete silence – Turns out, I needed to talk through problems out loud. Sitting in my room quietly re-reading my notes was basically useless for my learning style. Who knew?
2. I was trying to memorize instead of understand – I had dozens of formulas crammed into my head, but I couldn't explain when to use which one or why they worked. It was like knowing all the words to a song in a language you don't speak.
3. I was afraid to look stupid – This one's tough to admit, but I rarely asked questions in class because I didn't want everyone to know how lost I was. (Spoiler alert: staying silent just made everything worse.)
The Turning Point: Summer 2020
My school gave me one more chance: summer school. Pass Algebra II or repeat junior year. The pressure was on.
But summer school was different. The class was smaller—only eight students. Our teacher, Mrs. Ramirez, had this completely different approach. On the first day, she said something I'll never forget: "Math isn't about being smart. It's about being curious and persistent."
She made us work in pairs constantly. She asked us to explain our reasoning before showing our answers. And most importantly, she didn't move on until everyone understood each concept. Not just memorized it—actually understood it.
That six-week course changed my entire relationship with mathematics. I passed with a B+.
What Actually Made the Difference
Here are the specific strategies that took me from failing to passing (and eventually to tutoring others):
1. The Feynman Technique
I discovered this method accidentally when Mrs. Ramirez made us teach concepts to each other. Basically, you try to explain a concept in simple terms, as if you're teaching it to a fifth-grader. If you can't explain it simply, you don't really understand it. This technique was a game-changer for me.
I started writing out explanations in my notebook like I was teaching an imaginary student. Sounds weird, I know. But it worked.
2. Practice Problems With Purpose
Instead of mindlessly doing 50 practice problems, I'd do 10—but I'd force myself to explain each step out loud. I'd ask myself: "Why am I doing this? What's the logic here?" This took way longer initially (maybe 45 minutes instead of 20), but I actually retained the information.
3. Study Groups (The Right Way)
I formed a study group with two other students who were slightly ahead of me. Here's my controversial take: studying with people at your exact same level can sometimes be counterproductive. You need at least one person who's a bit further along to guide the discussion. But not someone who's *too* far ahead—they'll just get frustrated explaining "basic" concepts.
4. Khan Academy and YouTube (Selectively)
When I didn't understand Mrs. Ramirez's explanation, I'd watch 2-3 different videos on the same topic. Different teachers explain things differently, and sometimes it just takes hearing it in someone else's words. I particularly liked PatrickJMT and Professor Leonard on YouTube. Their explanations clicked with my brain.
(Side note: Khan Academy used to be my go-to, but honestly, their interface got more complicated around 2022-2023, and I found it harder to handle. Still good content though.)
5. The "24-Hour Rule"
This is a pro tip I developed myself: I'd review my notes within 24 hours of learning something new. Not deep study—just a 10-minute review. Research shows you forget about 70% of new information within 24 hours if you don't review it. That quick review made a huge difference in retention.
Common Misconceptions About "Being Bad at Math"
Now that I've tutored others, I've noticed some patterns in how people think about math struggles. Let me clear up a few things:
Misconception #1: Some people just aren't "math people"
This is probably the most damaging belief out there. Research from Stanford professor Jo Boaler shows that the "math brain" myth is exactly that—a myth. Sure, some people might grasp concepts faster initially, but math ability is largely about practice and approach, not innate talent.
I believed this myth for years. It held me back way more than my actual ability.
Misconception #2: You need to be fast at math to be good at it
Honestly? I'm still not particularly fast at mental math. But speed doesn't equal understanding. Some of the best problem-solvers I know work slowly and methodically. They just make fewer mistakes because they think things through.
Misconception #3: You should be able to learn from the textbook alone
Math textbooks are written by mathematicians for other mathematicians. They're often terrible teaching tools for beginners. If you can't learn from your textbook, that's normal. Find other resources. Don't beat yourself up about it.
My Transition to Tutoring Others
In my senior year (fall 2021), a friend asked if I could help her younger brother with algebra. I was hesitant—me, tutor someone in math? But I figured I could at least try.
That first session was rough. I quickly realized that knowing how to do math and knowing how to teach it are completely different skills. But I remembered what had worked for me: breaking things down into simple steps, asking lots of questions, and making sure he understood the "why" behind each concept.
After three sessions, his test score jumped from a D to a B-. His mom was thrilled and referred me to two other families. By the end of that school year, I was tutoring five students regularly and charging $25-30 per hour (which felt like a fortune to a high school senior).
What I Learned From Teaching Others
Teaching math actually made me better at math. When you have to explain something to someone else, you uncover gaps in your own understanding. I can't tell you how many times a student asked "why?" and I realized I didn't have a good answer. That forced me to go deeper.
Here are the key principles I use in tutoring now:
Start with the "why" – Before jumping into procedures, I explain why we're learning this concept and where it shows up in real life. (Okay, sometimes the real-life applications are a stretch, but I try.)
