It's funny that one of the things that made you special at Harvard was being a KZreadr and that one of the things that makes you special on KZread is being a Harvard grad.

@henryp218

7 жыл бұрын

that's called playing on your strength, good for her.

@kevinjin8321

7 жыл бұрын

And it's called hitting two birds with one stone.

@andresenecal6181

7 жыл бұрын

cmon man why'd you have to bring a cliché into it

@antjuanfinch1461

7 жыл бұрын

Synergy

@adamkillian8158

7 жыл бұрын

If you don't get the joke... Probably appropriate to leave it be

I have learned in college that the only person that is TRULY proud of you is yourself.

@mavikanzuonkwelle366

7 жыл бұрын

So your mom isn't proud of you? Dad? Sibling(s)? Grandma(s)? Grandpa(s)? Aunt(s)? Uncle(s)? Friend(s)???

@danceluvr30

7 жыл бұрын

yeah I guess... but not like I do because I knew what I struggled through to get where I am today.

@jiminsuga5803

6 жыл бұрын

Same.

@idontcaretbh2999

6 жыл бұрын

MarvelousMavika for some people, no. I didn't get that support growing up so I learned to be proud of what I'm capable of (not arrogant, but self-assured).

@JasonVaysberg

6 жыл бұрын

@mavika nope, just got me! And that's okay.

This was so incredibly insightful! I think a lot of ambitious kids develop the warped view of the world that you're speaking of: If I get into school A, if I get internship B, if I move to place C, I will live life happily forever after. If I don't, I'm destined to a bland life of mediocrity. Hearing from a Harvard alum that life marches on even if you're at a school as wonderful as Harvard will undoubtedly alleviate a lot of stress that your viewers are probably feeling. Awesome!

@gillbeatsisback01

7 жыл бұрын

Michael Martinez people don't realize that thinking like this wheter or not they succed ,is what makes them mediocre

@MMmm-bg9li

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! This is so accurate and well put

@Xilaas

6 жыл бұрын

Michael Martinez Very well said!

@prettysteeve47

6 жыл бұрын

Michael : I have worked with a lot of self made millionaires that did not attend Harvard and not even finish college or even high school but have gone on to accomplish amazing financial success.

This should be obvious to anyone who's ever typed in "Heaven" to Google Maps. Not the same coordinates. Not the same place.

@jacobgoldberg5735

7 жыл бұрын

YesReneau This was a really awesome video and it shows just how brave of a person you are.

@randomperson7532

7 жыл бұрын

YesReneau Lol

@saujanyaasurendran1333

7 жыл бұрын

Good video and very understandable. And tbh I do have this whole sterotype thing about "Harvard", because it is HARVARD. Does anyone understand what i mean?

@zb9395

7 жыл бұрын

This was wonderful! High school made me feel the same way. I fought very hard to go to a fancy school to get my IB Diploma. It felt like the only thing which would make my life complete, and my boyfriend was headed there too. Ended up dropping grades and ruining my last two years of high school--but in the end, the experience did shift my perspective and it was worth the lesson. I may always change my mind about what I want in life, but I'll always remember that the only thing that can get me out of a bad situation is ME.

@eleonoramustafaeva1303

7 жыл бұрын

Well, I don't feel as bad about going to a tiny sucky university right now.

"Sometimes it gets getting exactly what you've always wanted, to know that it can't give you exactly what you need" so cool

You should do a video about your high school life, such as the stress and no sleep, etc.

@RozwayRegmi

7 жыл бұрын

Cole yes she should

@urubaandaleeb6171

7 жыл бұрын

Cole yes she should

@doga4069

7 жыл бұрын

pleaseeee

@elenaanvelo461

7 жыл бұрын

when u get to college you won't see the point in a video about stress and insomnia in high school

@sara_4228

6 жыл бұрын

YES PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ON THIS

I just finished my freshman year at Yale and my findings were very similar. I definitely felt like a lot of people (while friendly) were only ever focused on their own success.

@emmapaquin3504

7 жыл бұрын

This makes me sad and I hope you have friends who aren't like this that look out for you. One of the most important things I learned in college is how to cultivate a community that supports each other's work. Being there for others always pays off in my experience- these shifty-eyed people are probably hurting their future selves and they don't even know it. Course my college was not fancy and maybe in the Ivy Leagues people don't need support networks to be successful. But it does seem like success doesn't mean much if no one is there to enjoy it with you.

