The Biggest Mistakes I Made at Harvard College | Ahsante Bean | Ahsante the Artist

[@sunmarsh]

Harvard isn’t the only elitist institution out here telling students to use Google when they have questions. A friend of mine went to a career counselor specific to her major asking for help and was told that “Google is a very powerful tool.”

[@AhsanteB]

WILD. Also, if I’m asking you, I’ve already Googled it! That was the first thing I did! Lol

[@rtlau-mk4di]

I had the same issue at a community college, a non-elitist institution. Some of the people who worked there were absolutely worthless. They either didn't want to answer students' questions or were too incompetent to do so. I guess they don't get paid enough. I switched to Western Governors University for my IT degree. It was the best decision I've made in my life because it will only be a fraction of the cost to get a Bachelors degree at an accredited online school instead of wasting my time commuting so that I can sit in a room listening to someone droning on when I can get the same information explained even better from a book or the Internet. Which school you have your degree from also doesn't matter in the Information Technology field. You can either do the job or you cannot, and you can teach yourself everything you need to know with a basic computer and Internet connection. That's the beauty of it.

[@weicheng5232]

HAH

[@inchulsohn1996]

If all you want is knowledge, you could learn practically anything free online these days. These college don't even help the students with jobs, mental health, or whatever the students are concerned about.

[@uladzimirc5672]

@Ahsante the Artist yes, the corporate product, as well as everything else, made thanks to the concentrated efforts and contributions of thousands of units of intellectual labor will always predominate every single individual simply because that individual can only apply his own power of brain against the consolidated power of thousands of others. That’s the fundamental rules of the nature itself. That’s why there’s nothing wrong when a man with a brilliant intelligence represents Google as something far superior to his intellectual abilities.

[@pbriffy]

It is a huge problem at Ivies both that there are no real "intro" classes (there are classes for majors, which assume prior familiarity, and core/gen ed classes that don't even try to get you up to speed), and that a lot of people are coming from these crazy enriched environments where they already took multivariable and linear algebra in high school or whatever. I'm really happy you found your calling by the end of college. I also think it's worth pointing out that one way Ivies recapitulate power structures is by channeling people from typical public schools out of the most competitive (and highly-paid) fields.

[@BeChickaboom]

Those aren't just college lessons, they are life lessons. Very applicable to the corporate and adult life in general.

[@cleopaetra2010]

Yes agreed, take this into the corporate world, if you go that way... it is extreeeemly important. Good Job Ahsante!

[@KatrinaEames]

Yeah I really wish I had tried to make friends when college first started. I never really grew super close to anyone since I didn't live on campus and I wish I had more time to build friendships

[@AhsanteB]

Yeah it surprised me how quickly friendships formed right at the beginning! I learned to prioritize that more

[@alesh2275]

There was a student’s strike the first day of my freshman year so I thought nothing was gonna happen that day and went home. That decision led to me not being part of my initial cohort and losing out on a feeling of structure and emotional support. Yeah you’re right, these relationships form early and, although I thought it at that time, impossible to synthetically recreate afterwards.

[@micahsnow346]

I’m a senior and because of this and COVID, I am only not starting to make some real college friends

[@dalehoward3704]

I wish I was wise as you when I was your age. Well, I'm older and this pandemic is making me start all over again in life. I felt very rejected at a young age and it lasted a long long time. Now I'm ready to start life again. Your tips are very enlightening and I'm not letting age stop me!

[@floatingsara]

Good luck with everything dear ! I am also a late bloomer :)

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Buy Medals

[@dalehoward3704]

@@floatingsara great love and luck to you too!

[@santhoshxn]

1:18 This is literally me at Princeton right now 😭. Most clubs are elitist and selective but it’s part of our campus culture to celebrate that

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

I hope my school not like that

[@jupeter24]

that sucks!! Hope you find "your place" I was involved in athletics, so I didn't have much time outside of that and schoolwork to be involved in much else. But the people on my sports team were "my people"

[@texan-american200]

Apparently, she did learn alot at Harvard. Just not what she was hoping for.

