- It's fun when you struggle with a concept and then it finally clicks and you understand.
- It's fun to see mathematics actually being applied to a real problem.
- It's fun when you are able to spot trends and make predictions based on data.
- It's fun why you really understand why instead of just the "required" steps.
- When you understand, it becomes easy.
- It can be a lot like a game or solving a puzzle.
- It's fun to develop things logically.
- Later material builds on earlier material, so missing something early is permanent hardship.
- It can be really hard when the teacher goes too fast.
- It can be really hard when the teacher is unclear, especially if they can't give alternate ways of thinking about an idea.
- It can be hard if the teaching style is very different from your learning style.
- There are so many formulas, it can be overwhelming to try to memorize them.
- The theorems, rules and definitions are full of little details.
- It can be difficult to understand the many conceptual ideas that interact.
- Learning related technology can be challenging.
- Only one answer, so you can't fake it.
- Very hard to cram for exams.
- It can be really hard to find a little (stupid) mistake when proofing your work.
- Lots of homework, and problems can take a lot of time.
I'd welcome more comments, including examples of when you found mathematics especially exciting or examples of how your relationship with mathematics soured. Feel free to post a comment.