It’s hard to believe that an entire year has passed since I embarked on my master’s program. This journey has been nothing short of exciting and transformative. Over the course of the next two posts (including this one), I would love to share some valuable insights and lessons I have gained during my first year. Throughout each post, I will delve into distinct topics, illuminating my personal experiences.

Part 1: Academics

One of the key motivations behind my decision to pursue higher studies abroad was to prioritize my academic growth. Now while the academic quality exceeded my expectations, what truly stood out to me was the impact of the conversations I had with professors. These discussions proved to be more transformative and life-changing than the actual teachings themselves.

Here, I would like to share a few key learnings that have significantly impacted my perspective, proving to be more valuable than the studies themselves.

1. Confidence is born through action and attempts!

When we are faced with tasks or challenges given to us by a higher authority (might be a professor or our boss), we often feel compelled to excel within the given timeframe. This same sense of determination carried over into my assignments during my undergraduate studies. However, the assignments were not too challenging. Thus, I encountered moments where I struggled to complete extracurricular projects and found myself losing confidence and motivation, easily shifting from one task to another.

Fortunately for me, it was through encountering complex assignments that I experienced a profound shift in perspective. These challenging tasks played a crucial role in boosting my confidence and empowering me to tackle any obstacle head-on. Rather than succumbing to the temptation of opting for easier projects, I embraced the chance for personal growth.

Changing my mindset from “It’s difficult, I should probably do a simpler task” to “I know I am not the best in the game, but with sufficient time and effort, I can crack it” was an extremely positive transition for me.

2. Work with what you have!

One of the most important lessons I learned was the importance of not waiting for others and instead relying on my own resources to complete my tasks and assignments. In the past, when working on projects, particularly in a team setting, I would often find myself waiting for my teammates to complete their tasks before I could proceed with mine. This often resulted in a frustrating cycle of delays and bottlenecks.

However, thanks to the guidance of one of my professors, I realized the significance of not depending on others’ progress to accomplish my own work. This lesson proved to be invaluable. For example, if I required specific data for my code that was not yet available, I learned to generate my own dummy data and get things up and running. Eventually, I could replace the placeholder data with the actual information.

This principle goes beyond coding; it extends to distributing responsibilities among friends or roommates as well. By working with what you have and not relying on others, you can significantly expedite tasks and processes.

3. The cycle of trust and responsibility

Another valuable lesson I learned was the interconnectedness of responsibility and trust. This revelation came to me through advice given by yet another one of the professors, which completely changed my perspective. In previous work experiences, I often questioned why I didn’t receive high-quality assignments or tasks. However, I came to realize that it was because I hadn’t taken the initiative to assume more responsibility and demonstrate my potential. Without realizing potential, why would anyone be trusted with more work?

This principle applies not only to professional settings but also to academics as well as personal growth. It may be your reading habit, singing hobby, or painting skills; if we don’t actively take on responsibility and go beyond the assigned tasks, we limit our growth and potential. Only by actively embracing responsibility and showing promise, we pave the way for academic and professional development.

There is still a lot left to improve upon, but the lessons I learned have already impacted my life significantly. By sharing my experiences, others can learn from them and apply them in their own lives. Stay tuned for Part 2!