Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Some things I learned as an undergraduate

I have always wanted to put up list like this to 1) reflect on how my undergraduate education has been good for my character development and 2) convey what I've learned to others (in particular, people who are younger). Below is an incomplete list of what I have learned in my almost-four years as an undergraduate in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

  1. Weather matters. Not saying you should choose where you go to school based on the weather, but especially if you go to school where there is a big campus you will probably walk around outside much more than you are used to. This is something to take into account when envisioning your life as a college student and when planning your wardrobe.
  2. Getting sick is much worse when you are responsible for making up class, homework, etc. and you might not have people to take care of you. Dress warmly, eat well, and exercise.
  3. Getting enough sleep is vital for productivity. Having so much homework that you cannot get enough sleep to do a good job or procrastinating such that you have to continually lose sleep to do assignments will degrade the quality of your work and thus the quality of your education.
  4. If you go somewhere rainy, galoshes (rain boots) are an excellent investment.
  5. If you go somewhere cold, invest in a good coat. It took me a long time to learn that wind resistance is orthogonal to warmth of coat. If you go to school in Boston, make sure your coat is not only the warmest in the store but also wind resistant.
  6. Acquiring a humidifier is also a good idea. Dry air compromises your immune system.
  7. Whether you go to the library is orthogonal to how productive you are. You shouldn't allow yourself to feel productive just because you got yourself to the library. (Doing this may be counterproductive.)
  8. That said, it is a good idea to figure out where you study best. This is different for different people--I prefer my room because it is quiet and there are no distractions; other people prefer the dining hall for its ambient noise.
  9. It is important to have an ergonomic setup. I got a neck strain from having a poor ergonomic setup with my computer monitor--I am still healing after 4+ months. Since then, I've invested in a better chair and a footrest.
  10. There will probably be many people with different goals in life and different ideas of the social hierarchy. Getting caught up with a a group of people who share a single set of goals (and corresponding idea of the social structure) might limit your character development.
  11. Don't assume people know what they are talking about just be because they sound like they do. The smartest people are often not the most confident ones.
  12. Having too much of an ego will get in the way, but having a healthy amount of ego is important.  Thinking you can't do things is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
  13. Paying attention in lecture might save you some time later (from reading the book, from being confused, etc.), since professors tend to ask questions related to their way of presenting the material.
  14. Get a credit card if you think you can be responsible about it. Having a good credit score will be useful for taking out loans later in life, and you can't have a good credit score if they don't know anything about you.

61 comments:

Philip Guo said...

very wise, ms. yang!

here's a similar article i wrote shortly before my own college graduation (shameless self-promotion):

Advice for MIT Undergraduates

Anonymous said...

Nice work, Jean. Will link from my page of advice.

NR

Efrain Waldroup said...

Its been of pretty importance for the students to think in accordance with the positive prospects mentioned above and these will hopefully help them to gain more of the ideas afterward. chemistry conversion help

EssayCorp said...

Very useful tips for the students.Thank you for posting this.
chemistry assignment help

steven said...

Many thanks for sharing this very diverse opinion post where each expert has no doubt shared his best knowledge on the topic. Have more success in your journey.
Buy Assignment Online Australia

Paul Martinez said...

There is a reliable writing service which will be helpful for all students. Consider marketing plan writing service when you stuck with paper or simply have no time to make your paper sparkle. That's a really good option to save time and get paper of high quality.

Andy Wilson said...

Nice blog. Avail professional academic solutions from the best assignment help Australia experts at Student Assignment Help. Our creative writers solve all your academic queries and assist you in assignment help.

Eaten Turner said...

Hello! I have noticed that a lot of people look for writing help. In such a situation, I decided to show you one awesome solution to this problem. I applied to one writing service in order to find help with the writing why stealing is wrong essay This service helped me a lot. I hope it can help you to write really good papers!

Aar Overseas said...

Study in Canada Consultants
Canada Education Consultants
Best Canada Education Consultants in Delhi
Immigration Services for Canada

Betty Bilton said...

Hello guys the theme of my essay is similar to the topic you have disscussed here, but to be fiar to myself I do not a specialist in that area, so I adressed to the essays agency and get quite poor essay, which I understod through checking at college discussion board service

MATLAB solutions said...

This is something very important to understand, I really appreciate your efforts to share such information. Here I am also sharing some information that might be useful for students looking for Assignment Help , in various subjects like, MATLAB Assignment Help , or Matlab Assignment Help Online.

SEO Personal said...

Scintillating information! I always check on your blog to keep myself updated. Your content is really good to be up to date.
Top 10 CBSE School Meerut
Website Developer in Meerut
Website Designing Company in Hapur
SEO Company Meerut

ajabgjab said...

Very useful tips for the students.Thank you for posting this.
How To Buy Domain By Godaddy

Masonethan said...


Searching for the online English assignment help? Then you are at the right place. Our team of experts is highly proficient in providing online help for an English assignment.

Emma Jackson said...