Normalize mistakes – I tell my students about my failures. I show them problems I get wrong. Making mistakes isn't failing—it's learning.
Practice active recall – Instead of showing them how to do a problem, I ask guiding questions so they figure it out themselves. This is harder and takes longer, but it builds actual understanding.
Celebrate small wins – Did they remember how to factor a quadratic? That's worth celebrating. I learned that positive reinforcement matters way more than I thought.
Tools and Resources That Actually Helped
Since this is an independent education resource, I want to share what actually worked for me without any affiliate agenda. Just honest recommendations based on my experience:
For Visual Learners:
- Desmos Graphing Calculator (free online) – This tool helped me *see* what equations were doing. Game-changer for understanding functions.
- GeoGebra – Similar to Desmos but better for geometry. Also completely free.
For Practice Problems:
- Paul's Online Math Notes – This guy is a professor who just puts his entire course notes online for free. Clear explanations, tons of examples.
- IXL Math – This one costs money ($19/month last I checked), but it's worth it if you need structured practice with immediate feedback. I used it during summer school.
For Conceptual Understanding:
- 3Blue1Brown YouTube channel – His videos on calculus and linear algebra are absolutely beautiful. He makes abstract concepts visual.
- Better Explained website – Kalid Azad explains math concepts using intuition instead of formulas. His article on understanding e^(πi) = -1 blew my mind.
For Organization:
- A physical notebook – I know this sounds old-school, but writing things out by hand helped me remember better than typing. Research backs this up, actually.
- Notion – I used this to organize different topics, create a formula sheet, and track which concepts I'd mastered vs. which ones still confused me.
The Biggest Lessons From My Journey
If you're struggling with math right now, here's what I wish someone had told me back in 2019:
Your current ability doesn't define your potential. I went from a 42% to tutoring others in less than two years. That's not because I'm special—it's because I finally found methods that worked for my brain.
Asking for help is strength, not weakness. I wasted months being too proud to admit I was lost. The moment I started asking questions (and seeking out tutoring myself), everything changed.
Different doesn't mean wrong. If traditional studying doesn't work for you, find another way. Study groups, video tutorials, teaching others, making songs about formulas—whatever works is valid.
Progress isn't linear. I had weeks where everything clicked and weeks where I felt like I'd forgotten everything. That's normal. Keep going.
My Unpopular Opinion About Math Education
Here's something that might be controversial: I think our entire approach to teaching math in schools is fundamentally broken. We prioritize speed and memorization over understanding and application. We teach everyone the same way and then act surprised when half the class fails.
I could be wrong, but I genuinely believe that most people who think they're "bad at math" just haven't found the right approach yet. The system failed them; they didn't fail math.
Where I Am Now
I'm currently in college (majoring in education, actually), and I still tutor on the side. I've worked with about 40 students over the past three years, mostly in algebra and geometry. Watching someone go from defeated to confident? That never gets old.
Am I a math genius now? Definitely not. I still struggle with higher-level concepts. I'm taking Calculus II this semester, and honestly, it's kicking my butt some days. But I know how to learn now. I know how to break down problems, find resources, and keep pushing forward.
That's the real difference.
Next Steps If You're Struggling With Math
So what should you do if you're where I was back in 2019? Here's my practical advice:
1. Identify your specific struggle. Are you not understanding concepts? Not practicing enough? Dealing with test anxiety? Each problem needs a different solution.
2. Try the Feynman Technique this week. Pick one concept you're currently learning and try explaining it out loud like you're teaching it to someone. Record yourself if that helps. Notice where you get stuck—that's where you need to focus.
3. Find one resource that clicks with you. Spend a few hours trying different YouTube channels, websites, or apps. When you find someone whose teaching style matches your learning style, stick with them.
4. Form or join a study group. Even meeting once a week makes a difference. Teaching others actually reinforces your own learning.
5. Be patient with yourself. I'm not 100% sure about this timeline, but I'd say it took me about three months of consistent effort before I started feeling genuinely confident in math. That's three months of daily practice, not occasional cramming.
6. Consider getting a tutor. If you can afford it ($20-50 per hour depending on your area), a good tutor can save you months of frustration. Look for someone who struggled with math themselves—they often make the best teachers because they remember what it's like to not understand.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at that October day in 2019 when I failed my second algebra test, I'm almost grateful for that experience. Almost. (It still sucked at the time.)
But that failure taught me something important: struggling doesn't mean you're incapable. It just means you haven't found the right approach yet. The path from failing math to tutoring others wasn't quick or easy, but it was absolutely possible.
If you're struggling with math right now, please don't give up. You're not stupid. You're not "just not a math person." You're someone who hasn't found their method yet. Keep experimenting. Keep asking questions. Keep trying.
The journey from failure to confidence is different for everyone. This was mine. Yours will look different, and that's okay.
You've got this.
(And if you don't believe me, remember: I failed algebra twice and now I teach it. If I can do it, so can you.)
