Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#1

Post by lost_padawan » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 12:06 PM UTC

I am a twenty year old graduating college this year. I never really worked hard to achieve anything and I got by so far with decent grades without putting much effort by just doing assignments a day before the deadline/cramming everything the day before the exam. At times, I try hard to actually put effort into doing something but I just cannot be consistent. I have been told on multiple occasions that I'm just wasting away my potential. I want to pursue graduate studies next year and I do not think I can continue this way there.

I am also very socially anxious. I started college during pandemic and could not form any friendships as well due to my anxiety and the constant fear of being judged. Once the in-person classes started at college, I do not have any friends and often feel lonely and excluded which has a toll on my mental health.

I do not want to be the "could have been" guy and really want to turn this around. Living in a third-world country, I often see people struggling for opportunities which makes me feel bad for not making use of those that I have.

I have always felt the most at home on HN, be it due to its people or or just the whole culture associated with it which is why I'm now turning to HN for advice. So, how can I be consistent and actually work hard on something that ha impact on people? And how can I get rid of my social anxiety and form meaningful relationships? I highly appreciate any sort of advice.

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#2

Post by 999900000999 » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 12:11 PM UTC

Your only 20, just give yourself time.

At least in America you don't graduate college until 22 or older, you're already ahead of many.

No one else has it all figured out, were all just learning.

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#3

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 12:15 PM UTC

999900000999 wrote: post #2

Your only 20, just give yourself time. At least in America you don't graduate college until 22 or older, you're already ahead of many. No one else has it all figured out, were all just learning.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#4

Post by sargstuff » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 3:21 PM UTC

lost_padawan > .. how can I be consistent and actually work hard on something ...

Consistency typically a 'result of use' thing (assuming not a prodigy). Take the 'skiplist'[1] approach an look/try things. (just be mindful of the gpt3/ search engine trap(s)).

Typically only hear about the sucessess, not the seaming endless approaches that went nowhere.

[1] : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip_list

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#5

Post by lost_padawan » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 4:53 PM UTC

sargstuff wrote: post #4

lost_padawan > .. how can I be consistent and actually work hard on something ... Consistency typically a 'result of use' thing (assuming not a prodigy). Take the 'skiplist'[1] approach an look/try things. (just be mindful of the gpt3/ search engine trap(s)). Typically only hear about the sucessess, not the seaming endless approaches that went nowhere. [1] : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip_list

Thanks for the advice. I did not get what you meant by gpt3/search engine trap(s). Could you elaborate a bit?

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#6

Post by sargstuff » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 7:09 PM UTC

lost_padawan wrote: post #5

sargstuff wrote: post #4

lost_padawan > .. how can I be consistent and actually work hard on something ... Consistency typically a 'result of use' thing (assuming not a prodigy). Take the 'skiplist'[1] approach an look/try things. (just be mindful of the gpt3/ search engine trap(s)). Typically only hear about the sucessess, not the seaming endless approaches that went nowhere. [1] : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip_list

Thanks for the advice. I did not get what you meant by gpt3/search engine trap(s). Could you elaborate a bit?

Use of logic, even if via 'AI', still doesn't eliminate logical fallacies.

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#7

Post by sargstuff » Tue, Jan 31, 2023, 7:17 PM UTC

lost_padawan wrote: post #5

sargstuff wrote: post #4

lost_padawan > .. how can I be consistent and actually work hard on something ... Consistency typically a 'result of use' thing (assuming not a prodigy). Take the 'skiplist'[1] approach an look/try things. (just be mindful of the gpt3/ search engine trap(s)). Typically only hear about the sucessess, not the seaming endless approaches that went nowhere. [1] : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skip_list

Thanks for the advice. I did not get what you meant by gpt3/search engine trap(s). Could you elaborate a bit?

'Math less traveled' make one less of a programmer? [1]

[1] Esperanto centered example: "If Hemingway Wrote JavaScript" by Angus Croll

Re: Ask HN: How do I turn this around?

#8

Post by lost_padawan » Wed, Feb 01, 2023, 3:46 PM UTC

sargstuff wrote: post #6

lost_padawan wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the advice. I did not get what you meant by gpt3/search engine trap(s). Could you elaborate a bit?

Use of logic, even if via 'AI', still doesn't eliminate logical fallacies.

Got it, thanks.