How I Discovered My Passion for Economics
Economics and I didn’t exactly hit it off at first. When I was introduced to the subject at DYPIS, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of concepts that made no sense to me. The graphs, the numbers, the jargon—everything about Economics seemed complicated and distant. I had no idea how these ideas about markets, demand, supply, and inflation were relevant to my life. But as the months went by, something changed. What I initially found confusing began to feel exciting, and soon I realized that Economics wasn’t just about graphs and formulas—it was about understanding the world around me. Here’s how I discovered my passion for Economics.
The Initial Struggles
At first, I found Economics incredibly challenging, especially when we started diving into the topics we studied in IGCSE. The early chapters on supply and demand felt like a foreign language. I remember staring at the demand and supply curves for the first time, not understanding how they connected to anything I had experienced. For example, in the first lesson on price elasticity, I struggled to grasp how a price change could affect the quantity demanded. The calculations and graphs seemed so complicated, and no matter how many times I read the textbook, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the concepts.
The challenge really hit home when we moved into macroeconomics. The idea of national income and the ways in which inflation and unemployment affected economies felt overwhelming. The terminology was hard to remember, and trying to apply the theory to real-world situations seemed like an impossible task. I would sit in class, nodding along as the teacher explained how governments use fiscal and monetary policies to control inflation, but it didn’t make sense to me. How could all of this be connected to things like prices at the grocery store or the cost of living?
The Turning Point
But then, something changed. My teachers at DYPIS started breaking down these difficult concepts in ways that I could relate to. It wasn’t just about learning definitions and formulas anymore—it was about understanding the underlying ideas. One of the first turning points for me came when my teacher explained the concept of opportunity cost using an example that was so simple but so powerful. They asked us to imagine having to choose between spending our pocket money on a movie ticket or saving it for a future event. That, they explained, was opportunity cost—the value of what you give up when you make a choice. I suddenly realized that Economics wasn’t just about abstract theories; it was about the choices I made every day, even with something as simple as how I spent my money.
Connecting the Dots
As we continued with the course, my understanding started to deepen. The more we talked about microeconomics, the more I saw how the concepts were everywhere around me. I started noticing the ways that companies set prices, how they competed with one another, and even how small changes in supply affected the prices of everyday products. I found myself asking questions like, “Why are some things more expensive than others?” or “What happens when there’s too much demand for a product?” The subject slowly stopped feeling like a set of abstract concepts and started feeling like a tool I could use to understand the world.
How Economics Shaped My Leadership
As I moved into higher grades, the subject became even more relevant to my daily life. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills I gained from studying Economics didn’t just help me understand the world’s financial systems—they also helped me navigate my personal and academic challenges. When I became Head Boy of the school, I found that Economics had given me a unique perspective on leadership. Understanding supply and demand, resource allocation, and decision-making helped me approach my new responsibilities with a structured mindset. Whether it was organizing events, leading student initiatives, or managing the expectations of my peers and faculty, the skills I learned from Economics—like analyzing different outcomes and making informed decisions—became invaluable.
Economics taught me to think long-term, considering not just the immediate effects of decisions but their lasting impact. This mindset proved to be crucial as I took on the role of Head Boy. The ability to weigh different perspectives and outcomes allowed me to make thoughtful decisions that benefited both my fellow students and the school community. Whether I was helping organize school events or collaborating with the faculty, Economics helped me approach each challenge with a clearer, more strategic view.
From Struggling to Leading
Looking back, I realize how much I’ve grown. Economics, which once felt like an impossible subject, is now something I genuinely enjoy. It’s not just about the graphs or the calculations anymore. It’s about understanding how the world works, why things happen the way they do, and how we can make better decisions. The skills I’ve developed through Economics have shaped who I am today—both as a student and as Head Boy. I’ve learned that Economics is not just for those who want to become economists; it’s for anyone who wants to understand how society functions, how resources are allocated, and how decisions shape the world.
Looking Ahead
Today, I’m excited to continue studying Economics and explore more advanced topics like international trade, behavioral economics, and the impact of economic policies on global systems. What started as a subject I struggled with has become an essential part of who I am. Economics has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking, and as Head Boy, I am grateful for the insights it has given me to lead with a deeper understanding of the world around me. Economics is no longer just a subject I study—it’s a lens through which I approach leadership and life itself.
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned through my journey with Economics, it’s that the subject isn’t just about numbers or theories; it’s about how we understand and navigate the world. Whether you’re leading a school, managing a business, or just making everyday choices, the principles of Economics can help you make more informed decisions. What was once a challenging subject has now become a powerful tool for understanding and shaping the world—and for that, I will always be grateful.
Author: Asang Seth
(AS Level Student)
