If I was a student again, I’d do this

Approaching University as a Video Game [00:50]

• University life can be conceptualized as an open-world video game.
• There's a main quest line that leads to graduation.
• Numerous "side quests" branch off the main story line, offering diverse experiences.
• Examples of side quests include sports, clubs, music, theater, and even extracurricular activities like directing pantomimes.

The speaker suggests viewing university as a video game, emphasizing that beyond the primary academic path to graduation, students can and should engage in various optional activities or "side quests." These pursuits, ranging from sports to arts, offer opportunities for growth and a richer experience.

"So, being a student is like playing an open world video game."

The Four Objectives of University [02:42]

• There are four main objectives for being a student.
• Objective 1: Enjoy the experience, as this is a unique period of freedom before adult responsibilities.
• Objective 2: Learn stuff, encompassing both knowledge and practical skills relevant to future careers.
• Objective 3: Obtain the certificate, which improves job prospects and acts as a badge of credibility.
• Objective 4: Make friends and network, which are crucial for personal and professional growth.

The video outlines four fundamental goals for students pursuing higher education: savoring the limited time of freedom, acquiring valuable knowledge and skills, securing a degree that enhances career opportunities, and building a network of contacts. These objectives collectively contribute to a well-rounded and successful university experience.

"So, the four points of university. We want to enjoy the experience. We want to learn stuff in the sense of knowledge and skills. We want to get the certificate so that it enhances our job prospects and we want to make friends/network."

The Importance of High-Income Skills [13:36]

• The primary goal is to reliably make money as an adult for financial security.
• Not all learned skills directly translate to high income. For example, playing guitar or chess, while enjoyable, are generally low-income skills unless pursued at a professional or elite level.
• Skills like coding, copywriting, sales, AI proficiency, and data analysis are identified as high-income skills.
• These skills directly improve one's odds of earning significant income in the job market or through entrepreneurship.
• Learning to code, for instance, unlocks opportunities in the tech industry with high salaries or allows for building software businesses.
• UI/UX design is another high-income skill, with tech companies actively seeking skilled designers.
• Combining skills, such as coding and design, creates highly valuable "full-stack engineers."

The speaker argues that certain skills, like coding or design, offer significantly higher earning potential than others, such as playing an instrument or chess, unless pursued professionally. Focusing on these "high-income skills" through side quests during university is presented as a strategic move to secure future financial well-being and career success.

"Now, does having the skill of coding improve your odds of making money as an adult in the real world? Yes, it absolutely freaking does, right? Of course it does."

Strategic Side Quests for Career Advancement [19:54]

• Engaging in side quests should be strategic, focusing on skills that enhance marketability.
• Activities like nightclubbing, while potentially social, do not typically level up income-generating skills.
• Side quests should be chosen to develop "high-income skills" (HIS).
• Examples of HIS include coding, copywriting, sales, AI utilization, statistics, and data analysis.
• These skills equip individuals to add value in the marketplace, solving problems people are willing to pay for.

The advice is to approach university side quests with a focus on developing skills that directly contribute to earning potential. Unlike activities that may be fun but offer little professional advantage, pursuing high-income skills through side quests significantly boosts employability and financial prospects in the capitalist world.

"So, I would say please do some side quest to level up high- income skills."

University as a Scaffolding for Skill Development [22:43]

• University and college serve as a scaffolding, providing a period for learning and personal development.
• The primary purpose of university is not solely the degree or graduation itself, but the opportunity to learn and grow.
• Students have abundant free time during university, which is often underestimated compared to the demands of a full-time job.
• By leveraging this time to develop high-income skills, students become "weapons" in the job market, far more attractive than those who only focus on the main quest.
• This strategic skill development ensures students can add value, solve problems, and ultimately make money as adults.

University is presented not just as an institution for obtaining a degree, but as a crucial developmental period. The ample free time available to students should be actively used to acquire high-income skills, thereby transforming them into highly valuable and employable individuals ready to contribute to the marketplace.

"In many ways, the point of university is not the degree. The point is not graduation. The point of university and college is that it's a scaffolding."