Crighton related later in his life that it was this challenge which made him change from his intended career in classics, and switch to mathematics and physics for his main school subjects over his final two years at secondary school.
Crighton mamaya na may kaugnayan sa kanyang buhay na ito ay ang hamon na kung saan ginawa niya baguhin mula sa kanyang hinahangad na karera sa Classics, at lumipat sa matematika at physics para sa kanyang mga pangunahing paaralan paksa sa kanyang huling dalawang taon sa sekundaryong paaralan.