Q&A for How to Cope With a Subject You Hate

Many times when you are faced with adversity, the first thing you must do is to rethink your strategy. Try to prepare a well-focused, positive strategy. Number one, are you taking notes in class? It's one of those simple things that sometimes we forget about, but good notes go a long way, especially when you're studying for the test or the assessment that teachers are about to give. Number two, make sure that you're understanding the material and your notes. If you're not understanding the material that's being presented, and your notes don't make sense, talk to your teacher and ask for extra assistance.

Seek help online. There are many, many free resources online, where teachers, tutors, and companies like Khan Academy and wikiHow have the answer to your questions. When in doubt, go online and see what else is out there. Maybe someone has already asked your question and received a really good answer.

It sounds like maybe you are taking a foreign language class in which your teacher speaks exclusively in that language. It might be the case that you are in too advanced of a level for your understanding of the language. It’s a good idea to talk to your teacher and work together to decide which class level is best for you.

Everyone has different ways of studying, but in my case I feel motivated if I treat myself after studying at least one chapter. Your treat can be candy, chips, spending some time playing a video game, etc., whatever you like!

You could do research and try to learn the subject on your own, you could hire a tutor to help, or you could talk to the principal or someone else in the school's administration and let them know how you feel about this instructor and why. They might be able to move you to a different class.

Just do your best. If what you want to do in the future involves going to college, the schools you apply to will consider your GPA as a whole, which means it is important to do well in every class.

If your parents are insistent about it, the subject is probably pretty important. Just do the best you can, and remember that you will not have to study this subject forever. You'll get through it, and you'll probably learn something useful, even if it doesn't seem that way.

Ask someone for help. You could ask your parents, your teacher or somebody else that may understand the subject.

Try to speak the language at home, with relatives, or with friends/classmates. Talking is always the key to learning a foreign language, because if you don't speak the language properly then there is no use in trying to be better at grammar in writing or listening tasks. You can also ask your teacher what you can do to improve.

Time yourself (use a stopwatch) for a certain amount of time and only when that finishes you get a 20 minute break and then study more. Take away all distractions (e.g., your phone) or study with a group who will help you.