It\u2019s no secret that maths, programming and other logic-based subjects feel like a mountain climb for many students. Meanwhile, subjects like English and life orientation feel more like a gentle stroll. Why is that? Are some people just \u201cnot wired\u201d for logic? Or is there something deeper \u2014 and fixable \u2014 at play?<\/p>\n
South Africa\u2019s own numbers raise the alarm. In the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study study, grade\u202fnine learners were among the lowest-performing in maths globally. Only around a third of matric students register for pure maths \u2014 and even fewer achieve strong marks. <\/p>\n
Many university students continue to struggle with first-year logic-heavy subjects such as maths, programming and physics, despite performing reasonably well in high school. There\u2019s clearly a disconnect between how these subjects are taught and how they need to be learned.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s unpack that.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the real problem \u2014 we teach what to learn but rarely how to learn. In text-based subjects, you can often get by through memorisation \u2014 even if understanding is minimal. But in logical subjects, there\u2019s no shortcut. You can’t fake solving an equation or writing a function \u2014 you either get it or you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where the method matters.<\/p>\n
Step 1: Learn the rules and make It visual<\/strong> What this does is transform passive reading into active engagement. It\u2019s fun. It\u2019s visual. And it becomes a regular reminder every time you walk into the room.<\/p>\n Step 2: Practise, practise, practise<\/strong> Likewise, once you know the math laws or code syntax, you must apply them. Don\u2019t just glance at solved problems \u2014 do them. Over and over. With pen and paper. From textbooks, worksheets, online study guides and past papers. Try coding small apps or solving the same equation using different methods.<\/p>\n The goal is to go from \u201cunderstanding in theory\u201d to \u201cI can do this without thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n Text-heavy subjects often reward surface learning. Even if you don\u2019t fully grasp the material, you can memorise quotes or definitions and recall them in an exam. That taps into what psychologists call System 1 thinking \u2014 the brain\u2019s fast, intuitive, automatic mode.<\/p>\n But logic-based subjects demand System 2 thinking \u2014 slow, effortful, rule-based reasoning. It takes time, patience and consistency. No shortcuts.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t make them harder \u2014 it just makes them different.<\/p>\n Studies in neuroscience suggest that logical reasoning primarily engages the left hemisphere of the brain, responsible for analytical and sequential thinking. In contrast, the right hemisphere is more involved in creative, verbal and emotional processing.<\/p>\n This doesn’t mean people are “left-brained” or “right-brained” \u2014 we use both sides. But it does explain why some students thrive in writing essays and others in debugging code. And it\u2019s also why cross-training your brain by using visual tools, verbal reinforcement and kinesthetic practice (like writing by hand) can make logical learning easier for everyone.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s stop saying, \u201cI\u2019m just not a maths person.\u201d Instead, let\u2019s teach people how to learn logic the right way. Learn the rules, visually and actively; practise them consistently and treat it like a skill just like driving or playing a musical instrument.<\/p>\n Because, once you unlock that process, you don\u2019t just succeed in school \u2014 you gain tools that help you reason, analyse and solve problems in every part of life.<\/p>\n Dr Zakia Salod is a medical AI research scientist, software developer, artist and philanthropist. Salod is also a Mail & Guardian<\/em> Power of Women 2024 alumni, a youth leader and multi-awarded STEMI advocate in South Africa.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s no secret that maths, programming and other logic-based subjects feel like a mountain climb for many students. Meanwhile, subjects like English and life orientation feel more like a gentle stroll. Why is that? Are some people just \u201cnot wired\u201d for logic? Or is there something deeper \u2014 and fixable \u2014 at play? South Africa\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":256,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1511"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1512,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1511\/revisions\/1512"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vecimasupport.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
All logic-based subjects \u2014 whether maths, physics or programming \u2014 run on rules. But rules are only useful if they\u2019re internalised.
Try this:<\/p>\n\n
Once the rules are up, you\u2019re not done. In fact, that\u2019s where the real work begins.
Logical subjects demand repetition. Think of it like preparing for a driver\u2019s licence:<\/p>\n\n