As you grow up, you’re asked to do more and more things that you don’t like. This is part of growing up. Learning to accept the things you have to, and doing the things you are expected to no matter your wishes is intrinsic to your growth as an adult. Part of the responsibility that keeps getting more and more unpleasant as time goes by is school. Whether you admit it or not, you know there is that one hour everyday that you dread. It may be because it bores you out of your skull, or you find yourself sleeping through it, or maybe you just don’t like who’s teaching it, or who you’re sitting beside. That one hour everyday is enough to ruin the rest of the 23 you still have left. That one hour everyday is precisely why you don’t want to go to school. Let’s take a look at the top ten classes that kill the spirits of even the most enthusiastic students.

10. Biology

The human body is a very interesting thing, true. I’m sure everyone has gone on a little, um, expedition, um, exploring the various patterns and crevices of their body (or maybe your classmates’ body). Some people even obsess over it. It’s just that some of you don’t like the idea of looking beneath the skin, or having teachers discussing intimate details of your body in such a clinical tone that adds some level of discomfort instead of assuaging everyone in the room. That’s totally understandable. Anyone would be hard-pressed to think of why dissecting a frog is the best way to start off their day. It’s fascinating, true, but would you really want to poke around a preserved brain instead of teasing out its contents by a carefree conversation with that cute girl who sits across you in History class? The choice is easy, isn’t it?

9. Economics

It was all fun and games until economists decided to overcomplicate the world. At least, that’s how high school students perceive the role of economists the world. All those graphs and equations to explain concepts that you can say in words just does their head in. To the average college student, saying "the more dresses you have, the cheaper they become" is infinitely more simple and therefore preferable that using the supply graph. To most students, drawing that graph is simply a waste of effort. The thing of it is, basic economic principles really are simple, but they do require some explanation so that you will comprehend them and all their implications. Economics comes with a lot of graphs and charts to accompany the explanations, not because economists want to prevent understanding, but because that’s precisely how understanding is facilitated.

8. Algebra

The simplest of all mathematical fields makes an appearance at number eight. The problem is that people are easily intimidated by numbers. Some people don’t even want to try Sudoku puzzles because they are under the mistaken impression that Sudoku involves math; they refuse to acknowledge it for the game of logic that it is. Students come up with the most ridiculous excuses to hate Algebra, ranging from, "I’m not going to need it in my chosen profession" to "Why? Can numbers form sentences? I don’t intend to speak in numerical code and mathematical equations for the rest of my life!"

As with most things that human beings find daunting, it is mostly the dread that really gets in the way of the appreciation of mathematics. Math can be fun, and as the easiest of the disciplines, algebra is also the easiest to conquer. Opening your mind will help you love math, and have it love you back. (Beat algebra by learning the Top 10 ways to ace an algebra exam)

7. Trigonometry

Since the subject of math has already come up, trigonometry also gets a lot of negative press. The terms that get thrown around are just too intimidating sometimes. Sine? Cotangent? Any average reasonable person would nosebleed at that. If you say these terms at random to any average reasonable person without some kind of warning, they’re just going to walk away shaking their heads at you, just like how you walk out of class when the bell rings. Trigonometry isn’t as straightforward as Algebra, but again, the key is to not get intimidated by all the logarithms, keep your focus, and always, always have a calculator.

6. Writing (Technical or Creative)

This should come as no surprise. The sorry state of the essays and papers that the average high school student turns in is a testament to their loathing of the written word. It does seem like writing has its haters. The way most of you groan whenever a new essay assignment of 1,000 words is given out on "What [I] Did Last Summer Vacation" is indicative of this. That’s just for a normal class. Imagine a class where that’s all you’re expected to do: write. Just churn out papers day after day, trying to find ways to top your last effort. Writing doesn’t have to feel like a chore, though. Although you’ll feel like the rules of grammar and syntax are getting in the way of your prose, just remember that the true sign of creativity is when you’re able to work within limited parameters and give out excellent output. (Tips on how to write an essay)

5. Literature

The problem with literature classes isn’t so much that the subject matter is boring. It’s just that it involves a lot of reading. Repeat: A lot of reading. Most of you can’t be bothered. "Who cares about what some crusty author wrote during the colonial times? Is that going to help me get a date for prom?" It certainly can’t be helped when it seems like said crusty author is still alive, talking in front of you in the most depressing monotone, reciting passages from the book!

