Describe a time when you changed an important opinion.

The opinion I changed was about public transport. I used to think buses and the metro were inconvenient, and that driving was always a better choice. I believed this because I wanted to save time and have more freedom.

I changed my mind last autumn, when I started a new job in another part of my city. At first, I drove to work every day. But the roads were busy, and I often spent nearly an hour in traffic. One day, a colleague suggested that I take the metro and then walk for ten minutes. I tried it the next morning.

The journey was much easier than I expected. The metro was clean, and I could sit and listen to music instead of watching the road. Now I think public transport is a good choice for many trips, especially during rush hour. I still drive when I need to carry things, but I don't think driving is always better. I felt a little surprised, but also happy that I had been willing to change my mind.

Honestly, I used to be convinced that public transport was a hassle and that driving was almost always the better option. I liked the sense of control, and I assumed I could get anywhere faster by car. That opinion mattered because I was spending a lot of time and money commuting.

I changed my mind last autumn, shortly after I started a new job on the other side of the city. For the first couple of weeks, I drove in each morning, but traffic was so heavy that a journey of about 12 kilometres could take close to an hour. I was arriving tense, and parking near the office was both difficult and expensive. One evening, a colleague, who lives near me, suggested taking the metro for most of the trip and walking the last ten minutes. I tried it the next day, partly because I was tired of sitting in traffic.

To my surprise, the route was straightforward. The station was a short walk from home, trains came every few minutes, and I could listen to a podcast instead of concentrating on the road. The trip took roughly forty minutes, but it felt less draining, and I could predict my arrival time much better.

Now I see public transport as a practical first choice for commuting, especially at busy times, rather than a last resort. I still use the car when I’m carrying something bulky or going somewhere poorly connected; if the metro didn’t cover most of my route, I’d probably feel differently. Changing my mind felt slightly embarrassing at first, because I’d been so certain, but mostly it was a relief. I’m glad I tested my assumption instead of defending it.