Asking why we need to learn calculus is a common question, especially for teenagers who don’t see its relevance outside of specific career paths. The usual answers of getting into college or landing a good job don’t really satisfy the curiosity. As someone who was once a student questioning the purpose of learning difficult subjects, I never found a compelling reason until recently. I’ve come to realize that taking calculus is not about the practical application of the subject, but rather about proving to yourself and others that you can tackle challenging tasks. It instills a valuable skill of being able to do hard things, which is essential for personal growth and success. By pushing ourselves to overcome difficult challenges, we develop a sense of competence and resilience. Avoiding hard things only limits our potential and hampers our ability to deal with obstacles. It is important to teach our children the value of pushing their limits and showing them that they can accomplish difficult tasks. While grades and specific subjects may not be the ultimate measure of success, they can serve as one way to prove to ourselves that we are capable of tackling challenges. However, there are various other ways to demonstrate this ability, such as pursuing passions, learning new skills, or creating something meaningful. It is important to avoid the
https://blog.nateliason.com/p/proof-you-can-do-hard-things