8 Mistakes I Made as a Student | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Learn from my college mistakes to avoid common pitfalls and make the most out of your college experience.

Key Insights

• 😫 Setting realistic goals and managing expectations can prevent burnout and promote productivity.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Addictions, such as energy drinks, may provide temporary satisfaction but can be detrimental to health and well-being in the long run.
• 🥺 Taking time to explore different opportunities and considering all options before making a decision can lead to better outcomes.
• 🥺 Embracing challenges and seeking help when needed can lead to personal growth and improved problem-solving skills.
• 👨‍🏫 Utilizing available resources, such as professor office hours and review sessions, can enhance academic performance.
• 🥺 Putting excessive pressure on finding a partner can lead to unhealthy behaviors and should be approached with a balanced mindset.
• 🧑‍🎓 Thorough research and understanding of financial options can help minimize unnecessary student loans.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the author's initial ambitious approach to college backfire?

The author started each semester with the intention of completing every reading assignment and homework, but quickly burned out and became overwhelmed. This unrealistic goal led to a lack of focus and hindered their performance in classes.

Q: What was the author's addiction during college and why was it a mistake?

The author became addicted to energy drinks due to their caffeine content and the entertainment they provided during study sessions. This addiction was detrimental to their health and could have been avoided by managing caffeine intake and finding healthier alternatives like coffee or tea.

Q: How did jumping the gun in selecting an internship impact the author's college experience?

The author received an immediate job offer from a company without going through the interview process. While they had a positive experience at that internship, they missed out on potentially better opportunities by not considering alternative options and accepting the offer prematurely.

Q: Why did the author drop their first programming class and how did it affect their college journey?

The author found their first programming class challenging and opted to switch to an easier one despite being capable of the more advanced course. This decision prevented them from developing problem-solving skills and wasted time and effort already invested in the class.

Q: What did the author learn about utilizing professor office hours and review sessions?

The author neglected to utilize professor office hours and review sessions in their early years of college. They later learned that these resources were valuable for receiving individualized help and acing tests. Utilizing these resources earlier would have improved their academic performance.

Q: How did the author's approach to finding companionship impact their mental wellbeing?

After a breakup in college, the author felt lonely and sought companionship in bars and nightclubs. This approach led to pressure and anxiety, ultimately contributing to a negative emotional state. The author eventually found a fulfilling relationship when they stopped putting pressure on themselves and focused on having fun and meeting like-minded individuals.

Q: What financial mistake did the author make regarding living on campus?

The author did not thoroughly research the costs of on-campus housing and assumed they had to pay for an entire semester upfront, leading them to take out unnecessary student loans. They later discovered a month-to-month payment option that would have allowed them to pay with their part-time job earnings.

Q: Why did the author regret not engaging in fun opportunities and independent learning projects?

The author prioritized professional development and neglected fun opportunities and independent learning projects. This lack of balance resulted in missed experiences and the potential for personal growth outside of academic and career-related activities.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Started each semester too ambitious with unrealistic goals, leading to burnout and lack of focus.

• Developed an addiction to energy drinks for the sake of entertainment, leading to health issues.

• Jumped the gun in selecting an internship without considering other opportunities.

• Dropped a programming class because it was challenging, missing out on valuable learning experiences.

• Failed to take advantage of professor office hours and review sessions, missing out on academic support.

• Sought companionship in the wrong places and put unnecessary pressure on finding a partner.

• Did not thoroughly research the costs of living on campus, leading to unnecessary student loans.

• Neglected fun opportunities and independent learning projects, relying too heavily on professional development.