When I was 12 I had to choose optional subjects for my third form year. I had been having piano lessons for a couple of years, and loved music, so the music option was essential. But music only came with french. There were two options, french and music, or music and french.
I didn't want to take french, I wanted to do art.
Being at that stage terrified of rocking the boat, or having to talk to adults in a meaningful way (ie telling them what I actually wanted), I took french and music.
I have regretted it ever since, as there was no real problem with doing music and art, they would have fitted the timetable no problem. If I had only opened my mouth and asked...
I wonder where I would be now if I had asked for what I wanted? I might have developed earlier the habit of open Cversation, and I might never have ended up doing a science degree or a PhD in populations genetics. I might not have been a science teacher and I may have married someone different. I'd have different friends and possibly a different relationship with my parents - if I had gone the 'arty' way they would have found it difficult I think, as they are pretty money focussed.
I was totally hopeless at french.
Posted by Toni at September 16, 2003 08:25 AMFifth form I had to make the same choice. Music wasn't an option at my school at that time but Art was and I wanted to do Art. I asked and was told no. I took French and German. I too was hopeless at French. I think creativity has more standing now and language less.
Posted by: jan at September 16, 2003 10:50 AMDunno - creativity certainly has more standing, but I think it is just european languages that have lost ground. There has been a big leap in the standing of Māori and asian languages
Posted by: toni at September 16, 2003 10:53 AMWhat's a population genetics?
Posted by: Richard D. Bartlett at September 17, 2003 08:46 AM