Top 10 Most Difficult School Subjects

As if school isn't hard enough, this list highlights the subjects that students often find the most challenging!

The Top Ten

Physics

For the majority of people, physics is very tough because it applies numbers to concepts that can be very abstract. Electricity and Magnetism, for instance, is just one example that can be taught during the first year. For me, physics is actually quite simple, and it becomes very interesting when you fully understand it and its applications.
If you fundamentally understand what is happening, equations are nice, but you understand why the equation works. This makes it much easier to memorize, instead of just guessing which equation to use. However, for me, foreign languages are the hardest to learn simply because I could never take the time to learn another one. They say the best way to learn is to go to another country, though.
Chemistry

Chemistry isn't just a science. It's science with tons and tons of math. If you aren't good at math, like I wasn't, chemistry will be insanely hard for you. I also had the misfortune of getting a teacher who had never taught chemistry before, let alone full time. So this all added up to a horrible class (for me, at least).
It's not just about blowing stuff up or causing chemicals to react. It's about learning the science behind it, which is not fun at all. The amount of math is honestly overwhelming. I should've gotten a math credit for this class too. It's a lot of work.
The memorization of vocabulary isn't bad, but all the other stuff is. If you ever have to do stoichiometry, honestly, it feels unbearable. Stoichiometry was the worst part of the course for me.
Foreign Language

I took French for all four years, and it really didn't get bad until the fourth. Honestly, the worst part about a foreign language is all the different tenses, genders, and forms of words. It's so confusing. Other than that, basic vocabulary isn't hard, and it ends up getting easy to read sentences and know what the words mean even if you have never seen them before.
My French 4 in 12th grade was a college-level course, so it ended up being hard, especially since everyone in the class was smarter than I was. The worst part about my experience with French was that I started with such high hopes and excitement, and left with an immense disliking for the language.
Math

Quite literally, the only subject I'm "failing" (A-, but it still really bothers me) is math. The hardest part is that I don't hate math. I actually quite enjoy solving equations and word problems. I'm just so bad at it! I can't think logically, and the numbers seem to float aimlessly in my head.
I struggle in this class, and I clearly won't be going into a mathematical profession. Rather than embarrassing me in class because I can't answer something that seems basic to everyone else, just teach me what I need to know for life. Sure, every job requires math, but basic math and easily calculated math. It's not practical to keep shoving numbers where they don't need to be.
Calculus

In the UK, Calculus is not a required part of the GCSE. Instead, it is for A-level.
For advanced students, Calculus is in GCSE Further Maths, which is an optional qualification.

This should really be math. In high school, math is a joke. All of the math leading to calculus and calculus itself isn't too hard as long as the professor doesn't want it to be. Also, math in high school is very memorizable.
However, once you go past calculus, you realize that not everyone can hope to comprehend higher mathematics. For instance, Complex Analysis was so hard at my university that the averages were around a 15 out of 100.
Biology

Biology is by far the most fundamentally useful subject of all the sciences. Being able to understand the logistics of life yields a more appreciative perspective on life. A thorough foundation in the complexity of life requires hard work, though.
Having taken university courses in chemistry, physics, and maths, I can say that biology required the most effort to study. I enjoyed studying it the most as it was the most relevant to direct life.
Learning about titrations and yields in chemistry, calculus and statistics in math, and equations that explain motion in physics are all relevant, but not to the point of biology. I can walk outside and understand every organism and see the beauty in what it holds. I invite any naysayers to look through a microscope at a wet elodea cell and tell me that cytoplasmic streaming isn't awe-inspiring.
In summary, biology is the most work to understand, but it's the most rewarding.
English

It's extremely hard, especially essays. To get good grades, you have to be very creative, think deeply, and follow the guidelines of grammar and format. You also need to present your work in a way that convinces the reader to agree with your opinion.
Understanding your topic is important too, and having great reading comprehension helps with that (sadly, I don't have that since I never really read many books). You also have to think outside the box because English class requires a lot of thought when writing essays, especially with broad topics.
Poetry and narratives are pure hell. Understanding what writers mean when they use literary terms is beyond me. Finding the theme of a story is even worse, especially when there are multiple themes. I hate being horrible at this.
History

I wish History courses would be replaced with life skills and personal finance. Here's how it should work:
- World or US History (for future college students)
- World Economics
- US Economics
- Personal Finance
These are classes we will use. Students should have a basic understanding of history. The doomed to repeat if you don't learn from the past thing is true. But one or two courses are all we need. Current events, economics, and personal finance are skills we need.