[@lisaharper7185]

Such a role model for our young girls! Go you!!! Sending these videos to my daughter who wants to go to Harvard Thanks for your videos

[@lemacro72]

Hi. Thanks Ahsante for your helpful advices. I'm a first year master student at Harvard University. I feel lucky to be able to learn from your experience.

[@urArchitect]

Sometimes it's ok to let the thing that is fighting you win, quit what is no longer serving you, go where the love is ----> extremely helpful advice.

[@miriamcohen7657]

I admire your self knowledge that you realized that you were all great achievers.

[@Tema_fro]

The clique part😂😂 I am in grad school and I’m seeing them form at a rapid speed! Definitely going to jump in now before the train leaves! Thank you for this!

[@anoxx3270]

i was just talking about cliques this morning! Cambridge can be a rough place to be sometimes, I know Lesley isn't Harvard but the classes function in the same way!

[@AhsanteB]

Yeah, it’s a tough environment!

[@snobbypolitics7792]

Unfortunately, you’re describing a lot of schools that aren’t named Harvard. This sounds a lot like my former (top tier) law school.

[@dalehoward3704]

Mine too-which was at least 2nd tier (liberal studies).

[@2134knees]

Love the thoughts of quitting when something doesn't serve you. I'm facing that right now with Grad School and my transition from Ministry focus towards Science (and taken chem and biochem and genetics) and now I want to talk about my story.

[@inchulsohn1996]

She should have dropped and transferred to a less-competitive college.

[@floatingsara]

@@inchulsohn1996 not sure about that, given that the whole country is based on competition, she's reaping a lot today

[@yawantwi8050]

Lesson for me today, if something is not serving me cutt it loose!

[@dalehoward3704]

Amen!!!

[@gaylepeeples9749]

Wow. This makes me appreciate my 'state college' experience even more and it was heaven in every way.

[@dalehoward3704]

Excellent Gayle! College is meant to be enjoyed. The only stress to be felt, if any, are from the classes.

[@lettersandpoims]

woahhh i've been wanting to get into harvard ever since 6th grade and i've been researching clubs/orgs in harvard to see if there were ones i'd resonate with and if i could see myself being a part of in the future. i really vibed with HCFA because they seemed real geniune and just pretty nice overall. but when you started talking about your negative experiences with harvard cliques i worried if HCFA would really be as good as I thought they were. but hey, if you liked them, then i guess i would too. thank you for this.

[@AhsanteB]

Glad it was helpful! And I highly recommend HCFA! That was the most genuine group in my experience by far - I only wish I’d started rolling with them sooner!

[@markharrisllb]

When I first applied to go to University here in the U.K. I was in my mid thirties and I’d left school at 16 to become a chef. They asked me why I wanted to go to Uni and I told the truth that I was a year into my recovery as an alcoholic. Then they asked me what I wanted to study and I said law, because it sounded interesting. When they finally stopped laughing they said ''No, no, no, that would be impossible, not with YOUR history.'' Through a series of events I did get onto a single honours law degree. However, I knew half way through that I didn’t want to be a lawyer and I was too bloody minded to change course. I got my degree at a decent level, but if I was given the opportunity again I would have chosen a totally different subject. I've had my degree now for over 20 years and though the careers I’ve had had elements of law involved I've never been a lawyer in pure sense. If your doing a degree go with your passions rather than something that "…sounds interesting."

[@lazyperfectionist1]

First, _cliques?_ In _college?_ Harvard students aren't people who outgrow that sort of thing in _high_ school? Yuck! No, thank you! Second, _"Google_ it?" Do these professors not know how to do their _jobs?_ Harvard is _Ivy League!_ That means you're supposed to _pride_ yourself on having _answers!_ That's how you teach your _students_ to have answers. That's how it's supposed to _justify_ how much it _costs!_

[@AhsanteB]

Surprised me as well! Haha

[@pamelajenkins9084]

Interesting... I always thought teachers were supposed to help understand how to find answers on your own. OK. good

[@Dragoon91786]

Reaffirms what I've seen-we have contextually and socially misconstrued "learning, teaching, education" and the legacy there within with cultures associated with hegemony, compliance, and the maintenance of power. I saw this culture particularly developing in community colleges in the late 2000s to early 2010s, and now see this trend is designed to continue throughout all institutions of learning. My parents rebuffed this milieu through my HS, and I rejected it in college. But if what I got that nearly destroyed me as a person is any indication, I fear for the youth today.

