This writing prompt reminds of job interview questions, so my mind goes quickly to my work history, and most of the drama in my life stems from actions I took but regretted later instead of not taking action and then regretting it.

I now think about my education. I just had a visit with a friend who was a math teacher. I am now reminded that as I was working my way through my first couple years of college at Oakland Community College, my first choice of major interest was science. I wanted to be a fish expert. Growing up in Michigan, fishing was a part of our family heritage. I wanted to know and study the fish of the Great Lakes, perhaps work in a fishery or for a state government in fish health stuff, but I ran into a problem–math.

In high school I was unmotivated. As a non-traditional student (starting college at the age of 25), I was highly motivated. I wanted to study everything. I had a passionate curiosity. When it was time to declare a major interest, I chose Humanities instead of science. I was afraid of all the math I would have to master, so I gave up my dream because I was afraid of math.

Now I look back with a bit of regret. Now I understand that there are people in the world called math tutors. I chose to study things I was curious about and easy and good at. If I could do it all again, I may choose to stick to my original dream. I would make use of the math tutors most colleges and universities provide, yet, I would have missed out on what I enjoy in the world of humanities. I still enjoy literature and art and history, especially our distant history.

I took an easier, softer way–embracing the things I was already good at instead of challenging myself to learn math.