@CheeseDBD

6 жыл бұрын

MysticOceanDollies let me test your knowledge, who is the president of the united states?

@justinrpan

6 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the real world

@Niphredyl

5 жыл бұрын

Maybe the proprtions are different, but it's the same for every university, especially where you have classes w comparative features, critical sessions, so the students have to compete to be the best essay-writer, artist whatever. I think it's very common, but must more exaggerated there.

@lamaripiazza5226

2 жыл бұрын

Well duh of course they are

This is a much simpler version of what you described, but I think materialism works the same way. You fantasize about owning something for so long and more often than not it loses its magic once you actually have it.

@DenizBadeAkkoyun

7 жыл бұрын

Amanda G Yeah

@ahujadeep

7 жыл бұрын

Amanda G p

@amanday3103

7 жыл бұрын

Deepak Ahuja What?

@michelleh.5225

7 жыл бұрын

yeah, I think that's the core of it. the principle behind the desire for an elite school is basically materialist ideals

@TheMusicvideoVEVO

7 жыл бұрын

right!!!!

I just finished freshman year at Harvard, and yes, the shifty eye syndrome is definitely a problem here, and yes, students are super ambitious at a cost, but I learned that on the bright side, the environment makes you want to pull yourself up even more and better yourself, whereas I don't know if there's that motivation at other schools.

@dlynn101

4 жыл бұрын

@That One get out of your feelings. You know what was meant.

@unlockwithjsr

4 жыл бұрын

Lol

This is so close to me. all my life I wanted to live in America and go to college there and when I got to Fordham in Manhattan (my dream place in the entire world) I found out that it was definitely not what I had in my mind and it most definitely did not solve my problems. I ended up coming back to Italy and trying to solve my own issues surrounded by friends and family. I totally get it girl

@snowy3287

6 жыл бұрын

Chiara Cami you should come to Cali it's unique

@ggfinance297

5 жыл бұрын

me too same situation!

My "Harvard" was moving abroad at 18 years old to the opposite side of the world a week after I graduated highschool. I now know it doesn't matter how far I physically travel i will never leave myself and my experiences and my problems. I won't magically become someone else and it took that big move for me to realise that self improvement takes time and work.

I really wanted chips. Bought a bag of chips. Ate the chips. Got sore throat after that.

@yesreneau

7 жыл бұрын

This is too real. Except replace the word "chips" with "KFC", and you have my life.

@Aieshoo

6 жыл бұрын

Keely Hasim That made me cry. 😢

I had never heard anyone talk so sincerely about universities i also think that it is very common nowadays to idealise certain places as if they were perfect it's kinda sad because you start thinking how much better your life would be if you stayed there instead of realizing how lucky you are to be where you are at the moment

I've always wanted to go to Oxford, so when I got rejected last year, I was devastated. Every single problems I faced at the beginning of my freshman year, I thought I had them because I was not studying at the uni of my dream, and that everything would be different if I was at Oxford... I'm slowly starting to realise that it's not a magic potion that would have solved everything, and that most of all I deserve happiness where I am now even if it was not part of my plan! I love how you adressed the subject in your video :)

@notafurry5965

6 жыл бұрын

zemarie38 The worst students at Oxford are the Summa Cum Laude so don’t feel bad because that’s only the top 5 percent of the whole district

Well, this was an eye opener.

it is heaven for the asian parent

This video was amazing I've been watching your videos for awhile now, and I rarely comment but I feel like I should for this one. I started high school this year and almost as far as I can remember I've wanted to get into Harvard not only because of how "amazing" it was but because I wanted to get away from my small bubble in Ohio. I had a plan but when I got to my school it wasn't what I thought it was gonna be and my whole plan kind of fell apart. Now on my last day of school, I realize that all my problems would not be fixed with Harvard with high school or even with my master plan. I have to fix them first, thanks for this video btw you really are my role model. Just a message from a sometimes silent sub xoxo

@JMontage

7 жыл бұрын

so cool to hear your story, glad to hear you're starting to find peace from within and from being adaptable with your future. thanks for sharing!

Shifty eye syndrome love it... same thing at MIT and in med school lol

@unlockwithjsr

4 жыл бұрын

What does the shifty eye syndrome mean?

Amazing video. I think I really needed to hear this. I've found myself looking to other things, materialistic urges, relationships, etc for happiness or the "cure all solution", but I've realized that the solution is within me not anything else. Love your videos, keep it up!!