[@BiG-JuPO1O1]

It's pretty much every college. I heard my college is like that, unfortunately. I struggle to make friends and fit in. Whenever I try to introduce myself, they give me that look like do you go here? Why are you talking to me? I plan to join clubs when I first arrive at my school next year.

[@eej1983able]

@@BiG-JuPO1O1 i had the same feeling in college. The workforce is almost easier lol

[@edwardb7811]

Many good lessons here, even if you don't go to Harvard.

[@sazzorakskills1614]

I didn’t go to Harvard but I got into one of the living learning communities on my campus for lgbt students and that really helped me make friends. The dorm was smaller too, which really helped with my anxiety

[@andreaweber8059]

I have a Bioinformatics degree from a European University - I think you ran into a classic computer problem (I did, too, in first semester). In Computer Science, it is still mostly assumed by the professors, even in first semester, that you already have at least basic programming skills, and textbooks get old really fast, so they are hardly used at all, especially during the first 2 years or so. Might have been different in a different course, but for computer science, this is pretty normal.

[@gilbydog7350]

Great video Ahsante. Interesting to hear about your experiences with Harvard Computer Science and Applied Maths.

[@jp5419]

A wise young woman. You learned the most important lessons at Harvard, but they weren't on the syllabus;)

[@yohannesgemechu8080]

The environment Is extremely toxic. Almost all members are super achievers but full of ego and self centered mentality.

[@BearingMySeoul]

As an introvert, the advice to mingle EARLY cannot be understated!!! I was in a programming bootcamp and the sole woman in the outgoing cohort told me: "Make sure you get to know everyone. If not, they'll shut you out and you won't have a chance." That that thought had never occurred to me. I'm good company to myself and meeting people is draining (imo). Still, I did what she said and it certainly worked in my favor. I'm now at a multinational corporation working remotely, and maintaining the importance of "meet and greets" has been a lifesaver. Introducing myself and understanding the goals of my peers and leadership and finding ways to help them meet their goals has helped me meet my own.

[@gabrielcorbin6747]

Ahsante, I just want to thank you for your insights on how to better grow in personal development and social awareness. I've watched your two videos on 'Harvard'. I really enjoy your approach to the subjugation and retrospect of all that you did experienced while devoting your life to that demanding and pseudo intellectually hostile environment. There was a time in my life that I dreamed of being a Harvard student who was the most important and outstanding student of them all. I really just needed acceptance, esteemed self awareness, socially and emotional connection with conscious people who validated my efforts, I was in need to become or develop myself into a reasonably healthy and successful, productive and contributing person of rare find. Well, I was never intrested in anything academic or scholastic with endeavor. I have had to come to the awareness of my early years of education being painfully disturbed and riddled with learning disabilities and a yearning for disinterest. So the ballet came to my surprise at an early age. It didn't challenge me, it invited me. It didn't confuse me it would chose and soothe me. It would later become the food for my soul that tamed, claimed, and sustained my life to develop me into an artistic man who is socially and emotionally capable of being self esteemed, self aware, and self giving. That is my strength and confidence streak that none seem to ever win against or go up against. No competition from others indeed. For it is my own life individualism that I compare to be even better than ever I were, nothing else. (No one else) The awareness socially and development of self has been and continues to be made a slow process. However it remains as my own experience to live, learn, and process for personal progress. While in high school I was just unable to be comfortable in that socially awkward landscape. I needed to feel and beco become something greater than my dreams and life goals. So, it seemed quite fitting to indeed drop out of high school, thereby removing myself socially yet improving myself emotionally with full devotion and understanding of my purpose and pursuit of happiness in life. I decided faithfully to achieve a dream and accomplish my life goals. I haven't done everything right. But I have done everything that I can to be the artist and the man that I am today. I stand with that as I am here now to stay. Again, thank you for your brave, transparent, and well accomplished experience(s) that you have shared. Gabriel Corbin, SAG-AFTRA.

