Last night as Busy-And-Important-Husband wrestled the kids into bed, I tip toed away, quietly poured myself a wine and put the television on.

The 7.30 Report flicked on to my screen and I heard the news reporter say something about people being concerned about the decline in students studying advanced maths. In fact, according to an international report on education standards when it comes to maths skills, Australian students are falling behind.

So, I have a secret to tell you. 

Come closer.

Closer.

*looks around* 

When I studied my HSC I didn’t study maths. In fact, I think I was one of the first students in the State to take advantage of the new rule that said maths was no longer compulsory. 

I know. Shocking.

You see I was (and still is) one of those people with a brain that embraces words and humanity related topics. While I could cope with maths – from memory I was in the second or third top class – it was the only subject that I really struggled with. Maths just didn’t come naturally to me.

The bold decision to drop it came about because I was one of those kids doing too many units per topic. I was studying 3 Unit English, and something else with three units, possibly music or geography? I can’t remember exactly which subjects because it has been a long time since I’ve looked at my HSC results. Truth be told, I can’t even find them!

It was my year advisor who took me aside and told me I had to drop some units. We sat down together and tried to work out what it should be. It was a process of elimination to pinpoint the subject that was likely to drag down my overall result.

And it was maths.  

I remember the scandal when we announced our decision. My maths teacher tutted that I would amount to nothing. My friends looked at me with envy when I remained in the senior common room grinning to myself as they trudged off with their mathematics textbooks in arms.

My parents were supportive of the decision. At least, I don’t remember any angst from them the day I skipped home to tell them. But I’m blessed with parents who have never pushed me. The only shove they would ever give me was in the direction of whatever it was that made me happy.

And the ironic part to this story? Well, after I left school and completed university I then went on to work for….banks. In fact, I have spent more than 15 years working for banks in Australia and Europe. Communications roles that translate the difficult (and at times mundane) into plain (and even exciting) speak. Because that’s what I enjoy doing. Because that’s what I’m good at doing. Because that’s just how my brain works.

Back to the issue about whether or not we should encourage more kids to study maths. If that’s what they want, then yes! I have many friends who are numbers people – it’s a talent I certainly do envy. 

But more importantly I think we should encourage our kids to work out what they enjoy learning, or heck, even feel passionate about. Because there is one formula I certainly do know, and that is happiness = success.