CAMILLE ZEITOUNI'S INTEGRATED PROJECT |
Math. As some may say, it’s a beautiful language that is universally understood. Absolutely anyone has the possibility to understand it because it has it’s own language and it’s own identity. So no matter who you are, math can be understood.
While that is a true statement, I guess it didn’t apply to everyone. Maybe somehow, in my genetics, something is missing, because math cannot be absorbed in my brain. Most of the time I sit in class, desperate to figure out what my math teacher is talking about, but it never sits with me. It’s weird because I’m eager to learn and I want to be good like so many other girls in my grade, but it’s almost impossible. Sure there are some topics that I’m good at, but for the most part, it makes absolutely no sense to me. But I guess that’s just because I can relate to certain topics more than others. I guess that’s just me.
But then, as a graduate, I look back at my year. And I notice a certain pattern. I’ve noticed that during some parts of the year I was constantly practicing a math topic, whereas the other parts I concentrated on other things than math. That’s when it hit me. I tried to come up with the superficial reason that it was “just me”, but that’s just nonsense. That first statement I mentioned was true and will forever remain true, but there’s only one constraint. That one constraint is that fine line between someone who makes up reasons why they’re bad in math and someone who can excel in any topic. It’s one simple thing that can make a difference: practice.
-Anonymous
While that is a true statement, I guess it didn’t apply to everyone. Maybe somehow, in my genetics, something is missing, because math cannot be absorbed in my brain. Most of the time I sit in class, desperate to figure out what my math teacher is talking about, but it never sits with me. It’s weird because I’m eager to learn and I want to be good like so many other girls in my grade, but it’s almost impossible. Sure there are some topics that I’m good at, but for the most part, it makes absolutely no sense to me. But I guess that’s just because I can relate to certain topics more than others. I guess that’s just me.
But then, as a graduate, I look back at my year. And I notice a certain pattern. I’ve noticed that during some parts of the year I was constantly practicing a math topic, whereas the other parts I concentrated on other things than math. That’s when it hit me. I tried to come up with the superficial reason that it was “just me”, but that’s just nonsense. That first statement I mentioned was true and will forever remain true, but there’s only one constraint. That one constraint is that fine line between someone who makes up reasons why they’re bad in math and someone who can excel in any topic. It’s one simple thing that can make a difference: practice.
-Anonymous
Math vs. Society
What is math? Does anyone truly know… We describe it as a series of figures and equations, but it’s more than that. Society has a weird way of shaping things. Over the course of history, math has been constantly changing and adapting to society and its norms. Our reaction to things literally has the power to change the situation itself, but its hard to control that reaction when facing society. What do I mean by this? How does this relate to math?
I struggle with the stereotype that all Asians are good at math. Although I tend to meet the expectations of those around me, there are a few times where I’ve slipped through the cracks. Attempting to maintain that image all the while maintaining the numerous other course loads, extra-curricular activities and a healthy lifestyle is definitely a challenge. Math itself isn’t the problem. Without the implication of society, math is a beautiful thing. However, with society and the pressure that comes along with it, it becomes difficult to truly enjoy math.
Something that could have been a great pastime is now bombarded with the burden of expectations. We’re brought up with the idea that we must succeed in everything we do, no matter what. There’s a reason we’re all different. We weren’t meant to excel in everything. So when did we start to view things in such a way?
Or have we always thought this way? Only history can tell…
-Rachel Kwong (The Study School '15)
What is math? Does anyone truly know… We describe it as a series of figures and equations, but it’s more than that. Society has a weird way of shaping things. Over the course of history, math has been constantly changing and adapting to society and its norms. Our reaction to things literally has the power to change the situation itself, but its hard to control that reaction when facing society. What do I mean by this? How does this relate to math?
I struggle with the stereotype that all Asians are good at math. Although I tend to meet the expectations of those around me, there are a few times where I’ve slipped through the cracks. Attempting to maintain that image all the while maintaining the numerous other course loads, extra-curricular activities and a healthy lifestyle is definitely a challenge. Math itself isn’t the problem. Without the implication of society, math is a beautiful thing. However, with society and the pressure that comes along with it, it becomes difficult to truly enjoy math.
Something that could have been a great pastime is now bombarded with the burden of expectations. We’re brought up with the idea that we must succeed in everything we do, no matter what. There’s a reason we’re all different. We weren’t meant to excel in everything. So when did we start to view things in such a way?
Or have we always thought this way? Only history can tell…
-Rachel Kwong (The Study School '15)