0.0s
If you could go back to college, what would you tell your younger self? Hello, this is Yoojin. I'm a 33-year-old management consultant based in Boston. Today, I bring you all the way to Bay Area, where I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2014. In this video, let's explore the 10 lessons I wish I knew back then
1.6s
what would you tell
2.6s
your younger self?
4.1s
Hello, this is Yoojin.
5.8s
I'm a 33-year-old
7.1s
management consultant
8.4s
based in Boston.
9.8s
Today, I bring you
11.2s
all the way
12.1s
to Bay Area,
13.3s
where I graduated
14.2s
from UC Berkeley in 2014.
16.2s
In this video,
17.3s
let's explore the 10 lessons
19.0s
I wish I knew
20.2s
back then
20.8s
about life, growth, and what truly matters in the end. So the plan for today is I will walk you through campus and I'll show you around some of my favorite places where I have memories. I hope to unpack some lessons I've learned and takeaways from my time here at Berkeley. I've now walked about five
22.2s
and what truly matters
23.8s
in the end.
25.1s
So the plan for today is
26.7s
I will walk you through campus and
28.7s
I'll show you around
29.7s
some of my favorite places
31.2s
where I have memories.
32.6s
I hope to unpack
34.3s
some lessons I've learned and takeaways from
36.8s
my time here at Berkeley.
38.6s
I've now walked about five
39.8s
minutes from Shattuck and we're on the outskirts of the campus. I don't know if you can see it because of all the lights. This is the Haas School of Business it's a school that rejected me many many years ago and I cried so much. It wasn't meant to be Your failures might be redirections. I thought getting into
41.7s
we're on the
42.2s
outskirts of the campus.
44.2s
I don't know if you can see it
45.4s
because of all the lights.
46.9s
This is the Haas School of Business
49.6s
it's a school
50.5s
that rejected me
51.7s
many many years ago
53.2s
and I cried so much.
54.9s
It wasn't meant to be
56.1s
Your failures might be redirections.
58.9s
I thought getting into
59.9s
Haas Business School in college was everything. That was the cool kids. We called it actually hassholes if you get it. After a year of perfect grades and resume padding, I felt like an utter failure and a piece of st when I didn't get in. They even denied my appeal. But looking back, if I had majored in business
61.4s
was everything.
62.4s
That was the cool kids.
63.8s
We called it actually
65.4s
hassholes if you get it.
67.3s
After a year of perfect grades
68.8s
and resume padding,
70.0s
I felt like an
71.0s
utter failure
72.2s
and a piece of st
73.2s
when I didn't get in.
74.5s
They even denied my appeal.
76.1s
But looking back,
77.0s
if I had majored in business
78.6s
in undergrad and not in statistics, I actually would have missed out on the three chances you get in getting the H-1B work visa as an international. And if I had not majored in economics, I would not have had this once-in-a-life opportunity to give the graduating speech.
79.3s
and not in statistics,
81.2s
I actually would have missed out on
83.0s
the three chances you get
84.3s
in getting the
84.9s
H-1B work visa
86.1s
as an international.
87.2s
And if I had not
88.7s
majored in economics,
89.8s
I would not have had
90.9s
this once-in-a-life opportunity
92.6s
to give the graduating speech.
98.4s
So yeah, it will all work out for you in the end. Also this feeling like a failure fueled me to apply to business schools at 27 and I was accepted to multiple schools choosing to go to Wharton that offered me scholarship. Sometimes not getting what you want leads you to what is much better for you.
99.3s
it will all
99.8s
work out for you
100.7s
in the end.
101.5s
Also this feeling like a failure
103.4s
fueled me to apply to
105.1s
business schools
105.9s
at 27
106.9s
and I was accepted to
108.3s
multiple schools
109.3s
choosing to go to Wharton
110.4s
that offered me scholarship.
111.9s
Sometimes
112.7s
not getting what you want
114.1s
leads you
114.9s
to what is much
116.6s
better for you.