Goassignmenthelp is a team of leading professional writers for Assignment Help to students all around the world. Contact us today algebra homework help. Hire native seasoned experts at very affordable prices. We are the most reliable assignment helpers. We have gained our specialization after spending most of our time making write my essay for me ourselves perfect for the Best Essay Writing Services at a very affordable price. Hire native seasoned experts at very affordable prices. We are the most reliable assignment helpers. We have gained our specialization homework help online after spending most of our time making ourselves perfect

카지노사이트 said...

온라인카지노 Hi there, I check your blogs like every week. Your writing style is witty, keep up the good work!

카지노사이트 said...

카지노 What's up friends, how is the whole thing, and what you want to say on the topic of this post,
in my view its truly remarkable for me.

토토 said...

토토 If you ever see a beautiful post, it is important to praise it and I am doing the same, in fact, your post is very beautiful, the content written in it is good.

토토 said...

토토 hi. Please visit our interesting website.

Anonymous said...

Gmail not receiving emails
Yahoo not sending emails
Hotmail login account
Recover deleted Facebook account
recover gmail
create email without phone number
create Yahoo Account
How do I log in to my Gmail

Shira said...

Global Assignment Expert offers you, Assignment writing help from highly experienced and efficient experts. It cordially invites you to share your idea of an assignment and get the implementation in your hand. Global Assignment Expert is ready to provide your assignment within the given time. The company assures you plagiarism-free work with cent percent proficiency and punctuality.The company helps you with all kinds of writings, from assignments to case studies. Projects of subject variations or pattern variations are equally given attention to UK Assignment Help,Dissertation Assignment Help,Nursing Assignment Help,Computer Assignment Help,Perdisco Assignment Help and Essay Writing Help Online.

roulettesitetop said...

These are truly wonderful ideas in regarding blogging.
You have touched some pleasant things here 룰렛

roulettesitetop said...

I will recommend your website to everyone. You have a very good gloss. Write more high-quality articles. 룰렛

casinosite777.info said...

It's really great. Thank you for providing a quality article. There is something you might be interested in. 바카라사이트

baccaratsite.info said...

Thanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. I m happy I found this blog. Thank you for sharing with us,I too always learn something new from your post. 카지노

casinosite.zone said...

That completely turned the bubble mouse blast game around, and he was on the front foot once again. 카지노사이트

sportstototopcom said...

Excellent Blog! I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post.
스포츠토토

Yakshita said...

Thank you for posting such a great article! It contains wonderful and helpful posts. Keep up the good work

ifhrms pay slip

Akshat Kr said...

Aligned with the latest technological trends, this blog is the best by far. Contact us for custom chatbot development information and better offers.

powerball365.info said...

Thanks for sharing this wise and mindful content. 파워볼 하는법

totosite365.info said...

really like reading through a post that can make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment! 스포츠토토


casino online said...

Hello, I read the post well. casino online It's a really interesting topic and it has helped me a lot. In fact, I also run a website with similar content to your posting. Please visit once


casinositetop.com said...

This web site truly has all the information. 카지노

casinositehot.com said...

A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. 카지노사이트

casinositewikicom said...

Thanks for this vital information through your website. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. 카지노사이트

Anonymous said...

NICE JOB Master Thesis

roulettesitetop said...

You made some great points and I am grateful for for your information! Take care! 카지노사이트

Alex said...

how to recover suspended Facebook account
pc restarts when playing games
facebook account suspended
how to recover permanently deleted messages on messenger
disabled Facebook account

Gaurav said...

cancer spirit animal A panther and a hawk are the two true spirit animals for the Cancer Zodiac Sign. Cancer (June 21st to July 22nd).

Alex said...

instagram login
login instagram
Instagram login error
Instagram login

james said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Reel N Realtor said...

Are you looking for buy cheap land or home in south Florida? We have best property consultant and REAL ESTATE EXPERTS who help your home on best location of south Florida. We are in this industry since 10years.

Ziyyara Edutech said...


As you know, many years ago the internet was not as good as it is today. So whenever a student has to prepare assignments, he first takes the help of the internet so that he can easily get the help of management assignments.

If you want to get Online Assignment Help then you can take an online tutoring class from Ziyyara. Because it has many tutors who have many years of experience. So book a free demo today.
For Demo! Contact us on +91 9654271931.
Get Free Demo:- https://ziyyara.com/ad-contact

TechDost Services said...

Anand Hospital is the Multi Speciality & Cancer Specialist Hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India that extensively provides all sorts of medical, surgical & surgical therapies to those having cancers.

Our team is a complete suite of Cancer Specialists in Meerut that uses the newest and up-to-date technologies and mechanics to diagnose and detect cancer, and help out patients in framing their medical and surgical treatment action plans.

Anand Hospital is the best Cancer Specialist Hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Their Oncology Department provides palliative care by a specialized team of doctors, counselors, and nurses for medical, surgical, and radiation oncology which makes it the best cancer hospital in Meerut.

