Juan David's Newsletter - January 30, 2022
What gets punished in school gets rewarded in the real world
Ok, storytime.
What gets punished in school gets rewarded in the real world
I’m being forced…, I mean, required to take this class on Python and Statistics, which mostly covers some basic python and statistics. I don’t know everything but I know about 90%. If I study a little bit, I would pass a proficiency exam.
Me being me decided to find the hidden doors: alternatives that you only get when you ask. Asking is often how you get what you want.
When I first realized I needed to take this class, I emailed the professor. He doesn’t say yes or no. But he tells me to email the administration. I emailed them, and of course, they said no.
Ok, fine. I emailed the professor back to see if we can find an alternative. This time, he mostly says no. I realized I’m going to have to this class but I still think there has to be an alternative.
Last Thursday, I stayed after class and asked the professor again if I could make a project using everything we learn in the class as a way to show what I know and just get the freaking credit.
I learned from my last experience, so I didn’t confront him with that question right off the bat. First, I asked him about his thoughts on cloud computing. Then, I asked him about the proficiency.
1…2…3. BOOM! He explodes!
He starts by saying I’m being unethical for asking him to grade me differently than other students, which I didn’t. I only asked for an alternative to show what I know and get the credit.
Of course, I stopped him right there. I was trying to find another path, a path that focused on real learning and not just getting good grades.
He continues, “If you supposedly know everything. You can take this class and get an A.” I don’t know everything, and the reason why I wanted to get the credit is that I’d rather focus on learning things I don’t know.
I look at him straight into his eyes in silence to the point where he starts mumbling over his words. He’d failed to understand what I said so I had to explain we have different incentives. I want to learn as much as possible and could care less about grades.
But he EXPLODES again…
He moves frantically and starts speaking up. He says, “You’re just frustrated with the system.”
He goes, “You know what? Why are you even at college? Why are you at Illinois [my college]?”
He continues, “DROPOUT! Dropout. Dropout and start a startup. I don’t know why you’re here. I know many people who dropped out and are millionaires. And some who did not make it and came back three years later. You have a business sense and you know how to build stuff. Seriously, think about it.”
Ok? Thanks.
He gets agitated and leaves the room by telling me to join entrepreneurship organizations on campus, and so on.
You know what’s even funnier? I’m taking TWO classes with him. I know, a fantastic way to start the semester. He’s nice though. His other class is my favorite, and I’m learning a lot.
This experience made me think how unsuitable schools are for people like me. It also made me think about the negative correlation between school and the real world.
What gets punished in school gets rewarded in the real world.
Finding the hidden doors is how you get opportunities no one gets. Finding the hidden doors is a way to be an independent individual. Finding the hidden doors is what differentiates the doers from the dreamers.
Ask for what you want. Most people never get what they want because they never ask.
Back in 2016, I watched a video that fundamentally impacted how I go about my life. In the video, Steve talks about the importance of asking and why most people never get extraordinary experiences because they never ask.
Steve shares he got an internship at HP at 12-years-old after calling the founder to get free spare parts to build a frequency counter. Another one is when I worked with startups when I was 15 or when I interviewed Mark Cuban for my book.
But in school, you’ll be punished, they’ll make you think you’re crazy, and make you the farthest thing from an individual.
Ask and you will receive. You will always, always receive and get what you want.
See you next week (I’ll let you know if the professor looks at me weirdly next time haha).
Juan David Campolargo