My Biggest Maths Struggles and How IGCSE Core Maths Tuition Online Helped

Maths was always the subject that made my stomach sink. I wasn’t failing badly, but I was constantly confused. No matter how much I revised, numbers blurred together, formulas refused to stick, and exam questions felt completely different from what we learned in class. I knew I wasn’t lazy — I just wasn’t understanding things the way they were being taught.

That’s when I realised I needed a different approach. This article is my honest story about struggling with maths and how targeted tuition changed my experience, not just in maths but across my IGCSE subjects.

 

IGCSE core maths tuition online

In school, core maths lessons moved fast.

If I didn’t understand one topic, the class would move on anyway. Asking questions felt uncomfortable, especially when everyone else seemed to get it. Over time, I started memorising steps without understanding why they worked — which completely failed during exams.

IGCSE core maths tuition online changed that experience for me.

Learning online meant:

• I could stop and ask questions without feeling awkward
• Topics were explained slowly and clearly
• Mistakes were treated as part of learning, not something embarrassing

What helped most was the focus on understanding instead of rushing.

Here’s what felt different compared to school lessons:

School Maths Lessons	Online Tuition Experience
Fixed pace for whole class	Lessons adjusted to my speed
Limited time for questions	Unlimited doubt clearing
General explanations	Personalised explanations
Exam stress ignored	Exam-focused preparation

Gradually, maths stopped feeling impossible.

I began recognising patterns in questions. I understood why formulas worked instead of just memorising them. Most importantly, I stopped panicking during tests.

 

IGCSE additional maths tutor

Even though I was doing core maths, some topics overlapped with additional maths concepts.

At first, additional maths sounded terrifying. But working with an IGCSE additional maths tutor actually helped strengthen my foundation rather than confuse me.

The tutor didn’t push difficult topics unnecessarily. Instead, they:

• Broke complex problems into simple steps
• Showed shortcuts and logical thinking methods
• Explained how examiners expect answers

Surprisingly, this made core maths easier.

I started seeing how topics connected:

• Algebra became clearer
• Graph questions felt less random
• Word problems stopped confusing me

This table shows how additional maths support helped core maths:

Skill Developed	Impact on Core Maths
Logical thinking	Fewer careless mistakes
Problem breakdown	Better word problem handling
Formula application	More confidence in exams

Rather than overwhelming me, this support strengthened my overall maths confidence.

 

IGCSE extended maths tutoring

I never expected IGCSE extended maths tutoring to affect my maths performance.

But struggling in maths affected my confidence everywhere. I felt like I wasn’t “smart enough,” which slowly crept into other subjects.

IGCSE English literature tuition helped in ways I didn’t anticipate.

English lessons taught me:

• How to structure answers clearly
• How to explain ideas logically
• How to manage time during exams

These skills transferred directly into maths exams.

I began writing clearer workings, organizing steps properly, and avoiding rushed answers. My confidence grew because I felt more in control of my thinking.

Balancing subjects also became easier.

Instead of spending all my energy worrying about maths, I learned how to distribute my study time sensibly across subjects without burnout.

 

IGCSE tutor for Cambridge syllabus

One of my biggest mistakes earlier was not fully understanding the syllabus.

I practised questions, but not always the right kind. An IGCSE tutor for Cambridge syllabus helped me realise how important exam alignment is.

Here’s what changed:

• Questions matched Cambridge exam patterns
• Marking schemes were explained clearly
• Common student mistakes were highlighted

This was a game changer.

I stopped losing marks for silly reasons like:

• Missing units
• Not showing steps
• Misreading command words

Understanding how Cambridge exams are structured reduced my exam anxiety significantly.

I walked into exams knowing what to expect rather than hoping for the best.

 

How Everything Came Together

Looking back, it wasn’t just about maths tuition.

It was about having the right support, explained the right way, at the right time.

Here’s what changed overall:

• Better understanding, not memorisation
• More confidence across subjects
• Improved exam performance
• Less stress and panic

If you’re struggling like I was, know this — difficulty doesn’t mean inability. Sometimes, you just need a different explanation.

 

Curious Corners: Questions Students Don’t Always Ask Out Loud

1. Why did online tuition work when school lessons didn’t?

Online lessons focused on me, not the whole class. That personal attention made a huge difference.

2. Can someone weak in maths actually improve?

Yes. I’m proof. Understanding beats memorising every time.

3. Does following Cambridge syllabus really matter?

Absolutely. It helps you prepare smarter, not harder.

4. Is it possible to balance multiple subjects with tuition?

Yes, if lessons are structured properly. It actually reduced my stress.

5. What’s the biggest lesson you learned from tuition?

Asking questions is a strength, not a weakness.

 

Final Thoughts and Next Step

If you’re an IGCSE student feeling stuck, confused, or stressed about maths, don’t wait until exams are close.

The right guidance can completely change how you see learning.

If you’re looking for structured, student-friendly support across subjects, Eclassopedia offers personalised online tuition designed to build confidence, clarity, and exam readiness.

Sometimes, all it takes is the right teacher to help everything finally make sense.