I haven't watched one of these in quite a while. But I must say, I like your message, and have enjoyed your mojo. I went to grad school at Harvard and liked it. I was really impressed with many of the Ivies who were with me, but I see exactly what you mean about how they won't pick you up, in large part because they are too busy advancing themselves. Success won't make them happier. My daughter went to U Cambridge and I daresay it seemed like a more collegial place, where the students were both less self-obsessed and more secure with their identities. It too was her dream school, her absolute first choice and it largely lived up to her expectations, however brutal the work load was. I wonder if you ever compared notes with anyone from Oxbridge. Anyway, best of luck.

yesyesyes. means a lot to hear another grad share this. I felt like I was the "only one" back in undergrad feeling like this, esp. re: the shifty eye. really enjoy watching your videos and how your channel has grown over the years

On the flip side, there are some things in life that you fantasize about and they give you more than you think like how much family members care about u. I think my dream SAT score would end all my problems even though I kind of understand that this is as you said not true. I really understand what you went through in your high school(maybe u didn't speak abt that in this video but I switched a couple of your vids in the past hour so basically this comment is everything I want to say about all of ur vids I have watched before) cause I started putting myself in that same position of sacrificing my social life for better grades but so far I do not regret it. I wanted to thank you so much for all of ur amazing videos. they help me get a lot of insight(I am applying to colleges this year). I feel like I should tell you this: You are a great person!

You're such a kind, intelligent person and I love watching your videos. but i get really sad too because I'm not good enough to get into ivy league, im too selfish, anxious and depressed and I'm mediocre at everything. I'm just sad and I need help but I also feel so stupid because there are people who have had horrible situations but still get into amazing schools and overcome but I'm just sad and tired.

@strayfox1019

5 жыл бұрын

Sending some positive energy to you. You should know that the only one who can help you is yourself. You just need a start-up, everything is in your hands. Much love!

This was the first video that I saw from your channel after having a sudden feeling of curiosity to know about Harvard and its students. You got me hooked on your other videos and for that reason I have subscribed to your channel. Keep the genuine, good content coming and don't stop doing it! You have a lot of potential to do great things.

I am from Syria and my dream is to study at Harvard and I will

@mavikanzuonkwelle366

7 жыл бұрын

Great spirit! Wish you the best!

@makaylamoore8831

6 жыл бұрын

I believe in you! Achieve your dreams!!

@janethockey9070

5 жыл бұрын

German university are great second options

@journeybeyondthesea

5 жыл бұрын

Abdalrahman arrob MashaAllah brother you can do it! 💕

@beautydiy6484

5 жыл бұрын

Good luck

“sometimes it takes getting exactly what you always wanted to know that it can't give you exactly what you need“ very powerful and true words ! love the message! For me, making a gap year after I finished school had this kind of “problem solving“ expertation. And while I was on the other side of the world I realised the same thing. Travelling definetly gave me a lot of amazing life experience but in a completely different way that i thought it would. Love your channel and the content of your videos! Greetings from Munich :)

I have gone through/am going through a lot of what you talked about in this video, but for me it wasn't the school in particular. I thought that college in general would be the end all be all. And as you pointed out, I've become way more introspective and focused on bettering myself from within. Also that shifty eye idea is so interesting! I've never heard anyone point that out before but it's very apparent at my college too. Trying my best to improve the quality of all my relationships, even if that means cutting out some less important ones. Great video as always!

I've only just finished my freshman year at Harvard, so I will probably get to see a lot more of what you mean in the coming years. I haven't had too many encounters with people like that, but my roommate definitely fits the bill with what you describe. Also, I'm not gonna lie, I am definitely guilty of that behavior when I get stressed in lieu of upcoming tests. I've since recognized it and am trying to better myself :) I hope I walk away from Harvard a better person and am excited to see how else I change throughout the years! I love these retrospective reflection type videos so please continue them, I appreciate your wisdom and advice (don't know too many upperclassmen sadly)

can you do a video about your high school life? include your reaction into getting accepted into Harvard, how you prepared throughout your 4 years, what kind of extracurricular activities you did, your parents take on your decision, your friends' reactions, etc.

@ladybug-uggs8548

6 жыл бұрын

friedchicken she has a bit more about her reaction in the video how I got into Harvard Have a wonderful day!

Irrelevant but I love your filming background

This is my favourite video of you YesReneau! Thanks for addressing this, especially for us who will never get the opportunity to see it for ourselves.

