It’s okay to not do Maths.

When I tell people I did only Humanities for my HSC, they usually look at me in shock. I took English Advanced, English Extension, Modern History, Ancient History, History Extension and Legal Studies. That’s 5 out of my 10 units being History based with no sign of Maths or Science anywhere. And I still did well.

There’s a myth that Humanities subjects are a little like hobbies; fun to dabble in but ultimately useless for any serious business. This is false, and the idea that students should instead choose academically ‘safer’ subjects like those which are Maths and Science based is a potentially destructive one. Good results are inextricably linked to the level of interest and motivation that a student brings to their studies, and that mindset won’t exist if they undertake subjects simply because it’s the norm, it’s prestigious, or it scales well. I decided to drop Maths at the start of year 12 after I realised that I had never actually developed a deep interest in it, a fact which contributed to countless unfinished homework exercises, unending boredom and undue frustration. The fact that I wasn’t considering a university course with Maths as a prerequisite sealed the deal.

My decision to spend my HSC year on essay-heavy humanities subjects was one of the best decisions I’d made, but it didn’t convince others. My peers baulked at the thought of a year spent almost entirely on reading and writing, and questioned the usefulness of such a monopoly for my future studies and employment. In response to the former question, there are many students with the interest and skills to take on this subject arrangement (I’m one of them). In some ways it’s simply a personality trait, but it’s also so important to be taught the foundations of writing and the ways to refine those skills for each particular subject. In response to the latter question, the skills you’d develop in humanities subjects, including written and verbal communication, are invaluable to success in higher education and in the workplace.

Ultimately, I would advise following your interests when you select subjects. Don’t be afraid to step outside the norm, because your interest, motivation and commitment will help you so much more in the long run.