Prologue
03/14 (π day) is a big day for 45,000 people: it is the day when MIT decisions are coming out. On this day, almost 43,000 of them are met with disappointment as they see the “We have regret to inform you…” on their screens. The letter was short, a block of text that seemingly “determine your future forever”.

On that day, shattered dreams and broken hearts were the only companions of the thousands who dared to dream big, work hard, and hope for a better future, only to be crushed by a merciless letter that reduced their worth to a mere number on a page and their efforts to a fleeting memory of wasted youth.

For many, college rejections are rejections that felt out of control for the first time: something that could happen even if they are perfect. Some people get over this quickly, while others take months, or even years.

When I received these decisions letters. I felt lost, really lost. I was in a state of limbo, doing things for the sake of doing things. I wasn’t able to support my friends when I can, nor am I able to enjoy the things I used to enjoy. The rejection felt worse than any rejection I have received: it’s like a fire slowly cooking me away. No matter how much water I poured, the fire never subsided.

But over time, I came to realize that college, and even a top-tier university like MIT, was not the only path to success. I realized that there are ways you can form a world class education wherever you go. In this blog, I will be exploring some ways you can reach your goals, pave your path to the dream you want to reach.

This blog is dedicated for those who may be feeling the sting of rejection, they too can find solace in the fact that their future is not defined by any one institution, but rather by the limitless potential within themselves.

Part 1: Take a walk with me.
I invite you to take a virtual walk with me. Take a second and imagine a place you want to be. How about strolling through the park next door, basking in the freshness of the air? Or trekking up the hill to observe the birds chirping while overseeing the city? Alternatively, we could explore downtown, a vibrant hub for commerce and activity.

If you’re not ready for a walk, we can chat anytime you feel like it. Ready? Then let’s start chatting.

“What are five good things that happened today?” Take a moment to deeply reflect on the positive moments in your life.

Have your answer? You may wonder why I asked this question in the first place. Well, I want to remind you of the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and gratitude for what you have. Even if you have access to a world-class education, it’s essential to be in the right frame of mind to make the most of it. If you’re constantly dwelling on past mistakes or regrets, you may fail to see the other good things in your life, which can also impact your ability to grow and learn even if you are at your dream school.

Regardless of where you are, reflecting on the positive things also will put you in a better mood which is a prerequisite for receiving the world class education and growing as a person. Having a positive mindset also will prepare you well for the challenge.

To obtain a MIT styled education, there are four things to consider.

1. You should have an internet connection.
2. You should have a drive to learn and curiosity about the world.
3. You should surround yourself with great people.
4. You should have an optimistic attitude.

If you are reading this article, you already met requirement 1. We will explore point 2–4 down below. Let’s dive in.

Part 2: Drink from the right firehose
When most people hear MIT, the first thing they think of is the academics. Many MIT students have to choose only 2 things from sleep, social, or studying. No MIT students could claim that they haven’t pulled an all nighter. It is evident that the MIT curriculum is amongst some of the most rigorous in the US. In fact, learning from MIT has been described as “drinking from the firehose”.

You can attempt to use the MIT firehose by soaking yourself in MIT open courseware. But choosing the right firehose is crucial to getting a great MIT education anywhere. Before you even consider the intensity of the firehose, make sure it aligns with your interests and goals. You don’t want to get soaked by a firehose that sprays mud when you were hoping for one that blasts bubble milk tea.

When selecting a firehose, it’s important to recognize that there will be challenges no matter which one you choose. For example, if you choose the mathematics firehose, you may find yourself bombarded with abstract models and equations that require multiple passes to understand. If you choose the computer science firehose, you may spend hours debugging code. But despite these difficulties, immersing yourself in the right firehose can be a refreshing experience, much like getting soaked by a firehose can be invigorating. By understanding yourself and selecting the right firehose, you can overcome the challenges and come out feeling renewed and ready to take on the world.

Now that you have firehoses readied up, how intense should the blast be? I hope you are not trying to blast yourself at max intensity. You will get really soaked and not enjoy the experience. It’s better to take incremental steps, start with a small spray, and gradually increase it as you feel comfortable. It’s like adjusting the temperature of a shower. Adjusting it too fast might be a shock to your system. So, take the time to adjust it properly.

Well, now you have some firehoses, go ahead and start blasting and remember to keep blasting consistently at a rate you enjoy.

Part 3: A ripple of kindness
If you ask any MIT students what their favorite part of MIT is, they are most likely going to mention “the people”. This may come as a surprise since most people attribute MIT with its academic workload. But in fact, the reason why MIT education is awesome is the people behind the institution: the professor, students, and necessary workers who keep the system running.

One of the things MIT fosters a lot is collaboration. MIT will give you some of the most difficult problem sets possible. But MIT will also provide you with the best resources to tackle these problem sets, one of which is other peers. In fact, most problems in the world are solved by teams of people.

If you want to change the world, you most likely will need a group of people supporting you. If you want to grow faster as a person, you will need mentors keeping you on track. If you want to think critically, you will need to discuss with colleagues with different perspectives than you.

Having great people around you is one thing you can do to improve the environment around you. But how do you do this? It’s simple: start by doing random acts of kindness. These could be as small as cheering up someone’s day or as big as helping someone with their homework. The more you spread kindness, the more it radiates from within you, and people will begin to take notice.

By this point, you will have developed a positive reputation and people will be more likely to engage with you. This will help you find the people with whom you resonate the most. Remember the overwhelming amount of knowledge you absorbed before from the firehose? The knowledge can also help spark conversation and engage in interesting conversation.

Sooner or later, you will find yourself more engaged in the human experience and become like the awesome people you surrounded yourself with.

Part 4: I hate this fu*king place / I have truly found paradise
MIT’s environment can be summed up in one phrase: IHTFP (I have truly found paradise / I hate this fucking place). This is the mantra that MIT students live by. On one hand, they have found paradise, a place where they are surrounded by brilliant minds, state-of-the-art facilities, and an unending supply of opportunities to learn and grow. On the other hand, they hate this fucking place, with its relentless workload, sleepless nights, and unforgiving deadlines.

Wherever you are in, it is a superposition of paradise or hell. This is true for all places. You will always find flaws in your environment and praising something else. While it is true that any environment can be seen as a mixture of paradise and hell, it is important to note that one’s attitude can greatly influence how they perceive and interact with their surroundings. Approaching your environment with boldness, spontaneity, and optimism can lead to a more positive experience, regardless of the challenges and stressors that may come with it.

Being bold means taking risks and being unafraid to try new things. This attitude can help you make the most of your environment by seeking out new experiences and opportunities that may not have been immediately apparent. It can also help you overcome the fear of failure that often accompanies difficult tasks, allowing you to take on challenges with confidence and determination.

Similarly, spontaneity can help you approach your environment with an open mind and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. By embracing unpredictability and being flexible in your approach to problem-solving, you can find creative solutions to complex issues and make the most of the resources available to you.

Finally, approaching your environment with optimism can help you maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. By focusing on the potential for growth and learning, you can turn even the most challenging situations into opportunities for personal development and improvement.

In short, while any environment may have its challenges and drawbacks, a positive attitude can help you make the most of the opportunities available to you. By being bold, spontaneous, and optimistic, you can approach your surroundings with a sense of adventure and curiosity, allowing you to grow and thrive in even the most difficult of circumstances.

Conclusion
Getting an MIT-style education is no easy feat. But keep trying to embark on a rigorous, challenging, and rewarding journey. As they say at MIT, “Pain is just weakness leaving the body.” So go forth, and conquer the world!