Key Takeaways

• Mathematics and English consistently top the list of subjects students dislike the most.
• Primary reasons include perceived difficulty, lack of relevance, and teaching methods.
• Dislike rates vary by age group and region, but the overall trend is stable worldwide.
• Active learning, real‑world connections, and supportive feedback can dramatically improve attitudes.
• Parents and teachers who address the root causes see higher engagement and better grades.

Ever wondered which class makes students groan the loudest? When you ask a group of secondary‑school learners, the answer usually points to a handful of subjects that spark more eye‑rolls than enthusiasm. Understanding the most disliked subject the school subject that receives the highest level of student aversion in surveys isn’t just trivia - it helps educators reshape curricula and gives parents a roadmap for support.

Survey Data Shows the Top Disliked Subjects

Large‑scale surveys from 2023‑2024, covering over 120,000 students across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and India, reveal a clear pattern. Below is a snapshot from the 2024 Global Student Attitudes Survey:

The numbers tell a story: quantitative and language‑based subjects dominate the dislike column, while more active or visually‑oriented classes sit lower.

Why Students Hate These Subjects

Each subject carries its own set of pain points. Below we unpack the top three culprits.

Mathematics

Mathematics Mathematics involves numerical calculations, algebraic reasoning and abstract concepts is often labelled “hard” because it builds on prior knowledge. When fundamentals slip, later topics feel like a wall of symbols. Additionally, many curricula present problems without showing real‑world applications, leaving students wondering, “When will I ever use this?”

English Language

The English Language covers reading comprehension, essay writing and literary analysis demands both creativity and critical thinking. For non‑native speakers, the grammar rules and extensive vocabulary become a double hurdle. Teachers sometimes focus on literary canon that feels distant from teenagers’ lives, fueling disengagement.

History

History History studies past events, cultures and societal change often leans on rote memorisation of dates and names. When students cannot see the link between a 19th‑century treaty and contemporary issues, the subject feels irrelevant.

Impact on Learning and Future Choices

Dislike isn’t just a mood; it can shape academic trajectories. Studies from the University of Bristol (2023) show that students who rank a subject in the bottom quartile of enjoyment are 30% more likely to drop related elective options later. This cascade affects university admissions - fewer students apply for STEM or humanities tracks, skewing workforce pipelines.

How Parents & Teachers Can Turn the Tide

Good news: attitudes can be reshaped with targeted strategies.

• Connect concepts to everyday life. Use budgeting exercises for Mathematics or analyze news articles in English to demonstrate relevance.
• Adopt active learning. Flip the classroom: let students solve real problems before the lecture, then discuss solutions together.
• Provide scaffolded support. Break down complex tasks into bite‑size steps, offering checklists and model answers.
• Celebrate small wins. Quick quizzes with instant feedback boost confidence and reduce anxiety.
• Encourage choice. Allow students to select topics within a subject - e.g., a math project on sports statistics - fostering ownership.

When parents reinforce these tactics at home-like discussing the math in a grocery receipt or reading a short story together-the classroom message is amplified.

Regional & Age Differences

While mathematics tops the dislike chart globally, regional quirks exist. In the UK, GCSE students report higher dissatisfaction with English due to stringent essay standards. In contrast, US high‑schoolers point more to physics within Science as a barrier because of lab equipment limitations.

Age matters too. Primary‑school pupils often dislike subjects that require abstract reasoning (Math, Science) while secondary‑schoolers grow weary of subjects with heavy reading loads (English, History). Tailoring interventions to these age‑specific pain points yields better results.

Frequently Asked Questions