Hardest class I've ever taken. Of course, each person is different, but I believe this to be the hardest subject for me. No doubt it gets pretty interesting, but I simply suck at memorization, and I feel this subject relies heavily on memorizing dates, events, and having natural skill at understanding DBQs (Document Based Questions), SAQs (Short Answer Questions), and writing LEQs (Long Essay Questions). Obviously, the skills can be strengthened, but they aren't always natural for everyone.
Trigonometry

So frustrating. If you don't understand something completely, you're done for. The sad thing is: you either get it or you don't. In order to ace a test, you must have near complete mastery over what you have been taught.
Countless times I've taken an exam believing that I would do well, but in the end, receiving a terrible score. You must be excellent at math to do well in this subject.

I agree. Trigonometry is so hard. At least with the other math subjects, they are built on things you have learned in the past. With Trigonometry, there is about one day of review, and everything else is new.
I had straight As in college before taking this subject. It was a good thing I dropped the class, but now, I have a W (Withdrawal/Fail) on my college transcript.
Algebra

I had to take Algebra in seventh grade because of a sixth-grade placement test, and let me just say that it is not the easiest thing in the world! Try going from the simplistic sixth-grade math, where the only "algebra" you were doing was incredibly simple equations with just one or two variables, to much harder equations. These included negative numbers, multiple variables on both sides of the equation, and much more complex formulas that you had to learn!
It made no sense to me at first, until I finally understood the weird rules as to how everything works. Now, I've passed the final exam with flying colors and am hoping Geometry in eighth grade will go a lot smoother for me.

The Newcomers

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Spelling
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Home Economics

The Contenders

Geometry

This class made me feel like a complete numpty. My self-esteem levels went from extremely high to extremely low. I'm writing this a year later and I forget everything about Geometry. In my opinion, Algebra is much easier. Then again, my school made me take the same course I took in 8th grade, which I had already passed, solely because I went to a public school and they were a private school.
Yes, proofs were very vexatious if you could not remember every single step to why your answer was correct. Here are a few valid points to back up my claim about Geometry:
- I found SOHCAHTOA the most complicated.
- Even my friend dreaded Geometry on the same level that I did.
- I barely had enough time in my schedule to get tutored by my school. It came to the point where I stopped paying attention and got the same grades that I did when I was paying attention.
To conclude my point, I believe Geometry is by far one of the hardest high school subjects because it just never made much sense to me. I don't think it is useful for every single career unless you want to be an architect or something along those lines.
Algebra II

This is the hardest subject I have come across. I'm in 9th grade in the top math class for my grade, even though I passed last year with a C. I asked my 8th grade math teacher why he thought I met the standards for the class, and he said I scored well on the state testing. Really. What the heck is with state testing? I think it should be removed.
Anyway, I have a B in this class, and for the first marking period, I had a C, not a good grade. Looking back, Algebra 1 was rather easy. This is just complete nonsense.

I'm sitting here with a C in this class. You either get it or you don't, and I'm part of the latter. This is the first class I've really struggled in ever, and it's really bringing down my self-confidence.
My motivation is low as well because I just can't bring myself to see the point in all this.
Science

For some reason, I've lacked the skills for science, even though I read a lot in subjects like social studies. Science is kind of different for me due to the fact that the teacher doesn't do that many discussions, but instead relies on notes and textbooks for us to memorize. I know some people might find this method much better and easier for them, but even though I'm not really the type of person to be too social, discussions are just different from memorizing off of notes or textbooks.
This could also be due to my teacher's teaching methods, which is something I cannot change. However, it still doesn't change my opinion that I find science different because of not only the topic but also the fact that in order to learn, we only take notes and read the textbook.
Computer Science

