Your teen isn’t bad at math — they’ve just been told they are. That label might’ve come from a rushed teacher, a tough test, or years of built-up frustration. But here’s the truth: most “bad at math” kids are actually just missing a few key experiences.
And summer is the perfect time to fix that. Let’s break down why math struggles happen… and exactly how to turn them around before school starts.
Rewrite the Story to Change the Narrative
We do math every day and in every aspect of our lives, often without thinking about it. Connecting math to life rather than abstract academic concepts is the key to helping students who consider themselves “bad at math”. These students only think that because someone told them.
Take Mia, a ninth grader who once got a D on a fractions test and was told she “wasn’t a math person.” With weekly summer sessions focused on positive reinforcement and relatable explanations, Mia went from avoiding math homework to completing it without prompting. She’s now in 11th grade and her success in math has spilled over to chemistry, physics, and most of her other subjects. She learned that not only is she “a math person,” but she also knows she’s a goood and successful student!
A great tutor doesn’t just teach math — they teach confidence.
Fill in the Gaps – Don’t Reteach Everything!
Some students struggle not because they don’t understand today’s lesson, but because they missed something last year. Without understanding the foundational concepts, they lack the foundation to build upon.
Liam, a rising junior, had struggled to grasp algebraic equations until we realized he was fuzzy on integer rules from 7th grade. In the next few sessions, we focused on those basics. Once he understood the rules, everything fell into place for him in algebra. Once that clicked, his equation work made sense and his confidence shot up.
Making Math Make Sense to THEM
To most students, math seems useless when it’s taught like a list of steps. But when we tailor it to a student’s interests, everything changes. Each student has something that they’re drawn to. Find that thing and connect their math to it, and things suddenly get much clearer to them.
I worked with a sophomore named Emma, who told me at the beginning of our first lesson, “I’m an artistic person, I can’t do math.” Once I figured out that Emma was obsessed with interior design, I was able to explain math within her world. She finally understood geometry when we framed problems around floor plans and room layouts.
Classroom teachers – who are all heroes to me – don’t have the time to relate each concept to every student. Homeschooling parents who are juggling all subjects, the house and everything else sometimes have trouble pivoting and explaining math concepts in new and different, relatable ways on a dime. Let’s face it, sometimes a new and different voice can cut through the confusion and make things clear. This is where a tutor can come in as a member of the support team.
For students, relatable math isn’t just easier — it’s more fun.
Let Them Talk Through Problems
Different students have different learning styles. Many students do better when they can verbalize their thinking.
Tyler, an 8th grader, always froze when he was alone or working on paper, but he thrived when we used a whiteboard so he could explain each step out loud.
Talking through math step by step helps uncover misunderstandings that worksheets miss. Getting the right answer is nice, but it’s more important understand the process.
Why Summer Is the Best Time to Flip the Script
In summer, there’s no daily homework load, other subjects, or test pressure. That means we can go at the student’s pace, revisit tricky topics, and build momentum.
Instead of dreading math next year, your teen can head into the classroom thinking: I’ve got this. And that mindset? It changes everything. It’ll take away their math stress, help their success in their other subejcts, and make everyone’s life less fraught.
Reach Out For a Free Consultation Now
If you’d like to talk about boosting your student’s math skills, reach out for a free consultation. we will work with you and your student to find the best path forward for them.
Dr. Nathan Hurwitz
The Tutor Duo
