Struggling with algebra is common, but the reasons are almost always the same. Here are the top culprits.

1. A Weak Foundation: Gaps in pre-algebra skills, especially with fractions and integers, are the #1 reason for failure.

2. Math Anxiety: A real psychological fear that shuts down the brain's ability to think logically.

3. Poor Study Habits: Inconsistent practice and last-minute cramming are recipes for disaster in a sequential subject like algebra.

4. Not Seeing the Relevance: Constantly asking 'When will I ever use this?' shows a lack of connection to the material.

5. The Leap to Abstraction: The move from concrete arithmetic to abstract variables is a huge, and often difficult, mental jump.

6. A Fixed Mindset: Believing you are 'bad at math' becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

7. Not Asking for Help: Trying to struggle through confusion alone instead of seeking help from a teacher or tutor immediately.

The good news is that every single one of these can be overcome with the right strategy and mindset.

Identify your reason, and you have identified your battle plan.