A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students • Hacker News Board

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#21

Post by forwardslash » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 8:34 AM UTC

lhnz wrote: post #16

I wanted to cry, somebody replied: "if you could share us some of those skills." If it was possible we would and we could all just sit back and crib each other's notes on life. But this has to come from within you. You cannot share willpower, dedication and ambition. There's nothing else to it: it's not as if the knowledge isn't on the internet or in books for cheap... You can mould yourself a more conscientious pers…

So, would any book on studying do, or any search for "skills to do well at school"? I, as a struggling student, too would like to know what R. said to him and what he in turn said to those he tutored.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#22

Post by zollo » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 8:47 AM UTC

sown wrote: post #11

JerusaEnt wrote: post #8

I agree with him when he says that it is mostly how hard you work, dedication, and ambition. But wouldn't we just be fooling ourselves when we say it's not genetic? Maybe I'm wrong but, there are such things as kids that knowledge comes easier to, and kids that they simply can't understand something. Also, for example, a kid with ADHD is woefully behind on the "being able to sit and work" ability. I think it's nice t…

I agree with you that biology has a definite effect. However, every time I express an opinion here on HN, I get down voted into oblivion.

Not sure why that would happen. I studied Neuroscience as an undergraduate and the topic never really surfaced, largely because enough research has been done to confirm what most of us had already suspected: It's mostly nature, with a bit of nurture to round out the edges. Still, rounding those edges is a big deal, so posts like the one we're discussing here are worth a read (though, to be frank, this one was a little dull. You need good study habits and a bit of humility to be successful? I'd hope all college students know this, not just the ones at MIT). There's a nice book on the subject by Steven Pinker, though a lot of it is filler.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#23

Post by lhnz » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 8:49 AM UTC

forwardslash wrote: post #21

lhnz wrote: post #16

I wanted to cry, somebody replied: "if you could share us some of those skills." If it was possible we would and we could all just sit back and crib each other's notes on life. But this has to come from within you. You cannot share willpower, dedication and ambition. There's nothing else to it: it's not as if the knowledge isn't on the internet or in books for cheap... You can mould yourself a more conscientious pers…

So, would any book on studying do, or any search for "skills to do well at school"? I, as a struggling student, too would like to know what R. said to him and what he in turn said to those he tutored.

There is no one book to learn from. On the topic you wish to learn about, find the best book you can or the best lecturer/mentor you can. (You're in a very good position to do this. Since you are on Hacker News you are well connected to the kind of people that can point you in the right direction!)

Inri is talking about the conscientious personality trait [1]. This is highly correlated to success in school and in the workplace.

You may consider yourself a struggling student but often a struggle is needed for success. If you're doing this already then have faith that you are on the right path as eventually it will be borne out. My point is that you can learn a conscientious personality, and you can become smarter and stronger willed. Every human is born with some willpower. Every human is born with some intellectual ability. Intellectual effort and willpower are both cumulative. They are like muscles, simple exercise of them grows them.

I have never met a man or woman who has fulfilled their potential.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscientiousness

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#24

Post by nyellin » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 8:51 AM UTC

I have another message for struggling students: Go outside and get some fresh air; exercise; smile. It's only a grade.

I have experienced first-hand the shock of discovering just how hard university is, but pushing yourself harder and harder until you break is not the answer. You need to be smarter about how you work, you need to develop proper study habits, and you need to get over your fear of asking for help. But at the end of the day, grades are just grades. Once you finish university and get your first job, none of this will matter anymore.

University is far harder than programming jobs, so don't judge yourself too harshly for struggling. Many things are more important in life. Remember to enjoy the most intense learning experience you will ever experience, and don't forget to look after your own health.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#25

Post by jdc » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:00 AM UTC

lhnz wrote: post #16

I wanted to cry, somebody replied: "if you could share us some of those skills." If it was possible we would and we could all just sit back and crib each other's notes on life. But this has to come from within you. You cannot share willpower, dedication and ambition. There's nothing else to it: it's not as if the knowledge isn't on the internet or in books for cheap... You can mould yourself a more conscientious pers…

But it did not come from within Inri; it seems rather clear that the author would have flunked out without R.'s coaching.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#26

Post by jQueryIsAwesome » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:16 AM UTC

chucknthem wrote: post #18

Slightly off topic, but I'm sick of post titles that start with "A Redditor's ...". A title like that is just going to encourage comments and culture from reddit which is usually inappropriate here. "Redditors" are mostly normal people, "An insightful message for discouraged students" would have been a perfectly good title to this.

Some kind of (silly) e-patriotism... go hackernewtors!

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#27

Post by samikc » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:24 AM UTC

This post is an eye opener, true and engaging. You can co-relate to the maths example with anything hard. You have give it time. I had a math book in school where it said, "If you love mathematics it will love you back." Actually if you look at it, for competency in any topic you have to work with it. You will eventually get it, if you are ready to work hard.

It may take some time but what the hell if you really want to understand something you got a give everything to it.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#28

Post by lhnz » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:24 AM UTC

jdc wrote: post #25

lhnz wrote: post #16

I wanted to cry, somebody replied: "if you could share us some of those skills." If it was possible we would and we could all just sit back and crib each other's notes on life. But this has to come from within you. You cannot share willpower, dedication and ambition. There's nothing else to it: it's not as if the knowledge isn't on the internet or in books for cheap... You can mould yourself a more conscientious pers…

But it did not come from within Inri; it seems rather clear that the author would have flunked out without R.'s coaching.

True, but this time it came from him. :)

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#29

Post by knowtheory » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:27 AM UTC

lhnz wrote: post #16

I wanted to cry, somebody replied: "if you could share us some of those skills." If it was possible we would and we could all just sit back and crib each other's notes on life. But this has to come from within you. You cannot share willpower, dedication and ambition. There's nothing else to it: it's not as if the knowledge isn't on the internet or in books for cheap... You can mould yourself a more conscientious pers…

Your post makes me grumpy for the following reason:

What you're talking about isn't a failure of willpower, dedication or ambition.

It's a failure of knowledge. It's a failure of knowledge of the resources that are available to them, and it's a failure to awaken from the Samsara of self-doubt.

Inri137's doing the Buddhist thing and trying to shake people awake. These are skills that you can acquire. Sure it's modulated by willpower, dedication, ambition, and some natural talent, but that's not the important part imo. To quote FDR, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Fuck fear.

Re: A Redditor's insightful message for discouraged students

#30

Post by danssig » Thu, Jan 05, 2012, 9:32 AM UTC

JerusaEnt wrote: post #8

I agree with him when he says that it is mostly how hard you work, dedication, and ambition. But wouldn't we just be fooling ourselves when we say it's not genetic? Maybe I'm wrong but, there are such things as kids that knowledge comes easier to, and kids that they simply can't understand something. Also, for example, a kid with ADHD is woefully behind on the "being able to sit and work" ability. I think it's nice t…

Of what use is it to think this way? It's just another excuse to not try and succeed. Life isn't going to see you sitting over there with a 10-point lower IQ potential and give you some extra breaks.

If learning comes harder to you then it just means you've got to work that much harder. Bad luck.