Banks want the co-signer as a safety precaution, because you have yet to prove your ability to handle credit. But, it will help build your credit rating - as long as you and your parents make sure that the loan is repaid in a timely manner.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.