I transferred out of Vanderbilt University after my sophomore year after reflecting on similar things you spoke about in chapter 1. I got sucked into the top college hype my senior year of high school without thinking about what I wanted from my education and what was best for me and my family. And I never had the space to reflect at Vandy-as you said, it’s just go go go and distraction after distraction. I moved back home to recenter and transferred to a “lesser known” college. I battled with many self-worth issues, but over time, it was clear I made the best decision for myself. I rekindled relationships with my family, faith, and friends. I rediscovered my passions. While it was tough, I don't regret it for a second. And neither will you. Taking a leave of absence takes a lot of courage, and I respect you for it. I think you have the right intentions, and with it, your time off will be transformative. Thanks for the video bro. P.S. your editing is sick and I loved the aesthetic

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

YES its so hard to get out of the rat race once you buy into that perpetual grind mindset. thanks for sharing your story it makes me even more confident that what I'm doing is the right move :)

excited to tag along for your journey! your editing skills are really awesome!

GREAT VIDEO!!! So proud of your decision, hope u the best during this new process, mate!

It really takes a lot of courage to make the decision. Love your work as always! You will definitely find the answers you are looking for

this video was so beautifully made. it's true, everyone just needs to do a little bit of soul-searching. I'm excited to see more of the content you product!!

I'm a junior at columbia and have been thinking about so many of the same things... thank you so much for posting this, I really appreciate it

This is extremely thoughtful and this video was well put together. We all could use a master reset every now and again. I have faith that you will be extremely successful and have deep insight on yourself. I strongly believe we are learning ourselves on a daily basis it’s a never ending process. Thank you for sharing and peace and blessings ✨

It blows my mind that this video doesn't have more views; it is literally one of the best edited, highest quality videos I've seen in a long time. I think you will do exceptionally well as a filmmaker! Coincidentally, I too want to become a filmmaker someday and I fear that my parents won't understand my vision, as they expect me to do something in computer science or engineering. I don't really have the courage to tell them otherwise. I have an interview with a Columbia alumni tomorrow, and so I watched your video to learn a little more about the idiosyncrasies of the culture. I've definitely felt that perpetual grind mindset before, and it's good to step back and take a deep breath. Beautiful video! P.S. The grind mindset and loss of your sense-of-self is a common trait among many students at top universities. The shallow and uber competitive nature is what makes many students feel this way; it's not uncommon. I wish you the best in your respite!

seeing how great your works are and the sacrifices you've made, makes me believe that you can truly do it! and that i can do it myself too. this video is really inspiring.

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

:) appreciate you--I got this and you got this too :)

Glad you’re posting again!

absolutely beautiful man, hope you find what you're looking for!

I sent you a message on Instagram as well if you ever want to chat, but I completely understand the sentiments of this video and want to say that you are not alone in this journey. I was supposed to attend Northwestern University this fall, but ended up staying at my state school online, moving to San Francisco, and living in a community with students from a completely nontraditional university. Your college does not define you, nor do the constructs that other people have placed around your life for what determines success. I am so proud of you for making this decision, despite not knowing you, and if you ever need support from the other people who don't quite follow the rules for the linear pathways of our lives, feel free to reach out.

this video is gonna blow up

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

one day one day

Loved this video Thomas, you're such an inspiration! Wishing you luck on the next part of your journey :)

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

thank you diannaaaaaa :)))

I love this video and everything you’ve said it’s amazingly made, but honestly it makes me feel scared to go to college. I applied to Columbia and if I got in I’d consider going, but really just college in general, this made me feel like I need to rethink what I want in life but also idk I feel like I can’t not go to college. Wonder if anyone else feels the same 🤷

This is art! Good luck!!!!

You’re killing it! Love to see you uploading

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

AYOO yasha thank you my guy

Absolutely brilliant video! So wholesome and peaceful. Your words were precisely what I needed to hear in this moment! Go ‘all in’ for ONE year. Just one year! Tell yourself that for ‘one year only’ you are going to give it all your all ; apply for any work opportunities ; save your money ; become psychically fit (whatever your goals may be). Just try and see what happens… and think, if it doesn’t work out then you can always go back and return to what you were doing before. However, there is a high chance that you will be so transformed that you will never return!

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

THIS!! I completely agree with you. Succeed or fail, our efforts shape the type of person we become so we gotta take that first step toward our goals

you’re really great at this. beautiful video 🫶

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

THANKS EMBYR!

Take a year. I did. From Columbia in 2003. One of the best decisions of my life. You are doing exactly the right thing.

hope you find what you're looking for thomas🙏🏼 go do ur thing, i'm rooting for u

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

I appreciate it pablo :):)

Lord have mercy on my soul Thomas this was incredible

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

:)) i appreciate it so much hahaha

#1 fan since day one, keep it up bro :)

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

you fr a day one thanks man :)

FINALLY GOT THE CHANCE TO WATCH THIS SO GOOD

you’re an inspiration to many toemas, always rooting for you c:

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

AYO ME TOO you're crzy with the twitch grind fr 7 hrs GOODNESS

thank you for this

This is beautiful 🥹 can’t wait to see what’s to come!

this was art. i hope you achieve your dreams!

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

thank you you too!!!

You’re actually an inspiration man

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

love ya my guy

good luck on ur journey bro

I'm decades older than you. What a great thing you are doing. Courage!

This is absolutely beatiful

holy this straight fire

always rooting for you Thomas 🫡

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

i appreciate you carlos :)

this was amazing thomas wth

i took your extra yoda keychains that were on your desk and i have it on my backpack TOO THATS CRAZY

this is really well done

gawd dayum you’re talented

Somehow I think you’re a pretty relatable person. Wishing you well on your journey. As they all say, life happens, but that’s just part of the process. A lot of us don’t even know what the f*ck we’re doing with our own lives. I mean, perfection all just a blur to me now.

I searched ‘leave of absence Columbia University’ and saw this as the 1st video. Great video btw, I can kinda relate

Dudeeeee this is amazing!

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

hope amazons going welll

this is like one of those low-key channels with insanely high quality videos that's going to go viral as soon as someone clips it on TikTok

SO EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE 👀

this just hit me in the soul

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

bruh samme

LETS GOOOOO WE GOIN OFF COURSE BABYYYYY LETS GO TOEMASSSS

what is the necklace around your neck? is it a frequency necklace?

This is awesome

Incredible video

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

appreciate it my guy :))

Sometimes life’s uncertainty will come to you as a surprise. But you will persevere if you maintain your healthy attitude. Before you know it, you’ll find peace.

art.

wow. i'm speechless.

Toemas is awesome!!!! Imma miss u bro

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

i miss you bro :')

To chasing our dreams in our 20’s 🍺.

well said big toe

brought tears to my eyes!🥹 best of luck on your journey, thomas. we’re all cheering you on!

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

I MISS YOU AND BIANCA AND JEREMY :')

wow

1 more week till I graduate college then I’m off to Wyoming to work for the forest service

It blew up now

BRO ADDED MY TIKTOK 🤣🤣🤣🤣

this video gives me studio ghibli vibes tbh

When she is too good to be true #ImposterSyndrome

bro will do everything but graduate

@Toemas

8 ай бұрын

LMAO