Literature, though, is more than the backbreaking reading list and the mistaken belief that nothing can be gotten from books. Literature is about opening you up to a whole new world of possibilities. If you’d look beyond the "big" words, and the "boring" prose, you’ll see.

4. History

All those dates and all those facts – is it any wonder you guys don’t love history? Here’s a question: Have you ever considered that maybe it’s not history that you hate but how it’s taught? The overemphasis on dates and facts isn’t the essence of history. History is all about understanding the significance of past events, how they impact the current state of affairs today, and how the achievements and lessons of the past might remain useful today. That is the essence of studying historical events – finding out the meaning of the facts. The learning in history doesn’t end with knowing what happened; it continues on and on until you get sick of analyzing the event. So don’t hate it. It’s a wonderful subject, and how it’s taught should never influence what you think of it. Don’t think of the messenger; consider the message.

Because history is such an unpopular subject, many of those who hate it miss out on cool facts about such interesting people as the least famous American Presidents.

3. Chemistry

It’s quite interesting how most people are willing to live their lives consuming the products of various chemical reactions without venturing to grasp how these reactions work and what the catalysts are for them. It doesn’t help that chemistry involves words and complicated sentences, a lot of jargon, logic, and equations! No wonder you guys don’t like it; it has everything you could hate in a subject. There’s also the little bit about how this also requires some manual activities. Think about it. Chemistry also requires laboratory work, and with chemicals in the picture, there are just too many variables for anyone to really be comfortable. It’s not about laboratory explosions, really. Sometimes, it’s just that it seems like you can’t get the results that your teacher wants. It’s like the chemicals are against you, lowering your grade without your consent.

2. Calculus

Derivatives. Limits. The fundamental theorem. These are the words that strike fear into the hearts of students. Calculus is probably the most daunting of all classes. It doesn’t help that in everyday life, rarely will you find a true calculus expert who seems the least bit approachable, or one you’d even venture speaking to. At the end of the day, it really is just all about perception. True, it’s difficult, and not everyone can claim to have a thorough understanding of it. Despite that, it’s certainly not impossible to comprehend. In all seriousness, calculus requires a lot of hard work, but it’s certainly within the realm of human comprehension. You may hate it, but who knows, it may end up loving you.

1. Gym

It’s a surprise entry, and number one, to boot! The problem with gym is that it’s not like the other subjects you can possibly hate. Once you’ve started doing badly at it, you’re basically saying goodbye to getting any better, your self-esteem, and any hope you’ll be playing with the big kids in a good team. That’s just how gym goes. It doesn’t do it on purpose. Don’t even start with the fact that you’re going to have to change in and out of that gym uniform. A locker room full of your most judgmental peers may be your worst nightmare. The clean up afterwards to make sure you don’t start reeking? It’s your most unwanted chore. Getting picked last for gym? It’s the subject of your future therapy sessions. For all these reasons and more, gym is number one on our list of most hated subjects.

Don’t let fear or loathing get the best of you, whether in Las Vegas or anywhere else. The truth is if you’re willing to clock in the hours and pour out that sweat, then you’ll get the concepts, memorize those equations, and nail that A. The key is to not have a defeatist, losing attitude when you get that test paper. The key is to not give up before the challenge even begins. If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in learning how to get good grades.

 

* Love ‘em or hate ‘em, students will still need to devote time to study just to pass subjects even they don’t like. The trick is to prepare well for any exam. Learn how to study the correct way so you’ll get to enjoy your summer break even more.