Math is best summed up as the study of the science of quality, structure, space and change. And in Oregon the requirement to graduate is three years, but many colleges require a fourth.

I find math to be limiting or even useless after AGS 1 or even 8th grade. I have spent countless hours struggling with equations and studying for tests which have no relevance to what I am going to spend the rest of my life doing.

Now, working up to 8th grade, I can say math is very useful. It teaches us a basic understanding or, better said, the benchmark of what all people should have a great understanding of coming out of high school. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are great, but afterwards, it’s all limiting. It gives us extra homework that takes twice as much time than each year before. Studying takes more than two hours for just one test, and overall it takes up so much time that could be used for so many other important things like homework, jobs and exercise. It’s not all terrible, however; there are definitely two sides to this.

Though I hate math with a passion, I completely understand if you or someone you know is an aspiring engineer, rocket scientist or just likes math. I realize that people do find math useful, and that’s great. If you want to follow a career path that needs a higher level of math, then go for it. Math throughout high school, though, should not be required, but should be an elective. High school should be a place where you start to prepare for college and a possible career.

I know people change paths all of the time, but this will give you extra time to find what you want to do. If you feel that your future doesn’t need any high school math, then skip it. Even though I see things this way, I am not trying to take away from any of the students here at TuHS that are very talented and interested in math. Please go pursue your dreams while I pursue mine (without math).