By CLARA KREBSBACH
Staff Writer
An academic subject that has always inspired me is math. Most people my age would say that they despise math because of its difficulty, but oddly enough, it is my favorite subject.
In eighth grade, my math teacher pulled me aside one day to show me my score from a standardized placement test. He was astounded by my results, as they revealed I scored in the 99th percentile of all eighth-graders in America for math. He encouraged me to challenge myself during the ninth grade by skipping two math classes. I was hesitant at first, but my parents encouraged me to give it a try.
As a freshman, I found myself in class with sophomores and juniors, which was extremely intimidating. Throughout the year, some topics were confusing for me because they were based on concepts from the prior math classes which I did not take. Nevertheless, I pushed through and continued to excel, even earning better grades on tests than my classmates.
Once I had taken all levels of math that my school offered, I decided to elevate my knowledge by taking a college accounting class to see if accounting could lead to a potential career. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of math, and I believe that this skill will be beneficial in any profession I choose to pursue. The sense of satisfaction I experience when I correctly solve a problem is gratifying, unlike any of my other academic endeavors.
Because of my ever-growing passion, I have decided to major in mathematics in college, as I could definitely see myself succeeding in a career that utilizes my natural gifts and abilities. I’m interested in exploring how the studies of math and medicine correlate, which could reveal new opportunities for growth and service.