As a student, I disliked Mathematics with a fervour. While I understood all the concepts, and could solve a wide variety of numerical problems, something about that subject still turned me off. I resented having to study it. I was scared that it would lead to my downfall for the final exams. It felt as if I would never grow to like Mathematics.

However, one of my private tutors changed my mindset with a short analogy. He asked me, “Will you ever be able to develop a mutual friendship with someone while being prejudiced against them? No, right? To develop a mutual friendship, you need to open your heart to the person. You approach them with a positive mindset, before they can return your feelings in kind. So why can’t you take the same approach with Mathematics?”

At that very moment, I disagreed with him and grumbled some more that I could never befriend Maths. But with time, I realized the value of his analogy. I slowly started countering every mental “I hate Mathematics!!” with a “Uh, no.” followed by a “I love Mathematics. It’s just being a bit difficult right now but that’s okay!”. 

At first, it sounded quite forced and fake. However, with time, I did not feel so antagonistic towards Maths anymore. With this mindset and with other helpful techniques (that you will soon read), I did score a 100/100 in my final exams. 

What matters infinitely more is the mindset shifts that I acquired in the process, that I strongly believe any other student can acquire too. And what you will learn in this blog article is not just limited to the field of academia. So, here’s my challenge to you — find ways in which you can implement these mindset shifts and techniques in other fields of your life. It does not have to big, but it has to be something. Happy reading.

Understanding the cause 

Before you solve an issue, you have to gain a better understanding of the roots of the issue. You may dislike certain subjects for various reasons, and these reasons can vary from person to person. Given below are some common factors that contribute to students disliking particular subjects :

Perceived Difficulty

A subject that is perceived as difficult may lead to frustration and stress for the student. If you struggle to understand the concepts or complete assignments, it can create negative emotions. As you encounter challenges, you may start to doubt your academic capabilities, contributing to a dislike for the subject.

Key : Unfamiliarity leads to apprehension. So become familiar with the subject. Read or watch introductory videos to the subject. Understand what does the subject want you to learn. Build up your concepts from the rock-bottom instead of starting mid-way.     

Lack of Interest

A lack of interest in the content or relevance of a subject can contribute to disliking it. If students cannot see the real-world applications or connections to their personal interests, they may lose motivation.

Key : Find real-world applications of the subject matter to make it more interesting. Understanding the practical implications can make the learning process more enjoyable. Moreover, consider implementing personalized learning strategies to gain an interest in the course material. 

Teaching Style 

The teaching style of a particular instructor can significantly impact your perception of a subject. If the teaching methods don't resonate with you, you may struggle to engage with the material.

Key : Communicate with your teacher. With a cooperative instructor, it should not be difficult to address any learning gaps. Consider changing teachers or hiring a private tutor if possible. Otherwise, don’t hesitate to seek help from other subject matter experts, classmates, or online resources.

Negative Past Experiences

Previous negative experiences with a subject, such as poor grades or difficulty understanding the content, can create a negative association and lead to dislike.

Key : Let your past experiences with the subject motivate you to perform better than ever before. Dissociate from the negativity that you had linked to the subject, and convince yourself that each new term/semester is another opportunity to start with a clean slate.  

Ineffective Learning Resources

Outdated or inadequate learning resources, textbooks, or materials can make it challenging for students to grasp the subject matter, contributing to a dislike for the subject.

Key : Look for alternative learning resources such as videos, documentaries, or podcasts related to the subject. Different formats may make the material more appealing. Visit a library to find more textbooks and practice books on the subject. Consider engaging in entertaining and informative group discussions with other interested peers; what can be better than learning while laughing and enjoying yourself with friends? 

High Pressure and Expectations

Subjects that are heavily weighted in terms of grades or carry high expectations from parents, teachers, or society can create stress and dislike. The fear of failure may further exacerbate negative feelings.

Key : This is a big issue for a vast majority of students. The pressure that students face during their academic life has something about it that takes away the focus from ‘being better than yesterday’ to ‘being better than the others’. This leads to unhealthy competition, where students end up compromising on their mental well-being and self-worth. At the end of the day, all of us should remember that exams are not the sole measure of a student's worth or potential. They provide a snapshot of your academic performance, and that’s it. It's essential for students to view exams as a part of their learning journey, where academic failures are short-term against the learning arc of life. Enjoy your time learning.

Subjective Nature

Some subjects may be more subjective in nature, leaving room for varying interpretations. Students who prefer clear-cut answers and objectivity may dislike subjects with a high degree of subjectivity.

Key : Make your own notes with an extensive use of keywords, bullet points, acronyms, abbreviations, so on and so forth. For example, let’s take a subject like History — students can break easily down long historic incidences to key events (in bullets) with their respective dates attached. Learn the names of important people/places involved as keywords related to that incident. You can then make mnemonics of those keywords, which will make memorization more fun.  

Social Influences

Peer pressure and the opinions of friends or classmates can also impact a student's attitude towards certain subjects. If a subject is perceived as "uncool" or unpopular, students may adopt a negative stance.

Key : Peer influence is very real in such cases. However, do not fall victim to the trap of conformity. At the end of the day, you are the one responsible for your growth as well as your grades. 

Now that you have narrowed down your general dislike towards the subject to some fundamental reasons, I hope you have realized that it’s not so far from understanding the root issue to finding a diligent solution that works for you. Do not indulge in negative self-talk which simply reinforces your assumed incapability in a subject that you dislike. While this can be challenging, remember that it is essential to approach this with a positive mindset and effective strategies to ensure success in your board exams. With that in mind, read the second part of this extensive blog article which will give you some more tips to help you study a subject you dislike : click here!