Many learners believe these. Tap a card to replace the myth with an empowering belief.
Step 4 · Managing maths anxiety
A one-minute breathing reset
When anxiety starts building before or during a test, slow breathing lowers your heart rate and helps you think clearly again.
Breathe in for four counts
Slowly, through your nose.
Hold for four counts
Relax your shoulders.
Breathe out for four counts
Slowly, through your mouth. Repeat four times.
Ready4 in · 4 hold · 4 out
Four rounds take about 48 seconds.
Step 6 · Positive self-talk
Rewrite the voice in your head
Catch a negative thought, ask “is this really true?”, then replace it with something honest and encouraging.
Try this for a week
Keep a self-talk journal. Each time a negative thought about maths appears, write it down, then write your reframe next to it.
Instead of
Try saying
“I’m terrible at maths.”
“I’m getting better every day.”
“I’ll never understand this.”
“I don’t understand this yet.”
“Why bother? I’m not a maths person.”
“Effort is how I improve.”
“Everyone else gets it.”
“I’ll ask a question. Others are probably stuck too.”
“I can’t do this.”
“I will give it my best effort.”
Free download
The Maths Mindset Journal
A printable starter kit with a growth-mindset reflection, a SMART goal sheet and a weekly progress tracker. You’ll also hear first when the Companion Workbook launches.
Free. The journal downloads straight away, and we email you a copy. Journal