118.3s
Wait, I think this is new. Wow! Remember how I told you that I've been in therapy for the past 10 years with the same therapist? This is where it all happened. The University Health Tang Center. It's like such an odd feeling. Some parts feel familiar but I don't recognize most of these buildings. Maybe if I go on
119.0s
this is new.
120.1s
Wow!
122.8s
Remember how I told you that
124.1s
I've been in therapy for
125.5s
the past 10 years
126.5s
with the same therapist?
128.4s
This is where it all happened.
130.2s
The University
130.9s
Health Tang Center.
132.8s
It's like such an odd feeling.
134.7s
Some parts feel familiar but
137.3s
I don't recognize
138.4s
most of these buildings.
139.6s
Maybe if I go on
140.5s
actual campus I'll see a bit more. Life will not be linear. When I was in school, I saw life like a game. Graduate, land that great job, get promoted and settle down in a city. Instead, I've had 3 jobs lived in 9 cities and even started my own company before going back to consulting. Life is unpredictable
141.6s
I'll see a bit more.
143.8s
Life will not be linear.
145.2s
When I was in school,
146.4s
I saw life like a game.
148.7s
Graduate, land that great job,
150.6s
get promoted and
151.6s
settle down in a city.
153.0s
Instead,
153.6s
I've had
154.2s
3 jobs
155.2s
lived in 9 cities
156.3s
and even started my
157.4s
own company
158.2s
before going back to consulting.
160.0s
Life is unpredictable
161.4s
and that's okay. What matters is asking yourself, Is this the direction I want to go? not the destination, but the direction. Because the journey is just as important. That was my dorm from freshman year Wow! Yogurt Park is still here since 1977. In my econ class, Professor Olney talked about Yogurt Park as an example and used
162.4s
What matters is
163.3s
asking yourself,
164.3s
Is this the direction
165.3s
I want to go?
166.1s
not the destination,
167.5s
but the direction.
168.9s
Because the journey
169.9s
is just as important.
172.2s
That was my dorm
173.4s
from freshman year
175.6s
Wow!
176.7s
Yogurt Park is still here
178.5s
since 1977.
181.0s
In my econ class,
182.3s
Professor Olney talked about
184.3s
Yogurt Park as an example
186.0s
and used
186.8s
this place to help me understand supply and demand. Maybe we'll pick a treat for a second. Let's do the Irish Mint. Would you recommend the main blueberry? Unorthodox combo but sure. Yeah, I like it. Oh okay, thank you. I'll give it a shot. Thank you. Thank you so much! They were so sweet. I actually didn't think
187.9s
to help me understand
189.1s
supply and demand.
190.5s
Maybe we'll pick a treat
191.6s
for a second.
192.9s
Let's do the Irish Mint.
194.9s
Would you recommend the main blueberry?
196.6s
Unorthodox combo
198.1s
but sure.
198.7s
Yeah, I like it.
199.4s
Oh okay, thank you.
200.7s
I'll give it a shot. Thank you.
201.9s
Thank you so much!
204.9s
They were so sweet.
206.3s
I actually didn't think
207.3s
I was gonna like it this much It's really good. Glad I did the toppings. Yup. this looks pretty typical for Berkeley. Now we're really getting close to campus. Ah! I can't believe it! Words have power. In 2023, I posted a video when I was in my Korean high school. About wanting to do a 10 year trip
208.5s
It's really good.
210.0s
Glad I did the toppings.
211.8s
Yup.
212.9s
this looks pretty typical
214.3s
for Berkeley.
217.5s
Now we're really
218.0s
getting close to campus.
220.5s
Ah!
223.2s
I can't believe it!
225.2s
Words have power.
227.1s
In 2023, I posted a video
229.2s
when I was in my Korean high school.
230.9s
About wanting to do
231.9s
a 10 year trip
232.8s
back to Berkeley. I honestly wasn't sure whether I'll end up in California at all, because all my travels were in the East Coast, South and Europe for the past 12 months. So California was not in my plan. I didn't plan to be here, but my words shaped my actions. So be mindful with what
233.9s
I honestly wasn't sure
235.5s
whether I'll end up
236.2s
in California at all,
237.4s
because all my travels
239.0s
were in the East Coast,
240.4s
South and Europe
241.9s
for the past 12 months.
