History does not always strike teens and young adults as the most important subject to learn in school. First of all, who wants to learn about the past? Isn’t it the future that counts? Secondly, what can you even do with a history degree? Can you even get a job with that?
While such arguments and questions may dissuade students from learning history in school and university, the truth is history is important and there are lots of careers you can build with a history degree in hand.
History is important in so many different ways. As a society, we need to document and understand our history so we can better understand our present society and improve conditions for all people. The stories of the past are an essential part of our cultural legacy, and sharing the stories of our ancestors helps to affirm our sense of self and community identity.
On a more practical note, learning history can also enable us to develop critical thinking, analysis, research and writing skills. These are skills that are highly valued in fields like law, education, academia, and government. An undergraduate degree in a subject like history is a baseline requirement for law school and teacher’s college, and if you want to pursue graduate studies you will certainly be in a great position to do so with a history degree.
If you have been considering studying history but are not convinced it is the right pathway for you, you have come to the right place. This article is all about studying history, and what skills you need to succeed in a history program. We will also explore alternative ways of learning the subject - history is not just for students, but a subject that is perfect for lifelong learners to pursue.
Students that choose to pursue a degree or postsecondary program in history understand that they are engaging in a journey of learning that will be rich and fascinating. They may also be wondering what their career prospects are like, particularly in the field of education.
What is the Best History Class to Take?
The best history class to take will depend on what your passions and interests are, and where you are enrolled in school. If you are in secondary school, you will likely have to take a Canadian history course that involves learning about European colonization, Indigenous perspectives, and Canada’s role in major historical events of the last century. As a grade 11 or 12 student, you may find courses that focus on areas outside of Canadian history such as world history. These are excellent courses to take as you will likely need a senior level history course as a prerequisite for postsecondary studies in the subject.
If you are already in university or college, you can choose courses based on your program requirements and your own personal interests and passions. Many larger schools will also have additional programs you can combine with your history major. In some cases, you can count some of your history courses toward requirements in a second major, such as:
- Women’s Studies
- East Asian Studies
- Indigenous Studies
- Slavic Studies
- South Asian Studies
- Economics
- Philosophy
- English
To determine which courses to take, check your programs’s website or consult with a faculty member in the history department of your school.
What Skills Do I Need to Be Successful in a History Program?
If you have the passion and interest to study history, you are in an excellent position to start learning history in university or college. To be successful in your courses, however, you will also need to have strong learning skills.
Independent Study Skills
University courses often demand that students be independent learners: much of the learning is done on your own time through reading and research. As such, you will want to be disciplined in your approach, allocating time every day to completing your assigned readings and planning projects.
Writing and Communication
While you will surely develop and enhance your writing skills in history courses, it is good too start out with a solid foundation of literacy and an understanding of what it takes to articulate complex ideas. If you are not aware of the citation rules for your program, make sure you take the time to learn them prior to starting your classes.
Reading Skills
History courses, as we have mentioned, involve a lot of reading. You will want to have a good vocabulary and an ability to read for meaning. Being able to summarize main ideas, and think critically about the ideas and biases of writers will also be critical to your success.
Though teaching certainly has its stressors, it is a challenging and dynamic role. As a teacher, you. receive all the rewards of working with children and teenagers, helping them to develop the knowledge and skills it takes to survive in the real world.
Where Can I Find History Lessons Outside of Formal Schooling?
Though most students of history learn the subject though colleges and universities, is certainly not the only way to find lessons.
People that are interested in learning about a topic in history outside of a formal learning environment can find plenty of options online through non credit, personal development courses, or massive open online courses available through large universities for a small or nominal fee.
The demand for learning the histories of non-dominant communities is high, and there are many community organizations that offer history courses so people can learn more about their cultural past. If you love the idea of teaching your community’s history, why not start your own course or lesson?
Massive Open Online Courses are a great option for those who want a course without the added pressure of earning a credit. These are well researched courses from some of the world’s top universities, including Harvard, Stanford and Cambridge. Simply sign up for a course online, and go through the course material through their site.
Studying history is seen often as a pursuit of passion because it doesn't lead to a specific job like doctor or engineer. If ideas like these have made you question a pursuit of history, you may be pleased to know that history students have plenty of career options.
What are Alternative Ways to Learn History?
History does not have to be a formal pursuit at all, and if going to class or lessons isn’t your thing you can certainly learn history without it. In fact, many Indigenous cultures passed down history through generations through the oral traditions, proving that you don’t need a program or a course to be well versed in the past.
Immerse Yourself in a Museum
Museums are incredible, interactive ways to completely immerse yourself in the history of a place and its artifacts. Best of all, you will find plenty of museums close to home that explore the history of the town or community. Museums like the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the National History Museum in Ottawa, or the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg are excellent places to learn.
Do a Guided Historical Tour of A City
If you love to travel, you will find plenty of opportunities to learn history this way. Cities, particularly those with an ancient past, are living museums with history in every corner. In many cases, you can find a guide who will take you through some of the most fascinating aspects of a city’s history. Check out cities like London, Istanbul, Mexico City and Rome, for history tours.
Visit a Library
Why not go the old fashioned way and find a great history book from your local library? Pull a stack of books on a subject and have fun exploring the chapters you are interested in most.
Speak to an Elder
Family elders or community members have so many lived experiences to share about local or your own family’s history. Ask questions about the past from these valuable resources to get a first hand account of anything from the cold war to the 1960s or a crisis that happened around the world.
Teaching history is one of the most important components of education. As a teacher of history, you are passing down cultural knowledge from one generation to the next, helping to build a sense of collective identity and understanding about the world.
Is a History Tutor Worth it?
Getting a history tutor can be an excellent investment for a number of reasons. First of all, if you are looking to learn an area of history that isn’t taught in schools, such as the history of your own culture, a knowledgeable tutor is a perfect solution.
Another good reason to hire a history tutor is if you or your child is in a history course, and is having difficulty with the subject. History can be a lot of reading and analysis, and having someone to present information in a different format can make a big difference. A history tutor may also be able to help you or your child in different subject areas, such as Geography, English, and Mathematics. A tutor can provide feedback on research papers, help the student to practice exams and tests, or meet regularly to review new learning and concepts.
Hiring a tutor is easy thanks to Superprof Canada. You can use the site to search tutors in Canada based on the subject matter they teach. If you are looking for a specific area of history, such as Indigenous history, type the words in the search box and you will see lots of profiles of tutors you can hire for an affordable rate.
Why wait? Contact Superprof today!
You might be surprised to know that history is one of the most important disciplines one can learn, and that the skills acquired through a history program can be applied in a number of professions. So what can you do with a history degree other than be a “history buff”?
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