4 answers
Zy'Aire
Student
Ohio, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What is something that you had to unlearn after starting college that you thought was important before? How did that shift your mindset?
I’m a senior planning to major in Social Work, with a strong interest in the medical field; specifically pediatric oncology. I’m curious about mindset shifts that happen in college, especially when it comes to things like grades, time management, emotional boundaries, or expectations in helping professions. I’d really value hearing about something you had to unlearn and how it changed the way you approach your work or education now.
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4 answers
Rufino Cudia
Solutions Architect
8
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Rufino’s Answer
You got me thinking extreme long about your question. Thank you for that.
Biggest unlearn when starting college has to be that there's more than one way of anything and everything. A lot of what was learned was essentially generationally passed on programming along with learned environmental and situational survival programming. It created a narrowed view about everything especially life. When you can free yourself from the constraints that you never chose to have, you mindset shifts and things become clearer.
I realized always getting an "A" is extremely stressful and that a "B" is just as beautiful. I realized managing time also meant blocking out some "me" time. I realized that boundaries are a must even though the reactions to them can be heavy.
While I'm not in helping professions, what I value the most from them is when they're genuinely kind and compassionate. You won't ever know that full story of the person you're helping or what they've been/are going through.
Biggest unlearn when starting college has to be that there's more than one way of anything and everything. A lot of what was learned was essentially generationally passed on programming along with learned environmental and situational survival programming. It created a narrowed view about everything especially life. When you can free yourself from the constraints that you never chose to have, you mindset shifts and things become clearer.
I realized always getting an "A" is extremely stressful and that a "B" is just as beautiful. I realized managing time also meant blocking out some "me" time. I realized that boundaries are a must even though the reactions to them can be heavy.
While I'm not in helping professions, what I value the most from them is when they're genuinely kind and compassionate. You won't ever know that full story of the person you're helping or what they've been/are going through.
Josh Taylor
25
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Really good question.
1 - Unlearn that grades are everything. While they are important, as it demonstrates an ability to learn new material, it's not what is most important getting out of college. I'm not advocating getting C's but it doesn't need to be straight A's. Combining your grades with experience and application of what you've learned, has greater meaning.
2 - Unlearn that Time management is optional. It's crucial as it goes deep into managing your personal time to ensure your responsibilities are taken care of - class, personal, social, and professional interests. Being able to handle multiple priorities should undoubtedly catch the eye of an interviewer. It shows you are responsible and can handle competing priorities.
3 - Unlearn that your way is the only way things can work. If you are open to learning from others, you'll find different and sometimes better ways to approach or think about situations, conditions, and 'why' to many things.
4 - Unlearn that High School was the way life would always be. You are coming out of 4 years of how life worked. It's no longer the case and you have much more freedom to do what you want and how you want to do it. With that freedom comes greater responsibility but that personal growth to really discover yourself is so worth it.
All the best!
1 - Unlearn that grades are everything. While they are important, as it demonstrates an ability to learn new material, it's not what is most important getting out of college. I'm not advocating getting C's but it doesn't need to be straight A's. Combining your grades with experience and application of what you've learned, has greater meaning.
2 - Unlearn that Time management is optional. It's crucial as it goes deep into managing your personal time to ensure your responsibilities are taken care of - class, personal, social, and professional interests. Being able to handle multiple priorities should undoubtedly catch the eye of an interviewer. It shows you are responsible and can handle competing priorities.
3 - Unlearn that your way is the only way things can work. If you are open to learning from others, you'll find different and sometimes better ways to approach or think about situations, conditions, and 'why' to many things.
4 - Unlearn that High School was the way life would always be. You are coming out of 4 years of how life worked. It's no longer the case and you have much more freedom to do what you want and how you want to do it. With that freedom comes greater responsibility but that personal growth to really discover yourself is so worth it.
All the best!
Chin Lee Yeap
CSR and Employee Engagement
14
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Chin Lee’s Answer
Hi Zy'Aire, here are some key points for you:
1) It's okay to fail. I grew up thinking success meant getting straight As, which was stressful. But if things don't work out, that's fine. Learn from mistakes and try new approaches. Use failure as a chance to improve. What's not okay is giving up, because that's when the story ends.
2) With AI and tools like ChatGPT, you have lots of resources available quickly. You don't need to spend ages researching anymore. It's important to develop analytical skills to decide what's useful. You'll get better at this with experience.
1) It's okay to fail. I grew up thinking success meant getting straight As, which was stressful. But if things don't work out, that's fine. Learn from mistakes and try new approaches. Use failure as a chance to improve. What's not okay is giving up, because that's when the story ends.
2) With AI and tools like ChatGPT, you have lots of resources available quickly. You don't need to spend ages researching anymore. It's important to develop analytical skills to decide what's useful. You'll get better at this with experience.
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
316
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
In college, I had to let go of the belief that being good at helping others meant always having the answers or fixing everything myself. Before, I thought supporting others meant always putting them first, even if it drained my energy or crossed my boundaries. But after working with youth, learning about mental health, and balancing school with emotionally challenging environments, I realized that helping isn't about saving people. It's about being there, listening without judgment, and connecting them to the right support while also caring for myself.
This new perspective changed how I handle school and work. I used to pressure myself to be perfect in grades, work, and always being available emotionally. Over time, I learned that burnout doesn't help anyone. Setting boundaries, asking for help, and accepting that growth takes time made me more effective and present in the roles I value. In fields like social work and healthcare, maintaining emotional balance is as important as being compassionate.
This new perspective changed how I handle school and work. I used to pressure myself to be perfect in grades, work, and always being available emotionally. Over time, I learned that burnout doesn't help anyone. Setting boundaries, asking for help, and accepting that growth takes time made me more effective and present in the roles I value. In fields like social work and healthcare, maintaining emotional balance is as important as being compassionate.