Thank you for sharing. I found your story very relatable. Yes, I placed being a "physician-scientist" on a pedestal and struggled with status/social anxiety as well. I've chased the path towards an MD, but the process of it made me anxious, depressed, and chronically chasing after this esoteric vision of what would make my life complete. Ironically, the reality is that it's not worth losing one's well-being over it.

Watching this because I constantly think about college 😬

Goes to hardvard for 4 years. Talks about it for 40 years.

@notafurry5965

6 жыл бұрын

soonsims If you talked about it for all of those 4 years Each day would only be 2.4 hours in Harvard

@Aieshoo

6 жыл бұрын

soonsims I would be too if I got into Harvard.

Veryyyy useful to watch, I had exactly the same kind of mindset before getting into the uni I wanted only to realise that it does not give me all I want. I thought I was done with this kind of thinking but guess what I just caught myself having the same thoughts about an internship that I really want to get. The fact that things don't go as planned doesn't mean you are doomed and there is no way out haha. Thanks for your video :)

This was a wonderful video to watch and yes I relate so much! I always thought that becoming a "skilled" violinist would solve all of my problems and that my family would at least stop and listen for once at what I had spent so much time and effort trying to do. I am entirely self-taught with only a mediocre at best public high school music education and it's much more difficult than I expected. I knew mastering an instrument wouldn't be easy but no one had warned me it would be this difficult. You see professionals playing the most difficult pieces ever written with no difficulty whatsoever and it gives you hope. It tricks you into thinking "if they can do it so can I!". So you go and practice 4 hours per day on top of all of your AP/honors schoolwork until one day you realize that you have already achieved hay first goal of being able to play a certain piece of passage with no errors. Suddenly you realize you've become concertmaster for your school orchestra but then better you become, the more aware you are of how much you need to improve in order to be a recognized musician. I am happy I am a better musician than when I first started but I am also very upset that this hasn't gone the way I planned or I thought it would. No one wants to listen to me play because they're all tired of hearing my music and couldn't care less that now I have more control over every note and every move. *sigh* adulting isn't easy and it's not something anyone had ever warned me about.... AND IM ONLY 15!!

I'm sorry I'm about to write a very very shallow comment, but gurlllll your hair is on point!!! How do u get these curls??

I love this video sooo much! It's so inspiring! You literally just changed my view of life! Thank you for being the awesome person you are 💞

Taylor, really like how you shared yourself in this piece. As a dad of a young woman your age, this sounds a lot like a young woman growing up! Be encouraged! It usually takes graduates of any school a bit of time to sort of "get over" themselves and begin to face life realistically-and constructively. I'd say that that if you've figured this out in only a year, you are well on your way to the great life you hoped to live! Keep on working toward the things that you really care about, be extravagantly generous to others, and don't give up :) Tim

I adore your outlook on the world and life itself. It's truly inspiring to witness a person so comfortable in her own skin! Thank you for these videos and please continue to make more! :)

One of my goals for the past few years was to move to Japan. And last year in July I finally did it. I didn't have this goal until, as stated, a few years ago. But nevertheless, at that point in my life I had very low self esteem and didn't know what to do with my life, so I thought that moving to the other side of the world would magically boost my confidence, and that I would experience so much to mature myself and become a better person. I thought my life would suddenly be amazing. I love Japan, but I quickly realized the move wasn't gonna suddenly do all these things for me. As you said, you have to turn inside and work on yourself independent of your surroundings and realising that has been more effective in boosting my confidence the last 6 months than all the years before it.

I believe many people overthink trying to get into an ivy league school. Sure it will look great on your resume; however, my boss and his boss reassured me the college a job applicant attended only matters for their first job. After obtaining that position, employers couldn't care less whether you attended a local college or Oxford, Harvard, etc., in fact they'll ignore g.p.a.s and everything and look toward what experience you garnered from your first professional job out of college and so on. And sometimes the leg up of attending an ivy league or prestigious school will make you seem overqualified or employers will abstain from hiring you fearing of a demand of overpay due to accolades from your alma meter. TL;DR The college you attend doesn't matter after getting your first job out of school.

This was really helpful, I'm a UK student that just finished A levels and not sure what my next step is. I was considering going to Uni next year (even though I have no idea what course I want to do etc.) because I thought it would solve my current problems and get me out of a depressed rut. You really gave me insight and have made me rationally put my life into perspective

Honestly, I love your videos. They are so honest and I am so mesmerized by your vocabulary. But I am starting college in the fall. Are there any tips you may have? Thanks.

