Here are three things that I learned in exponents;

1. What a power is: an expression build on a base and exponent. For example; 3²
2. What a base is: a number that is multiplied by itself in the power. For example; 5
3. What an exponent is: the number of times you multiply in the base. For example; ⁵

I originally had difficulty in understanding what the difference between an exponent was (which was the number you have to multiply in the base), and how it was different from a number you simply multiply against the base. But now, I have learned and know how to use exponents, and am prepared to build on it in order to learn new other types of math.