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I personally use a revised version of the Pomodoro Technique which has 45-minute intervals instead of the traditional 25 minutes. I find that the increase of time allows me to properly enter o flow state consistently for each pomodoro. I suggest that you experiment with the intervals and find one that fits your natural rhythm.

 

 

Night Alarm Clock

I won't delve into all the physiological reasons to prioritize getting good sleep, as that could be an entire guide on its own. I assume many of you have already learned the basics in your science classes, which hopefully was enough to convince you.

 

However, I do want to emphasize that in all my different biomedical engineering classes, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, the topic of sleep consistently comes up. This recurring emphasis from experts in the field should speak volumes about its importance.

Even with our best efforts, we've all experienced situations where we lose track of time at night and before we know it it's 3 am. Then we have trouble waking up in time the next morning because we're too tired, which ruins any positive momentum we had built.

 

Two night alarms employed regularly can prevent all of that.

The first alarm serves as a reminder to close out work tasks, wrap up late-night conversations, or finish watching movies, signaling that it's time to prepare for bed. Then you should begin to wind down and transition into your nighttime routine.

The second alarm is specifically set to remind you to switch off or put away all electronic devices, such as lights, computers, iPads, and phones. This step is essential as it helps create an environment conducive to sleep by reducing exposure to the stimulating effects of electronic screens.

 

By incorporating night alarms into your routine, you can ensure that you allocate sufficient time for winding down and disengaging from electronic distractions, ultimately promoting a more quality sleep experience.

 

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Stacking Micro Wins

Often, we set lofty goals that demand immense discipline and consistency, which can be challenging to maintain. As a result, many of us, lacking that level of development at a young age, struggle to follow through and end up damaging our confidence.

However, a simple change in approach can have

significant results. Instead of tackling overwhelming

objectives directly, break them down into smaller, more

manageable micro-goals. Make these micro-goals incredibly

small to the extent that they feel easv to achieve.

 

By adopting this strategy, you will find yourself

accomplishing many more of these goals which will build

positive momentum and increase your confidence as you

have proven you can achieve what you commit to.

Stay focused and consistently stack these micro-wins

over time, and eventually, you will glance up and realize

you are closer than ever to those massive goals you had

initially set.

 

 

Mindfulness Practice

I would argue that individuals who lead highly productive lives often possess a heightened sense of intentionality. By simply being more aware of your thoughts, you can actively shape the life you desire. This level of mindfulness allows you to be fully present in your work, relationships, and hobbies, ensuring that your decisions align with your core values, beliefs, and goals.

 

In a world filled with constant distractions, you must be careful to avoid inadvertently adopting a lifestyle that contradicts your desired path. To aid in this process, I encourage you to start each morning with a brief meditation session followed by writing down your intentions for the day. This practice provides an opportunity to differentiate between meaningful experiences and distractions.

 

By incorporating this practice at the beginning of your day, you can make conscious decisions and effectively allocate your resources when distractions become more prevalent later on.

 

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Personal Advice for Students

Develop a Network

For those incoming college freshmen, the best advice I can offer is to take advantage of your first two weeks by beginning to network in your classes. I promise you this will make your life so much easier for the next four years.

 

Every single other freshman will want the exact same thing as you: friends.

Unfortunately, this cannot be said for upperclassmen who already have their groups figured out. Therefore, take the initiative now after every single class to exchange phone numbers with the people sitting next to you.

 

Simply say something along the lines of:

 

“Th iS CIOSS COLI lGl C°I1d up horncj di J)icu lt. Woulcl you guys wati t to innkC O ,QUOH Cllot iR CGSC WC

cun hellp ench other in the J'iitui e?”

 

Then collect everyone's number and create the group chat. Then prompt everyone to text their names so each individual's contact is identified.

 

After you do this at least once, then you can add the following sentence the next time you ask for a different class:

“I alrecidy liave some ccii tOCtS of people froor class, SO 1 Can €er ta/n /J conneCt all oJ its iJ

vve have other overlays in our scheclules.”

 

I made this a habit for every new class, and it is single handedly the most important thing I did during freshman year because it created a massive network of peers who were readily available. Each individual possesses their own unique strengths and having a friend knowledgeable in a subject available to answer your clarifying questions can save a ton of time. It can be the difference between waiting 5 minutes for a response from them and waiting several days for a response from a professor.

 

Moreover, due to the curse of knowledge, sometimes professors are unable to teach the material to a beginner effectively. By having peers that are only slightly ahead of you in expertise, you may be taught by them in a way that's easier to comprehend.

I believe it goes without saying, but you should always add more value to the network than take away. Attend every lecture, stay organized, and keep up to date with deadlines, so that you can be the first to offer help to a student who needs it. When you are generous with your time and knowledge, it is much more likely that the behavior will be reciprocated in the future when you need it.

 

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Lastly, get to know your school's faculty early on. This certainly includes your professors and teaching assistants, but also begin exploring research opportunities and work experiences that are offered by other faculty members throughout your university.

1t’s unlikely that you'll be offered a position immediately because freshmen usually don‘t have the necessary credentials but reach out anyways and ask for a tour of their facility or a short meeting to discuss their work. Trust me, professors love to show off when given an opportunity so it's likely they'll agree.

 

After you make those initial connections, follow up with them with a short email checking in on their work every term. You will be so much more likely to get a position with them in the future and that experience is invaluable for your resume.

 

 

Develop a High Value Skill

I was the typical high-achieving student in high school. I consistently earned good grades, took many AP classes, participated in a dual enrollment program at a local college, engaged in many clubs, and played sports every year. I thought these credentials were paving the way for a great college experience and ultimately a fulfilling and high-paying job.

 

Once I entered college, I realized I only had a part of the full picture. I immediately fell behind those individuals who had the foresight to develop a high value skill that complimented their academic credentials.

These were the individuals that immediately secured lab positions, expanded their network, earned scholarships, and started companies. They went on to leverage those experiences for incredible internship opportunities, further widening the gap between them and their peers.

So what actually makes a skill high value* Here are some important criteria to consider:

 

1. Market demand: Do employers or clients actually want it?

2. Transferability: Can it be leveraged in different roles and industries?

3. Specialized knowledge: Does it require a barrier of entry so that someone can't easily replicate it?

4. Future relevance: Does it align with the way our society is headed?

5. High earning potential: Do experts of the skill often command high salaries?

 

Here are a few example skills that fit all 5 criteria:

 

• Programing and software

• Sales and marketing

development

• Graphic design and UI/UX

• Cloud computing

design

• Data analysis

• Content creation

 

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There are many more that you can explore with a quick google search, so I encourage you to take a look at every opportunity before honing in on one.

 

Once you've identified which skill you want to develop, browse through the hundreds of courses available online and select a free one that is geared towards beginners.

You can always pay for upgraded services in the future, but you should at least get some experience before committing to a paid service.

If you are in secondary school, I would encourage you to still take advanced classes and get involved in extracurriculars but be more mindful of how you are spending your time. I would argue that spending a few hours each week developing one of the aforementioned skills would be a greater return on your investment compared to a third or fourth AP class. Remember, the only way you can leverage the skill in the future is if you are at least proficient at it, so it will require a significant amount of time to practice.

 

If you are already in college, I would immediately schedule an appointment with an academic advisor and review your plan of study for the remaining terms. Ensure that you are only taking required classes along with electives that align with the high-value skill you want to explore. Spend your time outside of school practicing and even challenge yourself to make money if possible providing services. When you have some skin in the game, it can really motivate you to deepen your learning.