[@_Bianca]

Enjoyed this video and love those earrings 😎

[@AhsanteB]

Thank you!!

[@josephinefowler2808]

Learned a lot from this video. After too many years, I have worked to fit in and this leads to wasted time. Thank you for being you and sharing this information.

[@real_hello_kitty]

1:56 This inspires me something, because I am fine with debugging code. But I don’t love office politics, this is where I failed 😞. I think I should try again debugging code just for the L, without necessarily applying for computer jobs, but just for the sake of building confidence.

[@xerxiusmaximus]

… I am learning to just not have any expectation, prior to clicking your content…. Wait for it: Just blown away… from outset, with every shared word… thank you.

[@carmengeorgeweddings3906]

Harvard sounds painful.

[@jupeter24]

I love these videos, these are so inspirational. IMO, something perfectionists have to learn how to do as a young adult (upon reflecting upon my own young adulthood!) is HOW TO QUIT and your video got me thinking about this. Age 18 - 23, soooo many changes: trying to figure out one's academic path, financial path (different colleges/schools cost radically different amts obviously), relationship path - esp those of us who have strained relationships with our families, you know... If something isn't working out, it's ingrained in me to *keep forging ahead* a.k.a., not quit an academic program, or not drop out of college....why?? LOL. One of the most successful people I know took 7-and-a-half years to graduate from state school. she just didn't know what she wanted to do, and so she just kept dropping out and taking time off. There's such a stigma on "dropping out" but why not? It's the right decision for some people!

[@jupeter24]

I just wanted to add though, I went to the best college I was accepted to and that did *open a lot of doors for me* it happened to be a private college as well. So many good memories and I feel that I've made friends for a lifetime. It's such an individual choice though; there are many paths to success. It isn't in everyone's best interests to go to the best private school they get accepted to. edit: Btw, Harvard didn't want me ; ) I applied to three schools, Harvard, my "safe school," and another private school.

[@ShesooBreezy]

Hey Queen 👸🏾, 20/20 hindsight, but now you know. Proud of you. ✊🏾✊🏾 💯💯💯

[@TraderDT]

Curious to learn more about why u weren't more embraced by the black student body at Harvard and the black community off campus. What's up with that?

[@jonathanschneiderman6232]

I'm not sure I agree that it's a good idea to buddy up right away. From what I've seen after a semester here, people's desperate desire to have a "squad" mostly leads them into "friend" groups they don't like and puts them in messy social situations. I think just letting oneself make friends one likes naturally is the best approach, even if it can be a frustratingly slow one.

[@jonathanschneiderman6232]

That is, yes, cliques form quick, but the people in them usually aren't super happy, or at least aren't super happy with their cliques.

[@dalehoward3704]

@@jonathanschneiderman6232 so true! And they feel pressure to keep up and follow whatever standards they have!

[@yyhsuyuyi]

I totally agree. That was what I did in the start(the budding I mean) , and found myself in a squad of 6. After the "honeymoon" period we sort of fell out, because what they were interested in I wasn't. Thank god that we drifted away relatively friendly; I was sooo unhappy and literally everywhere we went had to be in a "pack".

[@johnjackson4365]

Love this woman 👩 ❤

[@vanessar3623]

Same I wished I switched the art programs, I could have been an art director by now.

