Why Class XI Students Should Take Economics Seriously (And How to Do It Right)

Economics is not just a subject—it’s a way of thinking.

Many students think of Economics as a theoretical subject filled with jargon, but let me break this myth for you: Economics is as logical and systematic as any science subject. In fact, if you enjoy subjects like Physics or Maths, you might find Economics surprisingly satisfying. It’s no wonder that Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Samuelson once said, “Economics has never been a science – and it is even less now than a science.” Yet, ironically, it demands the same logic and reasoning skills that science subjects do.

Why Science Students Should Consider Economics

Economics offers a wide variety of career opportunities: policymaking, business analytics, finance, consultancy, and even entrepreneurship. It opens doors to roles where real-world impact meets analytical thinking. For science students looking to diversify without sacrificing intellectual challenge, Economics is a golden path.

But here’s the catch: the way Economics is taught at Class XI and XII is often diluted. CBSE is making efforts to include more application-based questions, but we’re still far from the analytical rigor expected at the undergraduate level.

The Maths Disconnect

One major gap is the absence of Mathematics in the Class XI–XII curriculum. Students breeze through concepts like Marginal Cost, Elasticity, and Production Functions without the support of graphs or calculus. But once you enter an Honours course after Class XII, you’re suddenly expected to solve those same concepts using functions, derivatives, and statistical models.

Imagine being taught how to drive a car in theory—and then being asked to race in Formula One. That’s the transition students face.

If you’re taking Applied Mathematics, congratulations! You’ll already see how Economics overlaps with functions, graphs, derivatives, and data interpretation. For others, don’t worry—just start building your math foundation early.

How to Actually Study Economics (and Enjoy It)

1. Understand, Don’t Memorize: Real economics isn’t about mugging up definitions. It’s about understanding behavior, choices, and trade-offs. Think of it as psychology meets logic.
2. Use Real-World Examples: Wondering how supply and demand work? Look at oil prices, gold prices, or why tomatoes suddenly cost a fortune during the rainy season.

For instance, Russia and Middle Eastern countries sell oil globally. Countries like India, dependent on oil imports, pay a huge bill. The dollars they pay often get reinvested into assets like gold. So when oil exporters sell gold, global gold supply increases and prices fall. But in India, we often assume gold prices rise due to the wedding season. See how Economics helps break myths?

3. Read Financial Newspapers: Try reading the Economic Times, Business Standard, or Mint for just 10 minutes a day. Over time, you’ll naturally begin connecting classroom concepts with real-world trends.
4. Strengthen Graphical Understanding: Learn the language of curves—concave, convex, parabolic, and most importantly, slopes. Economics without graphs is like cricket without a scoreboard.

Choosing the Right Economics Teacher (Without Falling for the Trap)

Let’s be honest: many teachers begin with chapters like Consumer Equilibrium or Demand just to impress students in demo classes. Others jump directly to topics like Measures of Central Tendency in Statistics, skipping foundational ideas like sampling or data collection.

And students? They score well, so they assume all is well. But later, especially in college, the gap becomes painfully obvious.

Here’s a pro tip: don’t choose a teacher just because their demo class seemed easy or flashy. Choose one who starts from the basics and explains why something works, not just how to memorize it.

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” – Albert Einstein

The Rise (and Pitfalls) of EdTech

Post-COVID, blackboards gave way to smartboards. Teaching became a race of attractive PowerPoints and YouTube videos. Teachers with flashy animations sometimes overshadow those with strong foundations. Sadly, good teaching is now often judged by graphics, not by content.

Soon, AI may teach students, and knowledgeable teachers may find their classrooms empty—not because they aren’t good, but because they aren’t ‘glamorous’ enough. That’s the new reality, but students must choose substance over style.

Final Advice for Students

• Don’t go by demos.
• Don’t fall for attractive PPTs.
• Do look for teachers who explain concepts from the ground up.
• Relate Economics to your daily life.
• Practice competency-based questions and graphical reasoning.

If you’re serious about understanding the world, mastering Economics is like getting the user manual for how decisions are made in business, government, and even in your own life.

So next time you hear “price goes up, demand falls,” don’t just nod—ask why, think how, and connect it to what’s happening in the world today.

Because that’s what real Economics is all about.