03/03/2026
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲. ✨
I remember supervising a student on a project. Every few weeks, she had to present her progress. As the project grew harder, many meetings ended with very little progress to show—sometimes nothing at all.
One day, I told her, “You’re a good student. Many others in your situation would make excuses, ask to delay the meetings, or even disappear.”
Her response: “Because it’s my responsibility. And I’m okay with being scolded.”
Over the years, I’ve met many students who would rather take a zero than present something imperfect—who disappear when things get hard. And then there are students like her—who show up, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when the work is not pretty, and even when progress feels slow. 🌱
I told her back then that this mindset of hers would carry her far in life—and it really has. Today, she is pursuing her master’s degree overseas, and likely on her way to a PhD. 🎓
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