[@karenwhite5807]

I am white and in the uk, and what you said is a carbon copy of what happened to me at university, obviously not the minority stuff, But with the University clubs they were just glad you turned up and participated so obviously a lot more fun. I just like to say obviously in the US is very different within the UK as a white person at university that had non-white students there and a large number of foreign students I honestly didn’t care what colour someone’s skin was and still don’t, and I wish you well and a successful life

[@floatingsara]

Congrats on your nickname !!! :D

[@daudimwenyewe7372]

I’m a loner and introverted and lived off campus so I never made friends or connections on campus

[@mauriceholden9238]

You can't make friend unless you are a good looking person. I found out real quick that if you're not a good looking person she won't look or talk to you after you speak to that person. That's why I stay to myself and don't try to make friends.

[@diannepandolfo8855]

Please don't let her impoliteness & actions (or lack of them) get you down. There will be others, I'm sure, who will enjoy your friendship. Be confidant in yourself. You have your own special gifts to offer.

[@aryan7767]

What to do if I get left out?? I made a huge mistake ignoring social life at the beginning and I’m completely alone

[@eej1983able]

I did meet my husband in college but we didn't start dating till after we graduated. I don't have any close college friends at all. I worked part time so my friends were at my job. So interesting 🤔

[@buniflakes]

This is a silly question, but are considering doing a video on the schooling system? I kinda think school is terrible (haha) and needs to be cut down on a tinyyyy bit.⁶ College prices are literally inflating worse than our economy! - Learning v.s. schooling = asset v.s. buisness?? Just because it's always been there doesn't mean it doesn't need to be changed! I'm a "good student" but I hate having to be forced into the mold they're pushing me into. I think you might understand this. Thank you so much! Have a nice day! 😊

[@FUNNYMANERICWHITE]

Great channel. Keep it up

[@softskilled]

I hope to share this with my daughter someday 💗

[@AngieCarr]

What was the reason you didn’t attend an HBCU and were your family members that attended feel a ways about it?

[@Dusk425]

I also made similar mistakes when I was in DU.

[@inchulsohn1996]

Ahsante is still young. She could still enroll at a community college, study computer science or whatever she wants to study, and make more friends.

[@MsCardio1]

Aspiring Ivy League students........DON"T go ....go to your local community college, live at home for two years..then transfer to your best state university Be sure NOT to major in meaningless studies such as Psychology, Communications, History, or anything ending in "........studies"

[@brodypenn]

Yeah try telling that to tiger parents.

[@FableCountry]

You sound like my mom. I told her I was going to Harvard for Social sciences and she said that was useless. My mental health was already in shambles and I broke down crying. She didnt realize how difficult it really was at Harvard. It was either this Concentration (major) or I give up. I did community college while in high school too because it was free for me. Definitely broke the monotony of high school. I think it's a good plan to go this route. My wife did this and shes doing better than me financially, lol. But I dont agree that your list qualifies as useless degrees. It depends what you want to do.

[@MsCardio1]

@@FableCountry Afraid we boomers all sound the same.....on the other hand experience is a very hard ( but useful) teacher. Good luck to you!

[@CrystalJanelleTV]

Oh GOD!! I'm glad I didn't go to that school!! Need to know someone to get into a club!? In college!? That's not cool AT ALL!! No one should be worried about being part of a group or a click of ppl, unless networking for a career. Geesh! Sounds like a stressful school...#TEAMHBCU

[@limellama1490]

Can you get into Harvard without honors awards or any competition recognition?

[@lazyperfectionist1]

Either way, is it _really_ worth it? Look it up. Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University. The acceptance rate at Harvard University is listed as 5%. That means that, out of every 20 applications they receive, about 19 will be declined. But of those who remain, tuition, after financial aid is more than $15,000 a year. So under ideal circumstances, after four years, one can expect to graduate with $60,000 in debt hanging over one's head. The universities don't _charge_ tuition, however, and provide an education in _English_ in Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Have you ever considered studying in a different _country?_

[@AhsanteB]

A good way to judge would be to look at the average GPA and SAT score of admitted students, which I think you can find online. “Honors” is a little nebulous, but the test scores are the universal measure

[@limellama1490]

@@drinkwater7393 um what? You sound crazy...

