At the centre of every British school there are three subjects: English, Maths and Science. Inescapable until sixth form, you’ll either love them or hate them.
Chances are you’ll hate at least one – I could never stand Maths (a fact that’s reflected in my inability to budget). Sadly for all the special snowflakes out there, there’s no getting away! Even though you may loathe them, you’re going to have to deal with them. And here’s how.
Life skills
Importantly, you just have to remember that these are life skills. Even though you’ll probably never use a scientific calculator again as a writer (equally, you probably won’t employ pentameter as an accountant), you’ll value the ability to use the basic skills that each subject teaches. And if you like two out of three, then you haven’t actually got that big of a problem – muscle through and think of the day when you can pick whatever you want!
Express yourself
However, if you’re a student who’s dead set on becoming the next Maggie Smith or Turner (good luck!) and you can’t stand any of the core subjects, you may have hit a bigger wall. Unfortunately there’s still not much you can do. All students are required to take these subjects by law, and you’ll have to accept that. But instead of hating your time around chemicals and couplets, find a way to express yourself.
Nowhere else in life can people twist the rules so much! Have a creative writing assignment and a talent for drawing? Graphic novel! Chances are you’ll score higher than the 20 idiots writing the same story, and you’ll get to draw! Struggling to think of a way to dramatically present your science assignment? This one’s obvious! Although this might seem like cheesy advice on a par with after school television, teachers just want to see students engage, and you’ll be doing it in a way that you like.
Give it your all
Don’t skip lessons. It’s not worth the time. You’ll get caught, teachers will drag your parents into it and life will become horrible. You’re much better off adapting the classroom to your needs or simply muscling through an uncomfortable class. And when you ultimately reach sixth form, you can hold your head up high and walk away from English, Maths and Science knowing that you gave it your all. Or at least some of it!
Do you have any tips on how to handle core subjects if you hate them? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo: Aaron Escobar / Flickr
Warwick Editor for Career Camels and Deputy Comment Editor for The Boar.
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