That's my point. You say something akin to "Why should I learn calculus when I like trig - if all math is supposed to do is teach problem solving than why can't I just learn trig" this type of reasoning IMPLIES that everything you need to learn about problem solving can be learned through a single field of math, which is just ridiculous and my entire point.
I mean you straight up ask
It's not about being more valuable or less valuable, it;s about ALL OF IT having it's own value, and each topic giving you something different and unique.
And besides why should a student dictate what they learn simply because they like something. I definitely will not deny that enjoying what you learn will tend to lead to a deeper understanding of the material. But the thing is, in life we need to learn things we don't like as well. Half the time so we can move on and do the fun stuff.
You're original post just reads to me like " I don't like calculus, I should be able to just learn trig instead because I like it"
but Imagine if that line of thinking was used on EVERY subject, it'd sound sooo bonkers
"I only live inthe US, why should i learn global history, that's boring and doesn't apply to me. I never plan on leaving the US, I don't understand why it could be important to learn about other places"
"I like Biology the most and it applies to me, my body, and my pets, so why bother with Chemistry, Physics, Environmental sciences, when I'll never use those? I just want to learn Biology, obviously that is good enough since I'll never have an interest in any of those other subjects"
"Y'know I only like to read Shakespeare, so forget poetry, Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Huxley, Dickens, Twain, Faulkner, etc etc. I think I'll only read and analyze Shakespeare, that should teach me enough about English"
"I only want to draw comics, so I think I won't bother to learn about any other artform... I already know it's what I want to do in life, and all the other forms can't possibly matter"
I mean I'm embellishing here obviously, but your whole first post essentially reads as the math version of those examples to me. Not to mention Calculus comes up in A LOT of other math classes. I remember High school me learning Probably and stats thinking- hey I can see real world applications in this... and then HS me learning Calc thinking - "Ok this is really odd and conceptual, can't really see real world applications in this" and then taking higher level probably and stats in college and realizing at some point it's A LOT of multi-variable calculus... It's kinda like learning how to add before you multiply.. stuff builds on stuff.
Also just to clarify. I'm not using your struggle with calculus as a a declaration of your bias. I'm simply saying that because you struggled, it'd probably be beneficial to learn it. A lot of people think-why should i bother with this if I keep failing? And to me that is a really bad attitude to have toward your education. Challenge yourself and do the tough stuff. You may think struggling is overrated, but many employers and college application people like to see that you challenged yourself and overcame difficult classes. Failing and then giving up looks way way worse IMO.