Hello all,
right now, I am struggling with being back in school... and having to take a math course (introduction to finite mathematics) to satisfy the requirements for the education program I want to get into.
I find myself really anxious every time I sit down to do the homework... and tend to get confused a lot.

In general, I find myself getting anxious when I start to feel lost in class for my other course in geography. The prof talks SUPER fast and it was really overwhelming... but then I went back to do the reading, and most of it was in there.

My question is how do you prepare yourself for studying so you don`t get anxious?

On a happy note, I AM doing the homework, or at least TRYING to do it...which is better than before.

Since I HAVE to have this credit, I tell myself I have to kick its ***, not before it kicks mine, but that I won`t let it kick my ***.
I`ve had lots of bad experiences with math in high school (bad teachers, or trying to take courses when I was clinically depressed)... so this is a big step.

Thanks for your insights in advance!

One thing some friends and mine did was formed a study buddy group, we pretty much only studied before exams, but it was a great way to sort out anything we were having trouble memorizing or still hadn't wrapped our minds around...

When the work is very hard, I forced myself to read ahead. That way when the prof went over something in class, if I didn't understand, I just stuck up my hand and was able to ask an INTELLIGENT question instead of what felt like a stupid one.

Most teachers are willing to tell you what will be covered "tomorrow", it shows them you are taking the class seriously, and gives you a brownie point so if you have to go to them to ask for help understanding something later, they remember who you are and that you really do want to learn...

How to Prepare Oneself for Studying to Lessen Anxiety.....hmmmm...somebody ought to write a book on that.....

Listen, Slowpoke, are you bringing a tape recorder to class? So that you can "rehear" later what the professor says too fast....and so getting lost in class isn't so traumatic....because you have the material on tape -- forever incidentally....

Anyway, how to prepare yourself? Besides taking an anxiety med, I assume is what you mean:)

No actually, telling yourself you only have to study for X amount of time....i.e. 30 minutes...and give yourself the option to stop after that....In fact set an alarm for 30 minutes...THEN you can stop if you wish...but chances are once you're into it you won't want to stop....The trouble is starting....so you can take studytime in short spurts of time.....

Prepare your studying desk ahead of time....with books open, pencils there...and water there.....so when it is actually time to study, you're all set up......all of you have to do is sit down and look at the book....

Another thing -- go to the library....and commit a certain amount of time there for study.....Others there will be studying as well...and your anxiety level may decrease.....