Cancer Specialist Hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh - Anand Hospital

TechDost Services said...

Awesome Blog Post!

I too have a blog that is based on HealthCare. Kindly check it out. Here’s a short intro about it: -

Anand Hospital is the leading center of Neurology Hospital in Uttar Pradesh. They have the best neurologist in Meerut. The neurology department here is extensively known for the treatment of Brain Disorders, Nervous System Disorders, and Spinal Cord. Their specialists provide quality treatment in all aspects of serious neurological issues.

Anand Hospital is the best neurology hospital in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh to have a fully grown equipped Institute of Neurotechnology. It is the only hospital in the city to have a Neuro Navigation Technology for Image-Guided Tumor. The institute is widely encouraged by putative neurologists across India and outside the country.

Best Neurologist in Meerut - Neurology Hospital in Uttar Pradesh - Anand Hospital

TechDost Services said...

Awesome Blog Post!

I too have a blog that is based on HealthCare. Kindly check it out. Here’s a short intro about it: -

Anand Hospital Meerut is the finest Cardiology Hospital in Uttar Pradesh. It has some of the best cardiologist in Meerut. The hospital offers services for cardiac and vascular diseases by following international standards. A cardiac emergency like heart attack, stroke, clot, angiography, and heart failure are given immediate response and utmost importance which makes this hospital at the top in terms of cardiac care.

Best Cardiologist in Meerut - Anand Hospital

TechDost Services said...

Awesome Blog Post!

I too have a blog that is based on Digital Marketing. Kindly check it out. Here’s a short intro about it: -

Having 4+ years of excellence and successfully served 1800+ clients since 2017 so far, Techdost Services Pvt Ltd is a top Digital Marketing Consultant offering SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Email marketing, and other marketing services.

Techdost.com is a leading digital marketing consultant in India that works on a result-oriented approach and aims at providing customer satisfaction by delivering the best possible results.

Digital Marketing Consultant in India

Steven Smith said...

The Internet has become the leader for writing assignments for students. Now, it is easy to buy a good assignment from the internet until the assignment is delivered. There are a lot of providers for assignment writing help. Your assignment can be done well and accurately when you hire the services of the best assignment helper from Instant australian assignment help.

HearSoundHearing said...

This was such nice content, if you are looking for Hearing Aids services, HearSoundHearing is the right stop for you. Check out the site for more info.

Bon Leofen said...

hi I am Bon Leofen and I am a student let me share with you one amazing aspect of economics homework help the website expert is always keeping us informed about the progress of our assignments without our permission they never include or exclude anything our assignments are entirely under our control.

Steven Smith said...

In today's fast-paced educational landscape, students face numerous challenges when it comes to managing their academic assignments. Whether it's the pressure of meeting tight deadlines, grappling with complex topics, or juggling multiple subjects, many students find themselves in need of assistance. That's where online assignment help services come to the rescue.

online tuition classes said...

In today's digital age, online classes for kids have become an increasingly popular and convenient way to enhance their education and skills. With the advancement of technology, children now have access to a wide range of educational resources and interactive platforms that can be accessed from the comfort of their own homes.

jhon carry said...

Thank you for sharing this informative blog with us. Your blog is very useful for us. If you are a student in India and looking different countries for higher education. Our Overseas education consultants play a pivotal role in guiding and assisting students who aspire to pursue higher education abroad. These dedicated professionals serve as expert navigators in the complex and often overwhelming world of international education. Their primary mission is to facilitate the dreams and ambitions of countless students by offering comprehensive support and guidance throughout the entire process of studying abroad.


online tuition classes said...

If you're passionate about finance and aspire to excel in the industry, the CFA program can be a crucial step in achieving your career goals. So, if you're ready to take the plunge into the world of finance and investments, start by understanding the CFA course fees in India and chart your path to success.

casinositeone.JDS said...

Your website is useful.

casinosite777top.JDS said...

Many thanks for sharing. Feel free to visit my website;

online tuition classes said...

Understanding the PSLE AL Score is crucial for students and parents, as it determines eligibility for secondary school placement. The finer grading system aims to recognize the individual strengths of students and reduce excessive competition.

Steven Smith said...

Get Assignment Help Melbourne
assistance if you face any problems related to assignment writing.

AspireBig said...

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

australia education consultants in delhi

Myassignmentpro said...

Struggling with academic tasks? Let MyAssignmentPro ease your burden! We specialize in providing expert assistance to help you excel. Whether it’s essays, reports, or research papers, our dedicated team is here to "Make My Assignment" stress-free and efficient. With quality content, timely delivery, and personalized support, we ensure your success. Trust MyAssignmentPro to turn your academic challenges into achievements today!

Alice Christian said...

Really enjoyed reading your post! It's so relatable and insightful—definitely brought back memories of my own undergraduate days. Your experiences and lessons are shared so thoughtfully. Keep up the great work! abogado de accidentes de motocicleta virginia