[@FableCountry]

Grades and SAT scores for sure. That's the minimum. But you have to be different. What I mean is you have to be really good at something (world class violin, scientist, software engineer, writer, etc) or have an uncommon, super difficult, uncommon experience you've overcome and/or used to your advantage (grew up homeless, grew up in war-torn middle east, survived school shooting e.g. David Hogg). Basically, have great grades and be different or inspiring. Honors or awards may come from these but maybe not. My high school friend applied to 6 schools and was rejected from 5. He went to his safety school, the best state school in area. Mind you, he had perfect GPA and 2360/2400 on SAT but not much extracurriculars. He was obviously smart but didnt have much going on outside of school. He's now a medical doctor. Ivy league isn't everything. Or if you want the other alternatives, be super rich and powerful plus donate a library and/or have one your parents already graduate from Harvard so you become legacy admittance. >_>

[@limellama1490]

@@FableCountry Haha thank you for this :)

[@sandraalvarez4230]

I appreciate the work that you're doing to me it it opens the doors for you to do a documentaries he certainly have the talent for it I think it's important for young black adults or any child of color to realize it takes more than Insurance a strong will you have to be emotionally strong I think we produced some children in 2000 that they always have to win even the losers win and that's not realistic in life there is losers even when you do your very best somebody else takes a credit for all your work and doesn't even acknowledge you While the criticizing you for the very good work that you just did that's reality and young black people need to understand this white kids I don't know I feel sorry for them if they're always thinking that they're automatically winners just because of the white skin and maybe they are I have no idea All I know is I'm thankful for the work that you're doing because our children have to be more enduring more with a tougher skin it's not enough just to be book smart

[@malcomgraphics]

Your name translates "Thank you" in my language

[@tonyaanderson1329]

My youngest blood sibling is David Shands founder of Sleep is For Sucker's. There are tons of African American elite self starters who get together and generate ideas and listen to sound financial literacy advice with his podcast. Check him out on Yu-Tube, when you get a chance. I myself, graduated from Girls High of Philadelphia. I am a certified Cosmetologist, Optician and Paralegal graduate. One of my sons and myself attend Harvard's Free Business online classes. He's still in highschool in a gifted program. Enjoy your weekend ! 😷

[@barbarabrooks4747]

It sounds like you would have been happier going to one the best Art institutes

[@converses903]

What does it feel like to graduate from Harvard???

[@inchulsohn1996]

If you want to make friends, community colleges are much better. Most students come from working-class or lower-middle-class backgrounds and value relationships more.

[@JohnJohn-xs5ru]

?????

[@camillethepanther1760]

Beautiful

[@subee1818]

I feel yah

[@abbytamrat1662]

Do you think having a boyfriend in college would have helped?

[@t.least.he.was.honest]

I watched two Ads for you

[@00Meowmeow]

If google is available then excuse me while i use google instead of spending 100K on college education

[@ngethekinyanjui2124]

Smart

[@mckgarth]

So, let me get this straight, you are smart enough to get into Harvard, but you didn't realize that you should try to make friends when you started school?

[@daim87]

Get a grade that you can use

[@jonking770]

Sounds like u didn't like it

[@johnjackson4365]

All my god... haha lol. You're so right.... haha

[@agreeneish]

Like.. Oh sure.. She went to Harvard..

[@darrylharris756]

🌹

[@paultexasusa]

College is such B.S.

[@real_hello_kitty]

So Harvard didn’t teach you anything? 😳They just good at giving you tests? For the prestige sake of it?

[@johnjackson4365]

Get on outta there.. lol

[@drstevej2527]

Translation she is here because she has no actual career! A Harvard degree does not mean that you don’t end up working at Starbucks or doing YT with few subscribers.

[@letusreason3554]

Faith and Action???... but you are not straight.

[@nagolhayze9366]

🤦‍♂️

[@elsands9774]

Thinking your biggest mistake was going into Harvard. Sounds like you were very unprepared for the reality of Harvard.

[@rockrollman65]

Ashanti - You'll never be happy.