22 Things Your Teen Needs to Know About Maths

More than half of Leaving Cert students get a grind in Maths! This is a massive number!

Maths can be the one subject that sends most teens into a tailspin.

With the mock exams approaching, Maths is that one subject that can induce panic and midnight meltdowns. I know I was there!

But here’s the twist—it doesn’t have to be this way.

If you’ve ever wondered why so many students struggle with Maths, or whether boys really outperform girls in Maths (and why), you’re asking the same questions I get from parents, students, and teachers at my seminars.

The answers might surprise you.

Recently I did an interview with none other than Mrs Maths Ireland herself, Amanda McGinn to get some answers and to give us a steer on how to study Maths in a proactive and positive way.

Spoiler alert: She dropped a golden nugget of wisdom at minute 32 of the interview, and let’s just say the “secret” to Maths success is not what you’d expect.

Curious? Keep reading (or skip ahead and watch)!

Why Maths Feels Like a Bad First Date

Let’s face it: for a lot of us, Maths is that one subject you dread from the start.

But why? Amanda and I dove into this headfirst.

Did you have a bad experience with Maths in primary school? If so this can have a massive ripple effect on your confidence in secondary school.

And then there’s the whole “elitism” debate—for many students there is a stigma associated with studying ordinary or foundation level Maths.

No wonder so many young people come out of the Leaving Cert with their confidence scarred!

But here’s the kicker: Maths is actually for everyone. You just need the right tools, mindset, and maybe a sprinkle of Mrs Maths’ genius to make it click.

The Art (and Science) of Studying Maths

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Maths isn’t some mystical, unsolvable riddle.

It’s a ‘doing’ subject—meaning you’ve got to roll up your sleeves, grab a pencil, and dive in.

Here is my preferred approach to Maths:

Watch a demo video. Take out a past paper. Start with a section (a) question. Then I talk to myself as I ‘work through’ the question. (Pro tip: talking yourself through the problem out loud actually works wonders—yes, you’ll sound like a mad scientist, but it’s worth it!)

Combining learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic) helps you take a supercharged approach.

But the magic happens when you take those skills and practice, practice, practice.

Over time, it’s all about finding your rhythm.

Why This Interview Will Change How You See Maths

During our chat, Amanda shared real-life tips, tricks, and success stories—like how she turned one struggling student’s Maths life around with just one simple skill.

She also explained why 5th Year (yep, not 6th Year!) is the ultimate prep time, and how something as small as learning your calculator inside out can make a world of difference.

She also pops in a serious belter for Junior Cert students.

Here are some nuggets you definitely don’t want to miss:​
[01:50] Why Maths can be such a challenge (hint: it’s not just about numbers).
[14:00] The one simple skill that can transform your Maths game.
[23:34] Why 5th Year is the MVP of Maths study.
[28:45] The surprising reason girls take fewer risks in Maths than boys.
[32:25] Mrs Maths’ jaw-dropping secret to Maths success.

Watch the Full Interview Here​ ➡️

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​OK, But What If I Don’t Even Know Where to Start?

Ah, the classic conundrum: you open an exam paper, and your brain feels like a blank slate. Sound familiar?

Here’s the trick—start with the easy wins.

Focus on the part (a) questions. Build momentum. Once you’ve got the ball rolling, it’s much easier to tackle the tougher bits.

Remember: Maths isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

Each question you solve builds your confidence, sharpens your skills, and gets you one step closer to that lightbulb moment.

So What’s the Secret?

You’ll have to watch the interview to find out (trust me, it’s worth it), but here’s a little teaser: success in Maths is surprisingly simple.

Fact is you’ve probably been overthinking it all along.

Parents, if your teen’s relationship with Maths feels like a never-ending tug-of-war, then this will be a good watch.

And students, if you’re ready to actually start enjoying Maths, it’s time to hit play. 🎥

Watch the Full Interview Here ➡️​

Keep chasing those Maths wins—and remember, it’s never as complicated as it seems.

Until next time, let’s keep RAYSING THE GAME.