History is an account of past events. It relies on facts with specific dates and times. It is interesting to learn about people and places, especially their journeys to where they are today.
Some people can be good at history yet they do not pay much attention. It results in poor grades yet a little effort or attention would produce the best performance. You might also spice your professional life by taking history as an elective to enhance your career or for fun.
The best history students take up some of the most lucrative jobs around the world. They become lawyers, administrators, writers, and analysts. Even on its own, history is one of the most interesting subjects to study. Get help with assignments from best homework help websites and leave you with more time to focus on the things you love in college.
It takes special traits to be a good historian. Here are signs that you understand history easily and are poised to take up some of these lucrative history-related jobs.
1. You have a good memory
History is about people and places. It will tell you about specific dates and places where events took place. For instance, it will mention the beginning of the American Civil War, the people involved, where they fought, and how the fights ended. You need to remember these dates, people, and places. If they come naturally, you will be good in history.
Historic events also involve a complex web. For instance, you have a country using spies and underhand tactics to win a war. A good historian can relate two or several unrelated events to understand outcomes.
History helps humanity to understand the future. By understanding history, you can predict what is likely to come if the conditions are similar. It takes memory to identify the minor details of a narrative that have huge implications on the world.
2. You like digging deeper into stories
History is different from journalism. Journalists report what they can see on the surface. They rarely dig deeper into the story unless they are working on documentaries. It explains why the best documentary writers are historians. They dig deeper into a story to get multiple perspectives and understand the events.
If you love the juice found inside a story, you are good at history. Historians are not satisfied with the fact that America, for instance, lost the Vietnam War. They want to know why and the people involved. History also gives you stories of people who played crucial parts in victories, without whom, such victories would never have been achieved.
Historians read multiple books and use other resource materials to dig for the truth. For instance, they can relate anthropological work with religious writing to find the truth. One side of the story never satisfies their curiosity.
3. You are fascinated by biographies and autobiographies
Biographies and autobiographies tell the story of people in a way no one else can. With this in mind, historians are looking for these books to enrich their knowledge. They want to hear what happened from the horse’s mouth instead of depending on second-hand stories.
A good history student will also read a biography or autobiography to collaborate on events that happened away from the person. Each autobiography writer will give the story from his point of view. As a historian, you combine these points of view to extract the truth. Historians have a sharp mind that can pick a lie from an expansive narrative.
4. You remember dates, hours, and locations
Details are important for historians. When did WWI begin and end? Where was it first fought and who was involved? Where was the greatest heavy-weight boxer born? Such details are extremely important. If they come to your mind naturally, you should consider studying history.
History papers require you to repeat these facts. Missing the date means that you are discussing a different event. It derails your discussion and will dilute the quality of your debate. Readers will also disagree with your assertions if these facts are wrong. A good historian has his facts right. Once you study law or are a journalist, these facts will make a lot of sense.
5. You love reading
Historians are avid readers. A lot of information cannot be found in one book. You have to collaborate information found in different sources to make sense of your story. Without reading, your history paper or work will be shallow. You also end up repeating the same ideas other people have given, leaving your discussion flat. It is the unique facts you gather from extensive reading that make you a better history student and a related professional.
History is anchored on facts and specific details. If you love these facts and are ready to search for more, you will cement your place as a historian. Historians are also curious to get more perspectives from a story to fully understand the facts involved.