I am currently taking AP Computer Science A in 11th grade, and it is so hard and stressful. My mom forced me to take it. I am not interested in coding and I don't want to be a programmer or go into a computer science or engineering field when I grow up. I literally can't even remember the basics of coding and I have to get help from my mom for every assignment.
It's worse because I am a slow learner compared to my peers, and I have no motivation for anything in general. I also do terribly on tests, especially on questions where we have to write the code. I have like a B+ in the class. I would be getting a C-D, or even failing the class, if my mom didn't help. My motivation is getting even worse because I have two more weeks and four days before summer starts, and I am just tired of school in general. I can't wait for this terrible school year to end. After that, I literally don't want to do anything related to programming again.
Philosophy

In school, I failed Philosophy with the lowest grade allowed in my school: 05E. My teacher told me she didn't give me a lower grade because she wasn't allowed to.
Statistics

Statistics is more of a logic course than a math course.
With formulas, try to forget the symbols, letters, etc., and try to understand exactly what you're doing in each step.

Statistics is so much harder than other subjects. Only those who have this subject know how difficult it is. I am a 12th class student of science, and I have statistics.
It is more difficult than normal math. Only top-class math students should pursue this subject. Otherwise, let it go.

Why isn't this higher? I struggled in this class!
Engineering

I took an intro to engineering, and the due dates were short. What made it hard is that the teacher talks way too fast, and even though you ask questions, you still wouldn't get it.
You also have to use mathematics in this class, and in my opinion, I think it's rough.

I haven't taken engineering yet, but I'm planning to if I have time among the other subjects.

All subjects in engineering, particularly in physical science, are hard.
Anatomy

Currently taking Honors Anatomy for my junior year of high school. It's hard when you're lazy and don't have enough time to study for it. It has a lot of things and details that you have to know. My teacher gives us blank paper for the answer sheet, and we have to write down the answers without any hints except for the question. We had to do it for the labeling of bones, which was a lot.
Another thing I hate about anatomy is the physiology part because I just hate when everything goes into detail, especially since most of that stuff was new to us.

So much goes into something as simple as blinking. In Anatomy and Physiology, you learn about what it takes to blink, but it is infinitely more complex than you could possibly imagine. Best of luck to those thinking about taking it!
Social Studies

I can tell it's hard. I made a Minecraft version of a social studies exam and showed it to a few friends, and they all exploded their heads.

We had to learn about governments and memorize dates and stuff. It was so boring and lame.

Too many projects, presentations, essays, and really hard tests!
Accounting

You never know what is going on in this module. If you miss one part, then everything is gone since all topics are integrated.

It's easy in the beginning, then it gets complicated. Everything needs to be understood because one may get lost. Then you'll have to cope with timing issues. Tough.

Accountancy is the second hardest subject after physics, dude!
Organic Chemistry

It's all of the problems you had in regular chemistry, but now the difficulty is three times harder and filled with unneeded complications.

It's so hard to find sources to support your statements when writing an essay.

Hardest class I ever took. Honorable mentions: Microbiology, Architecture, and Biochemistry.
Integrated Math

Whoever thought this was a good idea and that anyone would do well in this class was clearly mistaken. The students hate it, and nobody does well in it.

This subject made Calculus look like it's for kiddies.
Mandarin

Okay, so when I went to a private school, we had to learn Mandarin, which included writing, speaking, and reading it. After six months of going to a local, normal school, I have forgotten 99% of what I learned.

For sure. I used to know how to write in Mandarin, but after one year with no lessons, I have forgotten almost everything. It's really hard to remember. There are so many little lines!

Me too. When my friends speak Mandarin, I'm like, How can they speak so fast!?
Latin

Learn French, Spanish, Italian. As simple as that, although I don't know Latin.

This must be the worst subject ever! Even worse than Ancient Greek.
Religion

Depending on what religion you are learning, you need to learn its origin, history, textual scripts, books and documents, dogmas, and fundamentals. Take it a step further by learning that specific religion's influence upon the world, politically and socially. If you continue to study deeper into that specific religion, you might as well study its morals and compare them to other beliefs' moralities.
Depending on what religion you are learning, you need to understand literature. There are religious books such as the Holy Bible that have specific texts not to be taken literally. You may also need to learn a different language, since a lot of religious books use various languages to prove specific contexts.