Friendly Advice to College Dropouts

It’s 2020. Industries like software development no longer require a degree to work in, but how to proceed to receive an education appropriate to our modern times?

First of all, there is no one-size-fits-all program that can leverage your individual strengths: it’s an experimentation process where you get to try and see what works for you. The more you try, the more answers will appear to you.

That being said, I think there are a few points to take into account in your custom program.

No matter how well you think you know yourself and the world around you, you need to internalize how vast the world is and how little you understand it. Never stay contempt with what you know and keep seeking new truths. Doubt your beliefs and live without dogma. It’s only once you learn to unlearn that your mind is ready to perform its metamorphosis.

Then, you need to understand the importance of consistency, attention, and flexibility. Life in society is filled with distractions. A top performer knows how to navigate this chaos with discipline but without rigidity. She will consequently focus on developing habits to nurture the mind, the body, and the soul. This is where you learn how to study and practice any craft.

You become a blank canvas capable of infinite potential, free to tackle any domain of expertise you want. You might consider marketable skills at the crossroads between what benefits society, what pays, and your personal interests. But I’d argue any personal interest of yours can turn into a remunerated activity that will add value to others, as long as you do not limit yourself to traditional job descriptions.

After that, there is no secret: you must seek mastery in your domain and prove it with concrete projects. Documenting your journey is also an incredible asset, so I can’t stress enough how important it is to develop a writing habit as early as possible.