For as long as I can remember, it has been cool to like STEM. I don't know exactly where this idea came from, but I can say that it evolved into the driving force behind my application to MHSHS. Being among the top few students in my 8th grade class, it was expected of me to pursue something in science; otherwise, what was the point? You can’t make money off of English, art, or history.

 

When I first got to Hunter Science, it baffled me how much people liked science. To some extent, it still does. I had always found my English classes more enjoyable, but I still claimed that science was my ultimate favorite.

 

I took a poll to see how many people felt the same: liking humanities classes more but telling people they prefer STEM. About 44% of the three-dozen juniors surveyed said that their English class (AP English Language and Composition) was their favorite current class, yet only 13.5% of those I polled responded that English was their overall favorite. In contrast, around 37% of the students I surveyed told me their favorite class was AP Physics I, Environmental Science, Pre-Calculus, or Algebra II, but 80% said they preferred STEM to the humanities.

 

In the likely event that you skipped the last paragraph, my survey results showed that almost half of those I polled liked their English class most, but very few thought of English as their favorite overall area of study. Although English classes proved to be more popular than both math and science classes combined, four out of five people told me that a STEM subject was their overall favorite.

 

One would think that those who prefer a class would choose that class’s subject as their favorite, but my results proved otherwise. Most people loved their English class, but it didn’t reflect in the number of people who said English was their favorite subject.

 

Perhaps the explanation for this is simple: people don’t like their math and science classes this year, or the junior grade loves the double period required of AP English Language, regardless of the teacher. Though this may be the case, it would be unwise to completely rule out the theory that several juniors feel the same as I do, with a peer-pressure-induced dedication to STEM and adults preaching about the horrendous job market available in the humanities.

 

High school does not determine the way one's life will go, nor does a degree in the humanities equate to lost potential and failure. If you can relate to this, my advice is this: please follow what genuinely interests you. Having the word “science” in the name of your school doesn't mean you must follow it. As corny as it is, don't let the fear of failing stop you from trying. Chances are, you'll be just fine.