Procrastination to Productivity
If “high school me” could get a glimpse of who I’ve become in college, he’d probably do a double-take due to how much I’ve changed physically and mentally.
In high school, procrastination was always my go-to destination. Assignments due in two weeks were basically invisible until the night before. This was normal though, and no one really stressed about it either. We all put together a submission last minute. So naturally, I took that same approach into my first year at USC.
That was a huge mistake.
Once I stepped into classes like Physics 151 and Intro to Aerospace Engineering, I realized quickly that those long deadlines were not a courtesy. They were literally a warning. These weren’t assignments like high school that you could knock out in a few hours. The deadline was designed far in advance because the assignment needed that amount of time. My old habits didn’t cut it, and I had to level up my game if I wanted to survive the grueling grind of freshman year.
High School tests vs. College Tests
Another major wake-up call was studying.
Tests were pretty straightforward in high school. They were based only on what was taught in class. If you paid attention and reviewed notes, you were essentially expected to pass. But in college, especially in STEM, tests don’t just ask you to regurgitate information. Professors often throw huge curveballs and twist concepts that you have learned, which forces you to apply them in new ways during tests.
Of course, it isn’t impossible, but it requires a new study mindset. One that I did not have until after I witnessed the trend on exams. I had to practice problem-solving in different contexts, figure out why formulas worked, and prepare for anything. This shift in studying was one of my greatest surprises when I look back and think about high school.
Foodie Adventures in LA
Coming from Florida, I didn’t grow up surrounded by the same diversity in culture and food. I now make it my mission at least 2 times a month to explore new spots in LA. And just for your information, the Mexican food here is next-level. Finding those hole-in-the-wall places, and trying new dishes is one of my favorite parts of living here. It’s a fun adventure every time I find a new pop-up stand.
Engineering Mindset in Everyday Life
Maybe the funniest (and nerdiest) example of my college glow-up happened during move-out season last year.
I had rented a small storage unit, and was worried that everything wouldn’t fit from my apartment. “High school me” would have just thrown stuff in and hoped for the best. “College me” opened CAD software, modeled the storage unit by dimension, measured all of my boxes, and virtually “packed” my unit before even stepping inside. It worked perfectly and everything fit with zero stress and no wasted time.
That small moment showed me how much I’ve changed. I have learned to take ideas and turn them into something tangible. I’ve become more detail-oriented and process-driven.
