by Amena Anderson

Every semester I take a class that I don’t have to take, but instead I want to take. I enjoy learning and I like a good challenge, so I usually take a class that frightens me or interests me. When I say frighten, I mean to say that I don’t know if I have the background knowledge to do what is required of the class.

For example, I took a “Principles of Finance,” class last semester. Since I am a journalism major, that class is not required, but I felt like I should take it. I was extremely nervous because math and I don’t always get along. Growing up I always struggled in math because I had teachers whose instruction I couldn’t understand. It wasn’t until I attended a community college that I had a professor whose teaching I understood and started getting A’s on exams. But even with all those confidence building accomplishments, math and I still had a rocky relationship.

So with all that taken into consideration, I entered “Principles of Finances” hoping to just survive. I hadn’t taken the accounting class that was required in order to enroll in the course, so I was at a disadvantage compared to the other students. Because I didn’t know some of the basics, I had to work to learn what the other students already knew and learn what was being taught in the class at the same time.

Scott Morter, associate professor of business, said that finance can be intimidating because it takes a certain level of math to be able to understand.

“It’s a whole new language with the investment world,” Morter said. But, “it’s not as difficult as it seems on the surface.”

Gross profit margins, return on assets, return on equity and quick ratio are all terms I knew nothing about before I took this class. I learned about the stock market and how easy it is to understand and invest. I can watch the financial shows on television and actually understand what’s being said. But most importantly, my mind was opened up to a whole new world of understand that I had never considered. After taking that class, I endeavored to learn more because I enjoyed understanding.

“One thing that makes life worth living are challenges,” said Andy Smith, associate professor of bible.

Smith said that if a student is taking on something unfamiliar, he recommends that the student find someone who is already in that field for mentorship and encouragement.

With all the said, I hope to encourage other students to step out of their comfort zone and take a class outside of your curriculum that seems difficult to learn or that seems interesting. If you find yourself struggling, lean on the Holy Spirit for understanding. The only thing you have to lose is nothing.