By Fiona Ting Zi Ying (24S06A)

Forget statistics and Shakespeare for a moment—what if the real value of JC was to prepare us for the zombie apocalypse? With the rising popularity of K-dramas featuring gripping zombie apocalypse storylines—think “All of Us Are Dead” and “Kingdom”—or classics like “The Walking Dead”, it’s clear that the undead have been dominating our screens for a long time. 

It’s a quirky thought, but when the undead start roaming our streets, you’ll be surprised how handy your classes can be. Let’s break down how each subject could become a life-saving skill in this hypothetical, zombie-infested future.

Physical Education

This one’s a no-brainer (pun absolutely intended). All those laps around the stadium track and football games are about to pay off. Stamina and agility will be your best friends when it comes to outrunning zombies. CARDIO IS KEY. Remember, you don’t need to be the fastest runner—just faster than the person next to you.

Biology

Ah, biology, where we learn that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but can they power up your survival skills? Understanding the biology of a zombie could give you a critical advantage. 

Knowing about viruses, the human body, and perhaps even the decomposition process will help you understand your enemy and possibly how to stop them. Also, those dissection skills might come in handy for… let’s not go there.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the art of understanding how substances interact, and it’s invaluable for making everything from Molotov cocktails to purifying water. Ever mixed magnesium and hydrochloric acid? 

Now, imagine scaling that up by creating homemade explosives to defend your camp. In K-dramas like “Kingdom,” where ancient remedies and poisons play a role, a good grasp of chemistry can be life-saving.

Physics

Your understanding of physics is critical when reinforcing structures or determining how much force is needed to barricade a door effectively against a horde. Plus, principles of electricity could help you rig up a zombie-proof security system. 

Gravity is your friend—especially when dropping heavy objects on zombies from a second-story window or setting an ancient trap à la Ju Ji Hoon.

History

Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it, right? Lessons on historic battles and guerrilla tactics can inspire effective strategies against hordes of the undead. Knowing human history also helps you predict the behaviour of other survivors (which can be trickier than dealing with zombies, especially when it’s down to you or them).

Maths

So you thought you’d never use algebra or differentiation in real life? Well, try calculating the velocity of a fleeing zombie or determining how much time you have before a horde reaches your hideout using your trusty maths equations. 

When you’re rationing food supplies, calculating the trajectory you should throw your makeshift spear, or figuring out the safest route to your next shelter, maths becomes your silent guardian. 

Algebra and geometry help with building fortifications—angles and structuring are key to keeping zombies out. Stats class? That’s for predicting the probability of a zombie appearing based on time of day and weather conditions.

English Literature

Sure, analysing the symbolism in Saint Joan might not seem like a survival skill at first blush. But think about it—deciphering cryptic old texts is perfect practice for decoding the survival manuals you’ll find in abandoned bookstores. 

Additionally, those persuasive writing skills will be essential when you need to convince a group of stubborn survivors that, yes, heading into the zombie-infested city for supplies really is a bad idea. 

And let’s not forget, reciting epic poetry around the campfire can keep spirits high—even when supplies are low. Plus, those books you read? Perfect for long, guard-duty nights.

Art

Creativity is a survival skill. Camouflage (think Peeta Mellark from “The Hunger Games”), crafting weapons from scrap, or setting up a decoy—these all require an artistic touch. The psychological benefits of maintaining beauty and personal expression in a dark world can also boost morale. Who says the apocalypse can’t have a little flair?

Economics

Suddenly, those lessons on supply and demand will teach you all you need about trading a can of beans for someone’s last pair of socks. Economics teaches you the art of making everything count, especially when you’re bargaining with the grumpy guy who hoarded all the toilet paper during ZOMBIE-19. 

It’s all about resource management; think of it as your personal survival budget where spending too much could literally cost you an arm and a leg (watch out for biters!). 

What’s more, understanding inflation might finally help you when a chocolate bar becomes worth its weight in gold. So keep those econs notes—you’ll need them to outsmart the competition and dominate the apocalypse marketplace.

Home Economics

Congratulations, all those afternoons spent grudgingly baking muffins are about to become your zombie apocalypse superpowers. 

Cooking skills will keep you from poisoning yourself with mysterious cans of food, and those sewing lessons? Vital for mending clothes and stitching up zombie-bite-sized tears in your tent. 

Being able to stitch up a wound, tailor your clothing to suit the new world, or cook a nutritious meal from limited supplies can make your life a lot easier post-apocalypse.

Computing

I would tell you that technology is the future but tech bros taking this subject already know that (and make sure everyone else does too). Whether it’s rebooting an old server to find a survivor’s forum or rigging a security system to keep the zombies at bay, coding skills are as essential as a sturdy barricade. 

In a world overrun by zombies, hacking into old satellites to find safe zones or programming a drone for scouting missions could give you the upper edge. And let’s face it, hacking into a drone to scout for supplies is pretty sick (pun intended?).

General Paper

In the middle of an apocalypse, I don’t know what newspaper you will be reading and applying critical thinking skills on. But email me a seven-page essay (Arial, Font Size 12) or paste it in the comment section if you disagree.

While we may playfully consider the unlikely scenario of a zombie apocalypse, the diverse set of skills we acquire through our education can prepare us for various real-life challenges. Whether it’s evading a zombie or just acing your next exam, the line between surviving the undead and surviving student life might be thinner than you think.