Ever since I knew myself I've always found arithmetics challenging for no reason, I can't explain why I had so much misalignment with that course of study I mean, I knew the basic one plus one and thirty times two but everything seems weird when you start talking about least common multiple (LCM), highest common factor (HCF) and the likes.
Mind you, these are also the most basic part of arithmetics so imagine having problems with the basics? How do you intend to soar through the thicks? impossible isn't it?.

This was my story many years ago and I'm glad to share this with you as I believe it would also help some of us whom may have had similar challenges in the past or still struggling.
So like I said, I was never a fan of arithmetics or mathematics like some institutions call it,maybe because of my school?, or the person who taught the subject in school but I really don't have to blame anyone because it could also be my careless attitude towards learning.

During my senior secondary school class 2 (SS2), i don't really know what came on me, and I decided to walk a different path in my academic life to see if there will be any notable difference. ”What happened?”.
There came a particular phase in my life where everyone traveled both parents and guardians and I was left home alone for more than two weeks. It was an urgent demand for them and they couldn't take me along because of my school so they handed me over into the hands of a next door neighbor and a very trusted friend to help look after me while they're away.

Do you know what that means? First of all I was a very playful child. The least opportunity you give to me, you'll find me outside playing literally in the mud or something and all turning black from head to toe that is if you're even lucky to find me around the vicinity.
But when my parents traveled, shockingly I didn't find interest going out to play the same way I would on a normal day rather, I kept myself indoors for no reason.

One morning, I turned to my books and I don't know what came over me I went directly to my arithmetics text book which happen to be my worse subject ever. I decided to look into it and see why we have so much conflicts and disagreements between us.
I opened the very first chapter of the book, mind you I was in class 2 but I was looking at the text book I was given in my class 1. Because I knew vividly well If I want to get a complete and vibrant knowledge of the subject I need to tackle the building from the foundation not the roof. I didn't even have this intention of trying to learn for myself actually. All I was doing was lurking to see what's inside the book not knowing the angel of knowledge was right beside me.

The very first page on that book was talking about whole numbers, prime numbers, what fractions are, decimal numbers and how to place decimals. I couldn't get anymore basic that this can it?
I started to look at them and began to understand what number were, how to solve fractions (2/3 +3/2) giving my answers in both fractions and decimals.
Knowing the application of BODMAS and how to apply them effectively.
Moved into number lines, where to position your decimal points on a number line
Went further into algebra and from there, I began to see the little arithmetics that I've always been finding very challenging, I saw them come in handy one at a time on my own with no teacher, no guardian nor mentorship just me and an ordinary text book that I've had for more than a year.

Wow, the deeper I went, the more interesting it was.
Then I started solving trigonometry, angles, using SOH CAH TOA. Mehn, within the space of one week I already understood a lot in arithmetics. I challenged myself to solving exercises I find in the text book and matching them to the solutions provided behind the book. Up to a point where I began challenging fellow classmates to a duel on who can solve a particular question and get the accurate answer.

Everything evolved rapidly to a point i started asking questions in mathematics classes me that was always on mute, attended quizzes and even do correct my mathematics teacher where he does mistakes when teaching in class.
Damn I felt like I was on top of the world.
It got to a point where my classmates would nominate me as their contestant for a mathematics quiz in school. Bro!.
My worse subject turning into a best friend, it was crazy. And this experience taught me something.

Education can come in free or pricey at a certain cost but all of these can be meaningless and a wasted effort if you don't have the zeal and open mind to go for it and embrace your fears and challenges.