Most Disliked Subject: Why Math and Coding Top the List

When you ask students what they most disliked subject in school, the answer is almost always the same: math. Sometimes it’s coding. Rarely is it history or art. Why? It’s not that these subjects are inherently boring or hard—it’s that they’re often taught like puzzles with no picture on the box. You’re handed pieces and told to guess the final image, with no clue if you’re even holding the right ones. Math, a system of logic and patterns used to solve real-world problems. Also known as quantitative reasoning, it’s the foundation of everything from engineering to budgeting—but too often feels like a maze with no exit. And coding, the language computers use to follow instructions. Also known as programming, it’s not about typing fast—it’s about thinking clearly. Yet most people are thrown into it without learning how to break problems down first.

Here’s the truth: people don’t hate math because they’re bad at it. They hate it because they were told they were bad at it—early, loudly, and often. One wrong answer on a test, and suddenly you’re labeled "not a math person." Same with coding. You try to build a simple website, get stuck on a missing semicolon, and quit because you think, "I just don’t get it." But here’s what no one tells you: the people who seem to "get it" didn’t start with genius. They started with patience. They practiced the same thing over and over until it clicked. The USAMO, the toughest high school math competition in the U.S.. Also known as American Mathematics Olympiad, it’s not for geniuses—it’s for kids who refused to give up after five failed attempts at one problem. And JEE Advanced, the engineering entrance exam known for crushing confidence. Also known as IIT entrance, it doesn’t test raw talent—it tests endurance. The students who rank high aren’t the smartest. They’re the ones who kept going when everyone else quit.

What makes these subjects feel impossible isn’t the content. It’s the silence around struggle. No one talks about how long it took them to understand fractions. No one posts about their 3 a.m. coding breakdowns. But the truth is, everyone hits walls. The difference? Some keep going. They find teachers who explain things in plain words. They use tools like Google Classroom or digital learning platforms to replay lessons until it makes sense. They stop comparing themselves to the kid who finished first and start focusing on their own progress. That’s how you turn a hated subject into a skill you own.

Below, you’ll find real stories and straight talk about why math and coding feel so hard—and how people actually got past it. No fluff. No hype. Just what works when you’re tired of feeling lost.