Taking the hardest classes in college

[Theprofessional]

I have a dilemma. Since I was a teenager, I've  been following  Leo's rule to "always do everything that is emotionally most difficult" as best I can so that I can live a self-actualized life. This has resulted in many low points, but also many high points.

However, it's time to pick my major in college, and I don't know what to do. I've been forcing myself to take some of the hardest courses I can, which has brought down my GPA significantly and made me start to absolutely hate school.

Math isn't my strong suit and I have no interest in it, so I was planning on majoring in engineering, since that is the most emotionally difficult thing to do. Everyone in my life is telling me that I shouldn't do that, even engineers that I know. I am more mentally geared toward "easier" bullshit subjects like art and philosophy and English, the ones that are absolutely worthless, so that's unfortunate. In my dream world, I would major in mythology.

I'm taking Calculus the second time in a row this quarter, because I had to drop it the first time, and it is absolutely killing me. My general mood has worsened and over the past month I have felt my inner spark of inspiration and motivation grow dimmer every time I wake up. My parents say "take classes you are inspired by," and "you need to stop making yourself suffer," but I don't want that. I want to do the emotionally most difficult thing to do, and I want to kick its ass.

What do I do? Am I just going to crash and burn on this path, or am I doing it right? Thanks.

[Leo Gura]

Dude, you're horribly misusing the advice.

Don't do difficult things just for the sake of it. Follow your passions. Stop doing things you have no passion in.

Don't worry, life will present you with plenty of challenges once you're following your passions.

[Theprofessional]

@Leo Gura I could cry Leo, this is exactly what I needed to hear right now.

I hope you're doing well. I also just want to say that your work has been a beacon of hope for me ever since I found your channel. I was a freshman in high school with no confidence, tremendous anxiety, bullied on a constant basis, and I started watching your videos out of sheer desperation and out of a fear that the rest of my life would be more of the same.

Thanks to you I began meditating daily and I figured out how to overcome my anxiety, along with many other things. I am now in the best place I have ever been (despite what the post above implies).

You completely changed my worldview and I am eternally grateful.

[Leo Gura]

@Theprofessional Cheers! Keep going. Think for yourself, don't follow advice mechanically.

[Hello from Russia]

1 hour ago, Theprofessional said:

Math isn't my strong suit and I have no interest in it, so I was planning on majoring in engineering, since that is the most emotionally difficult thing to do. Everyone in my life is telling me that I shouldn't do that, even engineers that I know. I am more mentally geared toward "easier" bullshit subjects like art and philosophy and English, the ones that are absolutely worthless, so that's unfortunate. In my dream world, I would major in mythology.

I cracked up reading this . But kudos to you that you were actually pulling a trigger on this, in a sense you was actually actualizing this advice

I guess the general direction is important to be of your liking too, as well as doing difficult things

[Bando]

This is a pretty kick ass mentality but college?? Thats not where I would best use this mentality, go create a business, go talk to cute girls, reach your body's genetic potential all of this shit is difficult and its a lot more fun than trying to brute force your way through calculus or engineering.

[Snader]

Choose the subject you like the most and try to master it and become the best in it by learning the shit out of it. There is the challenge you seek for.

Remember how privleged and lucky you are to be able to choose what to study.

[Guest SirVladimir]

14 hours ago, Hello from Russia said:

I cracked up reading this . But kudos to you that you were actually pulling a trigger on this, in a sense you was actually actualizing this advice

@Theprofessional I hold in respect for your sheer willingness to choose something like this. I presume this thread has already given you the answers you were looking for, therefore I will simply wish you the best fortune upon your journey. You're amazing! 

[Hello from Russia]

15 minutes ago, neutralempty said:

I study math for which I have not much passion for, only for some subfields, but I hope to be able to use it as a means to a better future where I can do something I have passion for with more freedom, credibility and financial stability.

I'd rather practice guitar and create my own video games, but what can I do. 

Sounds like there is a much shorter path somewhere