243.0s
So California was not in my plan.
245.2s
I didn't plan to be here,
246.3s
but my words shaped my actions.
248.5s
So be mindful
249.6s
with what
249.9s
you put out into the world, they might just come true. That's where I went to get my transcripts. Oh man, kind of odd not having so many people here. This is where I used to get my breakfast all the time. Too bad it's closed. Be alone too. I used to feel self-conscious doing things alone in school,
251.5s
they might just come true.
255.3s
That's where I went
255.9s
to get my transcripts.
258.9s
Oh man,
259.9s
kind of odd
260.6s
not having so many people here.
262.5s
This is where I used to
263.4s
get my breakfast
264.3s
all the time.
265.7s
Too bad it's closed.
268.0s
Be alone too.
269.2s
I used to feel self-conscious
271.0s
doing things alone
271.7s
in school,
272.2s
like going to yogurt park while everyone else was in line with friends. But Berkeley taught me that confidence isn't just about socializing, it's about being comfortable in your own company. Learning to enjoy time alone is a skill that will serve you for the rest of your life. Now look at me, flying across the country
273.5s
while everyone else was in line
275.0s
with friends.
275.8s
But Berkeley taught me
277.2s
that confidence isn't just
278.7s
about socializing,
280.0s
it's about being
280.7s
comfortable in your own company.
283.0s
Learning to enjoy time alone
284.5s
is a skill that will serve you
286.2s
for the rest of your life.
287.8s
Now look at me,
288.9s
flying across the country
290.1s
to film myself solo. Woo hoo! This is where I had a lot of my humanities classes. That's me! Class of 2014 exactly 10 years ago. I wonder if it's open. Oh, nope. Maybe because it's so sunny and nice out and Boston its freaking cold. Yeah, the campus is actually beautiful. It's quite therapeutic. Walking around
292.0s
Woo hoo!
292.8s
This is where I had a lot of my
294.3s
humanities classes.
296.0s
That's me!
297.6s
Class of 2014
299.0s
exactly 10 years ago.
301.3s
I wonder if it's open.
303.8s
Oh, nope.
305.2s
Maybe because it's so
306.9s
sunny and nice out
308.3s
and Boston its freaking cold.
309.8s
Yeah, the campus is
310.8s
actually beautiful.
312.4s
It's quite therapeutic.
314.0s
Walking around
314.9s
in a place that I don't belong anymore. Ask for help. I'm not going to lie, I'm quite an intense person. That's probably why I've survived 7 years and counting in consulting. I used to think success meant giving 100, 1000 to everything. Your grades, your internship, job opportunities, and even clubs in school. But being always on
315.6s
I don't belong anymore.
317.4s
Ask for help.
318.6s
I'm not going to lie,
319.8s
I'm quite an intense person.
322.2s
That's probably why I've survived
323.7s
7 years and counting
325.4s
in consulting.
326.3s
I used to think success meant
328.1s
giving 100,
329.7s
1000 to everything.
331.6s
Your grades, your internship,
333.7s
job opportunities,
334.8s
and even
335.6s
clubs in school.
336.6s
But being always on
338.3s
is the fastest way to burn out. Give yourself a break, a moment to breathe, and just be. The irony about asking for help is it's not a sign of weakness. It's actually a strength and a skill. Whether it's therapy, mentors, or just honest boba conversations with a friend, do what you need to do
340.2s
Give yourself a break,
341.3s
a moment to breathe,
342.5s
and just be.
343.7s
The irony about asking
344.7s
for help is
345.5s
it's not a sign of weakness.
347.1s
It's actually
347.8s
a strength
348.5s
and a skill.
349.2s
Whether it's
349.7s
therapy, mentors,
351.1s
or just honest
352.3s
boba conversations
353.1s
with a friend,
353.9s
do what you need to do
355.2s
to get the support you want. This was my typical walk to the library. Here we go. Here's the iconic Campanile.
