<p><em>what follows is not an assault, I’m just trying to help someone else sort out their thoughts</em></p>
<p>I’m just curious to know something. When applying to a place like Harvard, do any of you think about what it will be like once you get there? I mean things like pulling x number of consecutive “all nighters” and being perpetually stressed out from work overload. Going from number 1 in the class to bottom of the scrap. Being surrounded by people who are for the most part as smart as you or smarter. Everyone being extremely talented at something outside of the classroom etc. etc. etc. I mean, after a few months this stuff gets to you doesn’t it? I know there are some people who will go into thriving mode and all, but for the most part do many people think about what it’s like to be in survival mode for the months on end? If you can identify with what I’ve described, then explain to me how you convince yourself that continuing to pursue that path for 4yrs is worth it. I mean feeling like trash for 4 yrs isn’t exactly a nice thing.</p>
<p>some applicants..almost all of them infact!!!! strive for and live in competetion
i mean u know u r good but how much?
can u handle urself amongst the elite college goers???
the real question and the anwer itself lies there
n u always want to be better n good competetion is definetely an upthrust.
i applied there because i want to b better me</p>
<p>some applicants..almost all of them infact!!!! strive for and live in competetion
i mean u know u r good but how much?
can u handle urself amongst the elite college goers???
the real question and the anwer itself lies there
n u always want to be better n good competetion is definetely an upthrust.
i applied there because i want to challenge myself</p>
<p>"I mean things like pulling x number of consecutive "all nighters" and being perpetually stressed out from work overload. Going from number 1 in the class to bottom of the scrap. Being surrounded by people who are for the most part as smart as you or smarter. Everyone being extremely talented at something outside of the classroom etc. etc. etc. "</p>
<p>I'm a person who responds relatively well to competition and pressure from the class. I'm hoping that instead of considering your gifted classmates as burdensome, try learning something from them. The fact that you're surrounded by incredibly gifted students should be a blessing, not a curse. If you're not prepared to deal with that, then Harvard is most definitely not the place for you.</p>
<p>Yes, that sounded incredibly cheesy, but I believe it.</p>
<p>my sentiments exactly, ubercollegeman....college isn't like high school where everyone competes for that coveted "A" or the top rank in school. Believe it or not, the actual process of LEARNING, yes, lol i said learning- is more important than getting straight A's. Although I'm not saying that Harvard students don't care about grades, they don't flip out over the occasional B+ or two.</p>
<p>hey sorry to be an invader on this board, but I couldn't help replying coz I understand what you mean Akino. I do thrive on competition etc. but sometimes I wonder if that type of pressure IS the type of environment that fosters the best learning? I guess you look at both sides of it... think the fact that u will probably grow from the challenge etc. wins out in the end. but your concerns are legitimate and i know many ppl that feel the same way!</p>
<p>I couldn't think of anything I would want to do more. Besides, it's the same everywhere; not just Harvard. The fact that I will be the dumbest person there (from my perspective) isn't anything to complain about. That's why I applied there - so I could meet people with whom I actually want to talk.</p>
<p>And as far as workload is concerned....MIT is far worse.</p>
<p>competition? im DYING for competition..all my life i've been studyin in skools where i havent been able to actually show my full potential.. cant wait to do that!!! :)</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, I can actually say that 1st of all, Harvard isn't really like that. The OP said that the environment would "get to you" after a few months ... well it's December, I've been through a few months (midterms included) and I haven't noticed anyone pulling their hair out or having nervous breakdowns. I'm not in "survival mode" - nor is anyone else I know. Being surrounded by extremely talented, motivated people is inspiring, not intimidating - unless you're very insecure. </p>
<p>And as for the cutthroat competition myth that's so often implied, I think you'd all be very surprised at how much we help each other. </p>
<p>And just as a final note, more often than not, having to pull an all-nighter is a result of procrastination, not a crazy workload.</p>