Most college students encounter subjects that are challenging to them in their studies. Depending on student learning strengths and weaknesses, there are always some subjects they have to work harder than others to excel in. Your interests will also incline you towards particular topics and, in the same way, repulse others that diverge from your preferences. In particular cases, it is the attitude that counts.
Many students excelled in unfamiliar subject areas because of extra efforts to acquaint themselves with the divergent topics. If a student invests in the learning, they can succeed in any subject. In subjects where the students might not have the prerequisite knowledge, it would render more difficult to sail through. Students typically find math, science, economics, and philosophy more challenging than others to learn.
However, there are ways you can overcome learning difficulties and still excel in such trying subjects.
The Most Challenging School Subjects
There are particular subjects that many students find challenging, mostly non-art topics. Such topics usually have technical theories which are not easily understandable by the learners. Testing scores on such subjects are also marginally lower than other less technical ones. These include:
- Math– Topics in math include number theories, calculus, logic calculations, algebra, differential statistics, among others. Many students struggle with comprehension of the topics as they involve arduous computations which require time to master. Getting the final answer right is usually critical in mathematics, and a misstep in a long process of calculation results in a wrong answer. Students find this error-prone process frustrating before mastering the technique.
- Sciences– The sciences are courses that fewer students venture into due to the associated difficulties of mastery of topics. Only 1.3 percent of students in tertiary institutions in the U.S. enrolled for physical sciences in 2014. Students graduating from science courses become professionals in technical fields like medics, engineers, physicians, etc., which underlies the rigor of the subjects.
- Economics– Economics courses combine psychology, sociology, and history. To succeed in the subject area, students need to master numeral and analytics skills. Topics in the subject area include complex data and techniques of statistical and mathematical analytics that many students struggle to complete. Some of the student challenges with math and sciences also feature in economics.
- Philosophy– Philosophy focuses on rational reasoning about various life concepts and theories. The subject branches out to philosophy of the mind and of the sciences. Mind philosophy attempts to explain willful human behavior while the sciences feature epistemology, methodology, and science foundations. Students find some of the topics complex to master.
Overcoming Difficult Subjects
Taking up trying subjects need not relegate you to a fate of poor scores in college. You will be glad to know that you can achieve excellent scores like other easy-to-tackle subjects. You only need to adopt particular strategies to overcome the learning challenges and will sooner be on your way to top scores in all your study areas.
There are common strategies you can use to overcome challenges in particular subjects, including:
1. Take Practice Tests Before Main Tests
The phrase “practice makes perfect” makes absolute sense in overcoming the difficulties of learning challenging subjects. You can search for and take frequent rehearsal tests before the real one to give you an idea of what to expect. If you anticipate taking a test as a qualifier for enrolment to a graduate or business school, mock tests are essential. For example, a GRE math subject test practice will adequately prepare you for the challenging math exam.
2. Join or Form a Study Group
Studying in a group avoids the false confidence arising from assumptions that you studied everything. When in a group, you have others pointing to you the topics overlooked when reading alone. Study groups are also motivators for the study members to keep going even when the subjects are hard to master.
3. Ask Instructors or Specialists for Help
Reaching out to subject matter experts is a strategy bound to reap great results. The experts are familiar with the topics through daily interactions in their practice areas and explain complex theories in easy-to-understand modalities. The specialists also provide new perspectives that help your analytical and reasoning capabilities when tackling questions.
4. Focus Your Study Plan
A golden rule when studying is to be more attentive to challenging topics that are troublesome in mastery. Emphasis on the trying subject areas through the repetitive study will make the learning stick. You need to list all the challenging study concepts and define a set period and frequency of studying to tackle them.
Ace the Challenging Subjects
You can succeed in challenging subjects by putting in the requisite efforts. No field is impossible to excel in but, additional exertion is needed. By adopting sound study strategies, you can achieve top scores in challenging topics.