You summed this experience up perfectly. As a Yale graduate, people always assume that it was the most awesome experience ever. I try to tell them that once you are at any school, no matter the name or prestige, it just becomes a school after a while. Granted the professors and the courses were amazing, but life has a way of just being life once you've adjusted to your new situation. Again...a very nice video. I am definitely enjoying your channel. Thanks.

Honestly since I’m about to start college this fall, I think what you said about Harvard will really help me combat whatever relationship expectations or disappointments I might have in college with my friends. Thank you!!

Please do a video on how to write a resume to harvard....This will be really helpful.Thanks.

foreigners like myself romanticize America and while it is a great country it could parallel your experience. Yeah, go, travel the world but believe that your own country offers a lot of possibilities if you know where to look. There is no escape from your problems, like you said :). Is Harvard more renowned than Oxford? Which is better?

@madisonj5136

7 жыл бұрын

CCarolinee I agree my friend

@iamshamarbutler3288

7 жыл бұрын

Nóra Bánfi Harvard is

@oysterhunter276

6 жыл бұрын

On the world rankings, Oxford is number 1, Harvard is only 6th. No bias.

@EnlightenedBro105

5 жыл бұрын

None are. University rankings are completely meaningless. You literally learn the same shit at any University, what matters is that you get a good gpa wherever you go, because that's what future employers care about. Most people don't know that and just try to get into a top tier university so they can stroke themselves about it and boost their ego, they have no real reason to want to go to these schools other than it's what everyone tells them to do.

Would you mind doing a video on how you your art was reviewed in the admission process at Harvard, how you continued to pursue art, and what your current pieces are if possible? This would really help me, I want to put some art pieces into my college admissions stuff, and I hope you don't stop creating videos because they're entertaining and your amazing!

Hey Taylor, I get exactly what you mean I studied at the University of Cambridge for a year doing a Master's Degree and it was amazing but it kept me hungry in terms of experiences and it really had its drawbacks. Great video as always

Hey @YesReneau, this question is always on my mind. I'm currently a brazilian grad student and I'm 23 y.o. Do you know, if there is any possible scenario that harvard accepts a student a little older than usual?

Hi! I wanted to ask you, did you go to an IB school? Or just a regular high school? And one more thing; if I understand, you studied college at Harvard. Are you planning on going back to pursue another degree in that same university or would you like to change it up? Love your channel! Hugs from Mexico.

I have a question, if you send your application do you have to send your certifications from the middle School too or only from the 11th And 12th class?

Hi YesReneau, I really enjoyed your video! I'm a freshman high school student in the Czech Republic and one of the dreams I have is to come to the USA to study at a university in California. My dream school is Stanford University and I kinda got obsessed with it. In my head, Stanford also sounds as an all problems solution, but you made me realize that it is not and that I shouldn't fear getting rejected from Stanford, it is only a school right? Thank you very much for your insights on Harvard, I've been a follower of yours for quite a while and I really, really enjoy your content. :)

Hello, i've got a little question for you. Currently I have an engineering degree and I want continue my studies in economics. I am considering a license here in Paris. But is there a possibility to apply at the age of 24+++ or there is a top for that ?

World outside home is different especially for someone who is youngest and brought up by 4 adults by the time they were 18. And it's all part of our learning. Maybe we were taking everything we had for a little granted. And it sucks when eyes wander. Maybe it's more about them and less about us. Accepting who we are and what we seek is the utmost loyalty to our self because in the end we need our tribe and for that we must radiate violently our vibe. My college experience was same. It isn't that I regret because it was brand. But it was wrecking emotionally and psychologically. Still writing final sem of post graduation. Focus on yourself 💕 and you are amazing.

harvard isn't heaven but you are

@mariee_e

7 жыл бұрын

Denzel Brown damnn

@user-dk2rp3lt6t

7 жыл бұрын

Ben Song hahahah I like what did you say

@p4nana

6 жыл бұрын

Damnnnn

@AmetafJohora

6 жыл бұрын

ew wtf thats so disgusting why is it so hard for yall to respect someone on their channel

@bigbanknewyork3655

5 жыл бұрын

thirsty much?

I have a question! I know...I'm only 11 but I'm already stressing out over how my ACT/ SAT scores will turn out! Since you, an educated student who had a perfect score on the ACT, have already graduated Harvard, I would like to recognize how many AP classes I should take in my freshman year! According to Blog.PrepScholar.com, you should take 12-7 AP classes for an Ivy League school. Is this a trustable recource? Or would you suggest a different amount of classes? PS: My Ivy League dream school is Duke/Yale. Thanks, Kaitlyn Hood (don't mind my account username that is my dad's!)