359.1s
This was my typical walk
360.8s
to the library.
362.6s
Here we go.
363.8s
Here's the iconic
364.7s
Campanile.
370.2s
No one told me it's so pretty like that. Explore while you can. Oh, I should have gone on when I was a student. I thought I would this time, but it looks like it's closed. There are so many things I could have done, but didn't. Like taking more weird classes, falling in love more.
371.3s
so pretty like that.
373.4s
Explore while you can.
374.9s
Oh, I should have gone on
376.3s
when I was a student.
377.9s
I thought I would this time,
379.2s
but it looks like it's closed.
380.8s
There are so many things
382.0s
I could have done, but didn't.
384.1s
Like taking more weird classes,
386.3s
falling in love more.
387.8s
College is one of the few times in life when you have endless opportunities to explore. Do it now. Also your .edu email opens so many doors and people are more willing to chat with you. When I first came to Berkeley, someone told me that if you step on this round circle, it's bad luck
388.6s
few times in life
389.7s
when you have endless
391.0s
opportunities to explore.
392.5s
Do it now.
393.9s
Also your .edu email
396.1s
opens so many doors
397.5s
and people are more willing
398.6s
to chat with you.
400.0s
When I first came to Berkeley,
401.5s
someone told me
402.3s
that if you
402.7s
step on this round circle,
404.4s
it's bad luck
405.0s
and you're not gonna get your 4.0. But you know what? There's actually more to life than just grades. But you know, little Yoojin cared a little too much about grades would cry over an A-. Looking back, it's really not a big deal. Let's take a break over here. That's a great spot for a photoshoot.
406.2s
your 4.0.
406.9s
But you know what?
409.9s
There's actually more to life
411.3s
than just grades.
412.5s
But you know,
413.4s
little Yoojin
414.1s
cared a little too much
414.8s
about grades
415.7s
would cry over an A-.
417.9s
Looking back,
418.5s
it's really not a big deal.
420.1s
Let's take a break over here.
425.6s
That's a great spot
426.7s
for a photoshoot.
428.5s
This is one of our most famous library, the Doe Library. I've been there a few times but I don't think I've studied there quiet often. Let's go ahead inside. I have my backpack, my little hoodie. Hopefully it will do for today. That was actually one of my favorites places to study. It's the Asian American Library
429.3s
most famous library,
430.6s
the Doe Library.
431.5s
I've been there a few times
432.8s
but I don't think I've studied there
434.4s
quiet often.
434.9s
Let's go ahead inside.
436.2s
I have my backpack,
437.7s
my little hoodie.
438.8s
Hopefully
439.4s
it will do for today.
440.8s
That was actually one of my
441.8s
favorites places to study.
443.4s
It's the Asian American Library
444.7s
from what I remember. Not a lot of people knew about it. So the books were clean and the inside is very modern. You will learn, and forget a lot. At some point, I memorized endless formulas, Yeah I totally understand. history facts, and had a crazy good memory. Now, I would have to think hard
445.5s
Not a lot of people
446.3s
knew about it.
447.1s
So the books were clean
448.3s
and the inside is very modern.
452.3s
You will learn,
453.2s
and forget a lot.
454.8s
At some point,
455.7s
I memorized
456.8s
endless formulas,
458.2s
Yeah I
458.8s
totally understand.
459.8s
history facts,
460.6s
and had a crazy
461.6s
good memory.
462.4s
Now,
463.0s
I would have to think hard
464.6s
just to draw a simple supply and demand curve. What sticks with you, isn't the facts. But your ability to learn, adapt and think critically. Focus on building these skills. Not just memorizing information. I think one of my regrets from college days is that I probably spent way too much time in the library and I mean it because
466.0s
supply and demand curve.
467.7s
What sticks with you,
468.9s
isn't the facts.
470.2s
But your ability
471.8s
to learn,
472.6s
adapt
473.3s
and think critically.
