Navigating the Toughest Academic Course: The Case of Art History
Academic challenges often arise from more than just the material itself; they are deeply rooted in our ability to engage with and understand the subject matter. Sometimes, the toughest course can turn out to be one that we least expect. In this article, we explore the experience of a student who faced one of the most challenging academic courses, Art History, during their undergraduate degree.
The Perception of Difficulty
The idea that everything is hard to study if you think it is hard is a prevalent one. However, as the saying goes, love and enjoy what you learn, and you will find that difficulty can be transformed into interest. This concept applies not only to general studies but also to specific subjects. For instance, some courses—such as law, medicine, or certain fine arts disciplines— require extensive memorization, critical thinking, or hands-on practical skills.
A Personal Journey
Consider the story of a student who was a math major with the goal of completing their Bachelor’s degree in just three years. This ambitious plan involved tackling a rigorous course load, including a challenging mix of advanced and junior-level math courses, a graduate-level statistics course, and an astronomy course. Adding to the complexity, they had to fit in an Art History course in their third year.
Despite a perfect academic record, the student found themselves facing a significant challenge in Art History. Unlike other subjects, Art History required a deep understanding of historical context and the intricate links between societal changes and artistic styles. This was a stark contrast to the student's earlier expectations, which were based on the idea that memorizing dates and names would be sufficient.
From Memorization to Analysis
On Day 1 of the Art History class, the professor illustrated the complexity of the subject through two portraits. Initially, the student thought that the course would simply involve memorizing differences between two artworks. However, the professor emphasized the importance of understanding the historical and social context behind these works. The student realized that what they were studying went beyond mere art: it was about the impact of past events on artistic expressions.
Defying the initial expectations, Art History proved to be a challenging intellectual endeavor that demanded a keen eye for detail and an analytical mind. The student, who had aced their previous math courses, found themselves struggling to grasp the significance of the artworks and their historical context. The constant fear of failure made the final exam a tense experience, with the student barely managing to maintain their 4.0 GPA.
Lessons Learned
This experience highlights several key points about the difficulty of academic subjects:
Subjectivity: The difficulty of a course is highly subjective and can vary based on individual interest, background, and study habits. Passion: Engaging with a topic that aligns with one's interests and strengths can make a course much more manageable and enjoyable. Adaptability: Flexibility and a willingness to adapt learning strategies can help overcome academic challenges.Conclusion
The story of overcoming the perceived difficulty of Art History serves as an inspiration for students facing similar academic challenges. It highlights the importance of embracing a subject with an open mind and the belief that even the toughest courses can be managed with the right approach and mindset. Whether you are a math major looking to take on an art history course or a humanities student taking on a math-heavy workload, remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.