Wow I think that this is one of my fav videos yet. It's so genuine and sincere sounding..love ur videos!

Quick question. Do you get to choose the hall you live in as a freshman at Harvard?

OMG I go to Penn and can relate so hard to what you are saying. I definitely viewed the university through rose-tinted glasses and loved it for the first week and each time I came to visit. I still love it, but it's just so much more real and less dreamy now. And it was very hard to let go of some of that. Also the shifting eyes and the tripping part are SO TRUE. Thanks for creating this video; I was able to resonate with it in a lot of ways.

Thanks for making such videos. They are really helpful. I had a question regarding my application. So I am originally from Pakistan, where I was enrolled in O/A Levels (the equivalent of IB and AP). But then in grade 11, I moved to Canada. In Canada, you are assigned schools based on your district/address. The school I was assigned did not offer any IB and AP courses. It still however has different course difficulties, and all the courses I took were of maximum difficulty. My unweighted GPA is a 4.0. Since I did not have any AP Courses, my weighted GPA would not by any different (although I don’t know if the courses I took back in Pak, under O/A Levels, will help with the weighted GPA). With this in mind, do I have a chance if getting in without AP courses. Note: My extracurriculars are pretty good, primarily focused on Debates. SAT Score: 1580 SAT II Physics: 800 SAT II Maths Level 1: 800

I think exactly the same way you used to in your High School! Actually, my dream is to get in Yale, and I fantasize about it sooo much! As you said at the end, I feel I need to do it, in order to realize it's not going to make my life perfect. I need to confirm this thesis so badly!!!

This video sums up my life. The funny thing is that this continuous cycle of expectation vs. reality is how I’ve learned some truly great lessons and how I still learn. I’ve never been a particularly social kid, in fact I was downright an introvert to the definition, the only friends I had were “friends” because of my cousin, a very socialy likable girl. It was helpful because I still had human interaction, but I craved solitude internally. Ironically me and my cousin had a disagreement and I don’t think we’ll recover and now the only thing getting me through summer, the thought of going back to school, is terrifying.

Quick question: Yesterday in the mail, I got an invitation for some summertime informational days for U Chicago. I just got done with freshman year, so I should I do? LOVE your vids btw.

I love your poster! Where did you get it?Btw the one in the background. Thank you!😁

OMG! I have felt exactly like that in my university! I always thought that it will be the most amazing experience in my life and that it will solve all my problems. You are totally right because I'm almost done with it and is not been as life-changing as I imagine when I was in high school. Happiness is most of all an inside job. Great video!

hey, i'm going on grade 10 next year and i was just wondering if you can tell me which class should i take?

ugggh my Internet signal is weakkkk and this is one of my favorite you tubers its like watching a modern day genius its the person who made something of her life and sharing with the world.. I took the advice from the essay writing video and I sat there for 21 hours trying. Later, I realized that something called writers block is what was happening

I got in to a boarding program this year. I thought leaving my family at fourteen would mean a new, improved brother for the next four years, all A's, and less problems. I was wrong. I've learned how to fail and most importantly, get back up. Every aspect of this video is so relatable. I like your outro music by the way.

Hey girl! Great video. I wanted to move to California so so bad for like a year when I lived in Chicago. I finally achieved that goal. Got an amazing job in San Francisco and moved. Now, as you may guess, the entire thing has been a lot more bittersweet than this amazing dream of heavenly California. So it's been pretty hard to figure out whether I made the right decision. There has been a lot of back and forth in my brain lol. But in the end, I'm growing as a person because of this experience. So that's good...

I completely understand what you meant with "always looking for the next best thing." I don't go to Harvard but I go to a similar type of school and you feel that self focus A LOT. It was a bit shocking at first. But if I'm being honest, I think I've done that myself to other people a lot.

For a second I thought the title was "Heaven Is NOT Heaven"

@nutshelloftrash2345

6 жыл бұрын

Stari XD

How many times did she say "Harvard"?

My high school kind of is similar to how you first perceived Harvard. I go to a very good and very selective high school that I had been dreaming of going to since I was about 10. Once I got accepted and it became my everyday, it started to loose the shine that it had in the beginning. Once it becomes a constant and you start to realize the things that are bad about the place it's difficult to still see it in the same light that you used to.

this is what happened with me i went from a straight a's student to a B/C student do you have any advices on how to avoid this kind of situation and focus on improving yourself instead?