475.1s
Focus on
475.7s
building these skills.
476.8s
Not just
477.6s
memorizing information.
480.1s
I think one of my regrets
481.4s
from college days
482.6s
is that
483.1s
I probably spent
483.8s
way too much time
484.7s
in the library
485.5s
and I mean it because
486.7s
in a way I wasn't studying very effectively. For instance, there's an exam in a few days, my study plan would essentially be read all the chapters, review all my notes, go through all the slides. I could have saved all that time by just resolving all the questions from past exams and focusing on what really matters. Because school
488.4s
very effectively.
489.5s
For instance,
490.2s
there's an exam in a few days,
492.1s
my study plan would essentially be
494.1s
read all the chapters,
495.1s
review all my notes,
496.4s
go through all the slides.
497.8s
I could have saved
498.6s
all that time
499.5s
by just
500.3s
resolving all the questions
502.2s
from past exams and
503.3s
focusing on
503.8s
what really matters.
505.0s
Because school
506.0s
is not in season and there's no one around here, it's so peaceful and nice. I'm actually enjoying being here. I guess because none of this matters anymore. Learn how to network. I was part of a sorority, lived in the dorms all four years, and did my best to meet as many types of personalities as possible.
507.5s
no one around here,
508.5s
it's so peaceful
509.2s
and nice.
509.8s
I'm actually
510.6s
enjoying being here.
511.4s
I guess because
512.2s
none of this
512.7s
matters anymore.
514.0s
Learn how to network.
516.0s
I was part of a sorority,
517.3s
lived in the dorms
518.3s
all four years,
519.2s
and did my best
520.2s
to meet as many
521.5s
types of personalities as possible.
523.6s
Because at the end of the day, I knew that life is about the people and the connections you build. In college, you are surrounded by thousands of potential lifelong connections. There is no other opportunity in your life, or at least it's very rare that you get to surround yourself with so many people your age.
525.1s
I knew that life is about the people
527.5s
and the connections you build.
528.9s
In college,
529.6s
you are surrounded by
530.7s
thousands of potential
531.7s
lifelong connections.
533.0s
There is no other opportunity
535.6s
in your life,
536.4s
or at least it's very rare
537.9s
that you get to surround yourself
539.2s
with so many people your age.
541.3s
Say yes to more meetups, conversations, and chances to build relationships. This is how I landed my jobs, investment opportunities, and friends I still connect with. I was thinking about this, like why do I feel so comfortable being around here? I don't remember having such a great time in school. and it felt like I was competing for attention,
543.4s
conversations,
544.2s
and chances to build relationships.
546.4s
This is how I landed
548.0s
my jobs,
548.8s
investment opportunities,
550.3s
and friends I still connect with.
552.1s
I was thinking about this,
553.3s
like why do I feel so
554.9s
comfortable being around here?
556.3s
I don't remember having such a
557.5s
great time in school.
558.7s
and it felt like
559.4s
I was competing for attention,
561.1s
competing for space. But now I feel like I am moving past that I was talking with my therapist the other day, if you had the choice to turn back time, would you go back to your college years? No, not for me. I just had a lot of anxiety, worries. At one point I remember walking through that stairs
562.5s
But now
563.3s
I feel like I am moving past that
564.9s
I was talking with my
565.7s
therapist the other day,
567.1s
if you had the choice
568.3s
to turn back time,
569.2s
would you go back
569.9s
to your college years?
571.7s
No,
572.1s
not for me.
572.6s
I just had a lot of anxiety,
575.2s
worries.
576.0s
At one point
577.0s
I remember walking through
578.4s
that stairs
579.3s
in front of the Doe Library. Someone asked me do you need a hug? because I was crying. It was that bad. My life right now is is not perfect I have a lot of uncertainties and I think this year will be especially important for me in terms of work, relationships, and health. And as I think about
579.8s
Doe Library.
580.5s
Someone asked me
581.4s
do you need a hug?
582.5s
because I was
583.4s
crying.
583.9s
It was
584.6s
that bad.
