Study Tip: How to Get Better Explanations When Class Notes Aren’t Enough

The reality is that in school, the pacing is often too fast.

Teachers sometimes skim through the explanations and focus more on drills and solving.

Students end up just pushing through problems to keep up, without even fully understanding what they’re solving for and why.

But that’s not how learning is supposed to work.

You’re not supposed to stay confused and just grind out drills. You’re supposed to understand the concept first — so that solving feels easier, not harder.

Math isn’t meant to be impossible. It only feels that way when you didn’t get the scaffolding or the pacing you needed.

Here’s how you can find that scaffolding on your own:

▪ Start with Google. Type the topic name if you want the concepts. Browse a few sites and see which one clicks.

▪ If you’re a visual learner, go straight to YouTube. Search for step-by-step walkthroughs — sometimes seeing someone work it out makes all the difference.

▪ For formulas or solving steps, add keywords like “formula” or “how to solve.” Example: instead of typing Pythagorean theorem, try “how to solve using Pythagorean theorem formula.”

▪ If you’re still stuck or pressed for time, use AI as a study buddy. Don’t just ask for the answer — ask for scaffolding. Prompts like:
👉 “Can you explain [topic] step by step?”
👉 “Can you make me a handout on [topic] with definition, key terms, and tips?”

▪ You can also copy-paste the exact question and add:
👉 “Can you give me the answer for this and explain?”

▪ Always ask AI clarifying questions. Try prompts like:
👉 “Explain step by step.”
👉 “Explain like I’m in grade 6.”
👉 “Show me another example.”
👉 “Why is dividing the same as multiplying the reciprocal?”
👉 “I saw in Google that it’s done this way. Do I have to do that too?”

▪ Double-check by practicing. Once you understand the concept, THEN do a practice problem on your own. If you can solve it, you know you’ve really learned it.

Remember: the goal is understanding first, drills second. When you understand what’s happening, practice stops feeling like punishment and starts feeling like progress.