Yes!! My Harvard was going on an exchange to a school in Norway. I had this idea in my head of this perfect active lifestyle I was going to live in Norway. While it was an incredible experience in so many (unanticipated) ways, I did get really burnt out after two months, was sick all the time, and returned home at the end of the exchange in worse health than when I'd left :/

This is so true. I feel this all the time. I am not a Harvard student but i am in the most renowned school in my country. And i feel the same. However, you have saved me a lot of work from transmitting my feeling into actual words.

LOVED THIS. you should totally collab with CathinCollege.

@paigec5017

7 жыл бұрын

Grace Calkins or Katherout bc she just graduated

@quercus1902

7 жыл бұрын

Ugh, no. They're completely different kind of people.

@livg6219

6 жыл бұрын

Grace Calkins yESSS

Mine was definitely studying abroad, though luckily I kind of realised that it probably wasn't going to make my life wonderful a few months before I went. But for about 4 years leading up to it I would fantasize about it solving all my problems. What ended up happening is that I was still really stressed and panicked about all the homework I had to do (but this time in French) and I still had the same trouble making friends, so my study abroad experience involved a lot more studying alone in my apartment in order to (barely) pass my classes, and a lot less going out to bars and travelling around Europe with new friends from all around the world than I had anticipated. It would be really great if you could make a video about your experience teaching English in the Paris suburbs!

@artemisk1226

7 жыл бұрын

ThesaurusToblerone I am in the same situation right now.. soon going abroad but have realized it's not going to be exactly what I have been fantasizing for the last 6 years.. do you mind talking about it? :)

@ThesaurusToblerone

7 жыл бұрын

Me? :)

@artemisk1226

7 жыл бұрын

Yes! If you don't mind :) I just find our experiences very similar

@ThesaurusToblerone

7 жыл бұрын

Here's a mini novel for you: OK, well, when I was studying in my home country I was bored and lonely most of the time. I lived with my parents, didn't have many friends, and never had any fun. I felt like I wasn't living the proper early 20s life. I would watch lots of youtube videos about peoples' study abroad experiences and 'tips for studying abroad' where everyone would talk about how awesome and fun it was. And so I thought that if I went and studied abroad myself, I would get to live in an apartment with people my age, I would make life-long friends from around the world and we would go out to bars and clubs and travel around Europe together and just have a really fun and crazy time. I thought that I would suddenly be happier. Last year I did a semester long student exchange at a pretty elite university in Paris, but luckily a friend of mine had gone the semester before me and she warned me that the university was really tough. There was no campus and therefore no student accommodation, so I had to rent privately. When I realised that, I knew that it would be hard for me to make friends. And sure enough, I didn't get along with my roommates and struggled to make other friends. It turned out that years of not doing much socialising at home had caused me to become really awkward and not know how to talk to new people. And had made me afraid of taking initiative. I thought that I had plenty of time to make friends but after the first two-ish of weeks all the exchange students had their little groups established and had made travel plans together, which I was left out of. I don't really know how that happened. (And local students generally aren't interested in making friends w/ exchange students because they'll just leave after a semester). Also, a lot of people weren't looking to make life-long friends -- they already had travel plans with friends from home who were coming to visit. And finally, the university that I went to was really difficult. I had to put in a lot of time just to pass my classes and I was constantly worried that I was going to fail. Most of my study abroad just involved going to class, doing my homework and big research assignments, and studying for tests. I did do some extra activities -- an art class and a yoga class -- in the hopes of meeting people, but in both of those classes no one ever talked to each other. At the end of the semester I was alone in Paris with nothing to do for two weeks as I hadn't made any (close) friends who I could hang out with. It was a very, very lonely experience. BUT, I'm happier now back at home than I was before I left. I no longer think "if only I could go abroad, everything would be better." I'm content with being where I am for the moment. And maybe if I'd never gone, I would still be unhappy and consumed by jealousy of people who live abroad. So, even if going abroad sucks, it's still a good experience to have.