585.4s
My life right now is
586.1s
is not perfect
586.8s
I have a lot of
587.8s
uncertainties and
588.9s
I think this year
589.7s
will be especially important
590.8s
for me
591.3s
in terms of
591.9s
work,
592.4s
relationships, and health.
593.6s
And as I think about
595.1s
why I appreciate being here, apart from the great sun, the calm, peaceful beautiful campus. It's a good reminder that, I want to continue living a youthful life. A life where it's okay to have worries it's not perfect, but I continue to put myself out there, exert good energy so that I make space for good things
596.9s
apart from the great sun,
598.3s
the calm, peaceful
599.5s
beautiful campus.
600.4s
It's a good reminder that,
602.1s
I want to
602.6s
continue living
603.6s
a youthful life.
604.6s
A life where
605.8s
it's okay to have worries
607.2s
it's not perfect,
608.1s
but I continue to
609.4s
put myself out there,
610.7s
exert good energy
612.1s
so that
612.4s
I make space
613.4s
for good things
614.2s
to come to my life. Friends come and go. Since 10 years after graduating, I keep in touch with four friends. I actually counted. Life gets busy. Jobs, moves, relationships. I'm not saying that you should not care too much about friends. It's actually the other way around. Because you guys can drift apart, cherish each moment that you are
615.7s
Friends come and go.
616.8s
Since 10 years
617.6s
after graduating,
618.8s
I keep in touch
619.4s
with four friends.
621.3s
I actually counted.
622.5s
Life gets busy.
623.7s
Jobs, moves, relationships.
625.8s
I'm not saying that you should
627.3s
not care too much about friends.
628.9s
It's actually the other way around.
630.6s
Because you guys can drift apart,
632.9s
cherish each moment
634.4s
that you are
634.8s
close and together. Some will last, some will not, and that is okay. What matters is being present while you have them. This ugly brick building is Evans Hall. Basically this is where I had all my math and econ classes. Cherish where you are. Enjoy the city around you. Love every single day you are alive. Someone else
636.0s
Some will last,
637.0s
some will not,
638.1s
and that is okay.
639.1s
What matters is
639.8s
being present while you have them.
641.8s
This ugly
642.9s
brick building
644.1s
is Evans Hall.
645.6s
Basically this is where I had
647.2s
all my math and econ classes.
649.0s
Cherish where you are.
650.5s
Enjoy the city around you.
652.1s
Love every single day
653.7s
you are alive.
654.6s
Someone else
655.5s
would have loved to be where you are. Looking back, I wish I had appreciated the moment more, instead of always looking ahead. Wherever you are, make the most of it. I took the Bart 20 minutes to see San Francisco on the weekends. I went on many dates there and have good memories. Still single, but you know,
656.1s
to be where you are.
657.1s
Looking back,
657.9s
I wish I had
658.8s
appreciated the moment
660.2s
more,
660.9s
instead of always looking ahead.
662.5s
Wherever you are,
663.7s
make the most of it.
665.1s
I took the Bart 20 minutes to see
666.7s
San Francisco on the weekends.
668.3s
I went on many dates there
669.7s
and have good memories.
670.9s
Still single,
671.7s
but you know,
673.0s
good times. If I could go back, I'd tell myself, those moments you think you're falling behind, they're actually preparing you for something better. Trust me. The best parts of life are the ones you never saw coming. So keep exploring, take those risks, be present. Because somehow, it will all work out in the end. Thank you for watching
673.8s
If I could go back,
674.9s
I'd tell myself,
675.9s
those moments you think
677.2s
you're falling behind,
678.2s
they're actually
678.9s
preparing you for something
680.6s
better.
681.0s
Trust me.
681.7s
The best parts of life
682.8s
are the ones you never saw coming.
684.8s
So keep exploring,
686.5s
take those risks,
687.7s
be present.
688.5s
Because somehow,
689.9s
it will all
690.5s
work out in the end.
692.1s
Thank you for watching
693.1s
and come back to my next video topic on...
693.8s
to my next video topic on...
