Many students arrive at college expecting math to be the slightly harder version of what they did in high school. However, college math is quite different, as it moves much faster and gives you less time to review old gaps.

Knowing how to get better at college-level math before you even go to college, therefore, will give you the knowledge and skills you need to avoid remedial math courses, fall behind, have more scheduling flexibility, and overall, a smoother transition into your college life. Working with math tutoring for high school students before graduation is one of the most practical ways to achieve this, but it’s not the only one. Let’s look at some of the steps you can take to get ahead of college math while you are still in high school. 

Understand What College Math Actually Requires

Definitions are always a good place to start, and in this case, you need first to understand what college-level math actually is.

The biggest difference between high school and college is that college math is not one single course. Depending on your major and program requirements, you may start with college algebra or pre-calculus, then move into calculus, statistics, or other courses. 

The next big difference is the pace. Most professors assume that you are going to remember the material you learned in high school and develop the course material based on that. As a result, if you forget some things over the summer, or, say, need to improve your knowledge of graphing or functions, you may fall behind the material quite quickly. 

Many colleges use placement tests to determine where you stand and which math course you need to start with. If you have a strong background in high-school math, you can avoid extra remedial classes and stay on track for graduation. 

Master the High School Fundamentals First

If you are wondering how to get better at math before college, a good step is to start with the basics you’ll encounter everywhere. You’ll come across algebra, fractions, order of operations, functions, exponents, graphing, and basic geometry in nearly every college math direction you take, so it’s important you know them well.

Algebra is especially important. College algebra assumes that you will be fluent in linear equations, inequalities, functions, and graphing. Students who have gaps in these areas usually find college algebra much harder than they expected. 

To better prepare for college math, don’t only review the current material or what you’ve learned recently. Go back and find earlier knowledge gaps and fill them, or if you think there are some skills you could be better at, even if they are from years ago, make sure to revisit them and improve. For example, if you miss steps in equations, make equations your priority. 

Build Consistent Study Habits Before You Arrive

Another important thing, when it comes to college math, is your study habits. Because college math moves faster than high school math, a concept you’ve just been introduced to on Monday may be built on by Wednesday and assessed by Friday. To catch up, you need consistency, as cramming before the test won’t work long-term. A few short sessions during the week are more effective than cramming for the whole day once a week.

Start practicing the study habits you will need in college now. Review notes the same day you take them, redo missed problems, and keep a list of mistakes you make often and address them once you get a free moment. This helps you study the reason behind the mistake, not just the correct answer. Practice tests and mixed review are also useful. When you solve problems addressing different topics together, you learn how to choose the right method under pressure, and don’t rely on textbook directions that much. 

Take Advantage of Dual Enrollment and AP Courses

One of the most effective ways to prepare for college math is to take it before you officially enroll. Here’s where dual enrollment and AP or IB math courses can help you, as they let you experience the college-level math pace before you go to college, and still have the support of your high school teachers. They give you a realistic preview of college expectations. You get to experience faster deadlines, longer assignments, and have to study more independently, which:

• gives you a feel of what’s coming
• helps you see how you are handling it currently
• shows you where you need to improve before you go to college

Bonus point: depending on your college policies, these classes can, in some cases, help you earn college credit!

Get Support Early — Don’t Wait to Struggle

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when studying math is waiting for too long before you ask for help. Don’t wait until you have several missing skills or a wide knowledge gap to get support. Instead, ask for help proactively, when you are still learning, and not after a test. 

Start with your high school math tutor. Tell them about the issues you think you are having, and ask which topics and skills you should target. Or, talk to subject-specific tutors. If the issue is algebra-specific, talk to your algebra tutor. Teacher office hours and peer study groups are also a great learning resource you should consider if you think you need help.

You can also look for outside support in case you need more help or flexibility. For example, working with an online algebra tutor can help you determine at which stage your understanding breaks down and address that specific gap. 

Conclusion

Don’t wait for August or the first day of your freshman year to start thinking about college math. Instead, start it while you are in the more forgiving setting of high school. Work to strengthen your fundamental math skills, close any learning gaps you have with the help of your teachers and online math tutors, and develop consistent study habits. The right preparation will set you up for a more successful and less stressful start to your academic life in college. Good luck!