Hi can anybody give me tips? I just graduated middle school yesterday and I feel so stressed. I registered for 3 honor classes and also got into a early college program ( When you go to a community college once or twice a week, you get 2 courses each semester. When u graduate hs you earn your associates degree and you also complete courses so you don't need to do them in college ). I didn't know that I was going to register for the Early college program but I decided last minute, since I wanted something to put on my transcript(I never done any extra curriculars). I feel that it's gonna take a toll on my grades but I wanted to try. You can drop out of the program and honor classes in the first 3 weeks but I'm afraid that it'll look bad. Thanks for reading this :P

this was very insightful and actually helpful :) I would love to see more videos like this from you!!!

I love this message so much. Also you remind me of Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars (that's my favourite series lol). I love your personality, and I wish I had someone like you irl that I could be friends with 🙌🏼

I also experienced that when I started my freshman year. I thought that college was this perfect place and that I'd have the time of my life going to parties and have so many new friends... but I found myself disliking the college party scene and not having a lot of good friends like the ones I have back home. I felt so distraught but I'm glad it happened bc it made me reevaluate my life and I learned how to cope w being on my own :)

I don't go to a prestigious college or anything but I can really relate to this. I go to college around 8 hours from where I grew up. All through out high school I had a lot of problems I needed to deal with and I always told myself that when I got to college, they would all go away. My first semester, everything was a dream. It was almost perfect and I was so happy that I was able to get away from my problems. Second semester came around and they slowly started coming back. I didn't know what to do. For the past four years I romanticized college and made it out to be a cure for my problems. And it wasn't. Yes, college is amazing and way better than high school but I wish I realized that just because I'm in a different chapter of my life doesn't mean my problems will automatically go away.

I go to Cornell and I feel the exaaact same way!!

Can confirm. Just finished my freshman year at princeton and i feel like a lot of ppl there were social for the sake of being social. Building shallow relationships for the sake of making connections, viewing you as a potential benefit rather than a true friend. I've chosen my friends wisely so far, trying to distinguish between true friends vs. acquaintances.

I love your videos so so much. A channel that proves watching youtubers' videos isn't always a time-wasting hobby!

Your reflective videos are always my favorite to watch! So insightful!

this video is amazing! It really helped me figure and discover that I have to solve my problems with a place rather than a place solve my problems. Thank you!

Thanks for these videos, I am dead set on getting into Harvard, and this has sort of pulled the wool away from my eyes. Keep making videos like these.!!!

you are so intelligent and well spoken. you're an amazing thoughtful human and i admire ur genuine humility❤

Last semester I got my first B ever as a final grade in one of my classes and it has been haunting me! Do you think this will affect me to get into Harvard ?

Hahah I've been basically jumping back and forth between these kinds of things until just recently. In high school I lived in France for a year, and before leaving for that I thought that it would be the best year of my life (it was but it was also the worst). Then when I got back I went to university and I thought THAT would make my life better, but it went so poorly that I ended up transferring to a different school. I had really low standards for the new school and let me tell you, I've had the best time of my life so far lol

Of course doing theatre. I always thought it was the best thing for me, that I would have enjoyed be another one, a character for a while. But it’s almost about getting over the fear of the public, and challenge yourself being under the spotlight. Not pleasant. But for sure it’s making me feel proud every time I do it well

does harvard have or start in high school? or only college?

Went through a similar experience... I'm studying at what's considered by a lot of people the ~top~ university in Indonesia, which is obviously faarrrrrr from Harvard but it's still a dream school for a lot of people (including me, lol. I cried like a baby when I found out I got in). So many people congratulated me and it really felt like I have fixed all my life problems and that it would be a smooth sail from then on, but then I realize it's not that at all. And now that I'm in this every day, I also forget that I'm actually _here_. It's only when I see kids telling me that their dream is to go here or when I see one of those cram schools or even study camps for my university's entrance exams do I get a reminder time to time. The people are similar too! Always looking for ways to further improve their life. Few would "stop to pick you up". Most friendships won't stick because people are always moving from place to place trying to find ways to further improve their lives, or maybe they just don't find you as interesting as other things/think spending time with you isn't giving them much to benefit from. This is also a generalization, obviously, but it's interesting how this evidently happens a lot at "top" schools, even only at a national level in a third-world country.

I attended a private university in Oregon and I can relate on folks wanting to socialize and network their way up and being perceived as a step down. Neat insights!

That is so cool! What high school did u go to I’m from the same area??

I have wanted to go to vet school since I was 9 years old... Now 12 years later I am finally in vet school, the place I have been dreaming of being in for almost my entire life. And it is only now where I am starting to have some doubts about becoming a vet and whether it really is what my 9 year old self perpetuated the idea of throughout my entire adolescence. Your last sentence really hit hard.