Were there any subjects at school that you really wish you could start all over again?
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
October 19, 2015 12:28pm CST
We all went through school being better at some things than others. I can think of some subjects that I made a complete hash of to start with and never really got to grips with.
French was always a struggle for me, although German was a lot easier because I made a conscious effort to understand each step as I went along and not allow myself to get left behind.
Another subject that left me cold was Chemistry, although I was able to drop this at the age of 14 along with most other science subjects.
However, I wish now that my French was better than it is, and I would also like to have gained a better understanding of Chemistry.
How about you?
7 people like this
10 responses
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
19 Oct 15
Funnily enough, Chemistry is mine. Despite me being a real science buff I only did Chemistry to 'O' level and found it boring. My son did 'A' level Chemistry and is currently in his final year studying for a Masters Degree in Chemistry. Speaking to him has made me realise it was my Chemistry teacher that was the problem. I have recently started an online Chemistry course in an attempt to expand my knowledge of the subject.
1 person likes this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 Oct 15
I think you're right about who did the teaching. My impression of science teaching (in a grammar school in the 1960s) was that you did well if you could draw neat diagrams, but not otherwise!
We had to decide between Arts and Sciences for the two years before taking O-levels, so Biology, Chemistry and Maths disappeared for those of us on the Arts side, but we continued with Physics to A-level (and I actually did quite well at it, getting a better O-level grade than for some of my preferred Arts subjects).
My wife (whom I did not know until school was a long-distant memory) was a "Scientist", which makes life interesting when we're shouting answers at the screen during University Challenge!
1 person likes this
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
19 Oct 15
I did well in school, but when chemistry was presented (by a first year teacher, I'm afraid), it made no sense to me. I always wished I could have studied it with a teacher who had experience as to how to present it.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
20 Oct 15
French for sure.
They did not teach us until the very end of what is called elementary school over here and by that time, I was too distracted to get a good grip on it.
I do love the language.
@intal_carl (299)
• Quezon City, Philippines
20 Oct 15
For me subjects that involve math because I'm not really good in math. But now I really improve in subjects that involved math.
@Believeinreality (20)
• Kolkata, India
28 Nov 15
Well I wish I could start over with Physics. Since childhood I loved this subject but unfortunately, could never understand clearly. Another subject is Mathematics which I still love doing.
@celticeagle (166660)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Oct 15
Never had any of the ones you mention. I am glad to be out of school. Anything I need to learn I will go online to find. I am so thankful of that option now.
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
19 Oct 15
I wish that the English classes actually discussed the structure of the language rather than going over various stories and such.
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
19 Oct 15
Personally no for me. I did well in school and did not wish to take a class over again.
@pcunix (210)
• Middleboro, Massachusetts
19 Oct 15
Well, I took Calculus in High School but only one year and have never used it so forgot everything - heck, it was fifty years ago!
Recently I decided to try a book to see what I could learn.
I think I shut it after a dozen pages or so. I couldn't make heads or tails of it 
