What non-academic advice would you give to your younger self?

[mr. tree]

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I am wanting to state that I wish I fluent in a foreign language but I was wondering if this would be consider "academic" any thoughts?

 

[acslater99]

Pretty sure language is considered academic.

I assume the question is referring to something along the lines of jobs, volunteering (clinical/non clinical), general life situations..

 

[efle]

Avoid doing a gap year as a clinical research coordinator. Hella boring.

 

[RTC19]

I second that learning a language would be considered academic. Think about advice you would give to a younger brother or sister for their life to go smoother.

Mine would be: It's totally okay if things don't go totally as planned! Pick yourself back up, figure out how you can improve, and try again. Things aren't going 100% as planned for anyone else in the world either.

 

[ebno]

If you think drinking a bottle of Absolut is a good idea you're probably drunk enough.
Okay but in all seriousness, to answer your question I'd say that yes, learning languages is probably academic but saying you wish you had exposed yourself to other cultures, done volunteering abroad, etc. probably isn't. There's a lot you can tie into that too.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Mine would be: don't screw things up when the right girl comes along

 

[3toedsloth]

I second that learning a language would be considered academic. Think about advice you would give to a younger brother or sister for their life to go smoother.

Mine would be: It's totally okay if things don't go totally as planned! Pick yourself back up, figure out how you can improve, and try again. Things aren't going 100% as planned for anyone else in the world either.

If you do it right, language is more social than academic!

I think I'd tell my younger self to:
- Live and work abroad in a unique country with a cool language (ahem, learn a new language by meeting people).
- Take a 'round the world backpacking trip for a whole year or more.
- Not fight with my mom.

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Don’t s**t where you eat. (Don’t date people at work. Does not end well.)

 

[IMGASMD]

Don’t s**t where you eat. (Don’t date people at work. Does not end well.)

Plenty of those stories floating around any hospitals. Doctors + nurses are sometimes better than doctors + doctors and that’s sometimes better than co-resident + co-resident.....

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Plenty of those stories floating around any hospitals. Doctors + nurses are sometimes better than doctors + doctors and that’s sometimes better than co-resident + co-resident.....

Even doctor and nurse is dangerous if goes south and that nurse decides they hate you (seen that). But it’s better than immediate coworkers— resident and resident, resident/attending, resident/student, attending/student. (Seen all those too.) Anytime there is an imbalance of power, there is a chance for massive trouble; even if it doesn’t come from your own relationship and its fallout, it could come from jealous coworkers etc. etc. Just fire up tinder and have at it. Not worth the risk.

 

[DokterMom]

Discover who you really are, then be that person. Own your own personal quirks with a sense of humor, and so long as they're not hurting others, just smile and agree when they're mentioned.

Don't look for reasons to be unhappy or hurt or get annoyed -- get over it. Don't let your pride stand in the way of your happiness.

And finally, decide what you would do if [insert obstacle here] weren't a problem. Then do that.

 

[TheDappGoesWild]

Don't worry so much

 

[Lucca]

do more plays
fricking practice your instrument, dude

 

[OdysseanUnderdog]

Discover who you really are, then be that person. Own your own personal quirks with a sense of humor, and so long as they're not hurting others, just smile and agree when they're mentioned.

Don't look for reasons to be unhappy or hurt or get annoyed -- get over it. Don't let your pride stand in the way of your happiness.

And finally, decide what you would do if [insert obstacle here] weren't a problem. Then do that.

This.

To that I'd add the following: You are what you love. Don't expect anyone else to love you until you love yourself. Don't find yourself, create yourself. Criticize by creating. Remember that everyone you meet is fighting a difficult battle, usually with themselves; be kind accordingly. Every strength can be be a weakness, and every weakness, a strength. Things only harm you if you think they harm you. Every obstacle can be an opportunity in disguise if you make it so.

 

[puahate]

have s**

 

[Lucca]

Avoid doing a gap year as a clinical research coordinator. Hella boring.

what would you do instead

 

[DrRiker]

Broadly speaking: leave your comfort zone, challenge your beliefs. I think this is a natural part of maturing, but maybe it would've been nice to do this more during the teenage years.

 

[Medic741]

Don't go to medical school, it's not worth it.

 

[efle]

what would you do instead

Either no gap year or a fun gap year like english fulbright in europe

 

[Fishy fish]

Don't go to medical school, it's not worth it.

loool! You know you can always drop out!

 

[theKingLT]

I am wanting to state that I wish I fluent in a foreign language but I was wondering if this would be consider "academic" any thoughts?

IMO calling language learning academic is like calling your P.E. class in high school academic. It's something that our school system has forced into being "academic". Analyzing literature, cinema, etc. In a foreign language is academic just like it is to do that stuff in your native tongue. Even learning grammar (ie. This is a direct object, verb, etc.) is a form of academic linguistics, but simply learning how to use a language (especially listening/speaking) is more of a skillset developed through language exposure. Is this for a secondary essay or something?

 

[stickgirl390]

As a former teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of actually giving this advice: don’t be in a committed relationship in high school!!

 

[Lucca]

Either no gap year or a fun gap year like english fulbright in europe

europe 10/10 can recommend

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

I dated a professor once. But I’m nontraditional. Never had a class with this professor though so it’s all good.

 

[Cheenghee Koh]

These are the advises I will give to the younger me in 20s.

1. Play harder. Life is way more than working.
2. Enjoy more the presence, here, and now. Life is not all about planning. It is OK to let go plans from time to time. It is OK to even not have any plan from time to time, and let the spontaneous spirits lead the way.
3. Keep in mind that messiness is the nature of human life. Things get "disordered" by their nature. Don't try to be on top of everything single thing. It will just make you look like a control freak.
4. It is OK to be imperfect. It is not the end of the world.
5. Relax, Relax, and Relax.
6. It is OK to wonder around for some time, before putting 120% commitments in one profession. Yes, it is nice to be focused, and keep marching toward your goals you set from high school. However, it will be even nicer if you can enjoy what you see, what you hear, and what you experience during the journey. You can stop for a little while, and take your time to explore different paths, give them a shot, to see how they go, before returning to your original path. You may get some new ideas, and may see what you have been seeing in a new light. You may get lost? No worries, you will eventually get back here with new stories, if this path is right for you. You may even find a new path you never thought of before. Remember, life is not a race. There is no prize for you to reach your goals before others do. In fact, there are some hidden prices you have to pay by doing so - you never know what else your life can look like, your potentiality.
7. Spend more time with your family and friends. They will be the one who stay by your dying bed, not your colleagues or co-workers.
8. Do more self care.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Don't waste so much time on chasing ass. Just study, and make that money.

Highschool self- buy silver at 5.00, sell when it hits 25.