You (don't) suck at math.

Just mentioning the fact that I'm enrolled in a math class usually immediately elicits a gag reflex in other people, followed by personal math horror stories and always one of the following phrases:

1. "I haaaaaaate math."
2. "I suck at math."

I understand, my friends. I used to say the same things. It's not like I started loving math all of sudden when I decided to be an engineering major. It's more that math is par for the course, so I decided to be a woman and suck it up.

Then the most surprising thing happened. When I actually started paying full attention in class and trying to learn math, I started actually liking it. Weird, I know. And what's even more sick and twisted than that, I started to get interested and excited about math.

The most marked difference in my understanding of math concepts wasn't due to a brain transplant from a recently deceased genius. Nay, I started understanding and liking math because I took an interest in it. In other words, I have a passion for math now.

If you think about something you like doing, a hobby like say playing video games for instance, chances are you do it because you have an interest in it. Personally, I don't really like video games because I suck at them. Why do I suck? Well, aside from my parents never buying me an NES when I was younger, most adult video games are hard to master and hence, I give up because I don't have the passion to commit hours to learning all the kick and punch combos of the new Street Fighter 4.

See how I said I suck at video games? I admittedly suck because I don't want to practice. For most of us, hobbies or subjects like math, science, Japanese, yes, even video games require practice to become skilled at. *Most* of us don't just start playing complex video games from 4 years old nor do we start busting out mad calculus equations without the proper training.

So what I'm I trying to say? I'm saying that if you have a true interest in something, you can do it. Excluding outside factors, many times, the biggest inhibitor of your success is your own damn self esteem and lack of determination to reach your goal. Don't be afraid to push yourself and make your brain ache a bit, whether that's for a college major, career choice, or just in your extracurricular hobbies. Many times the extra effort pays off in the end.