Ask HN: What do you wish was taught in college?

6 points by ksml 4 years ago | 6 comments

What do you wish was taught in college?

I ask for both practical reasons and curiosity. I'm teaching a systems class at Stanford this summer and would love to refine the syllabus, but I'm also curious about all the other random things (life skills?) people have learned.

dkokelley 4 years ago |

1. History, as it relates to today. It's important for the coming generation to recognize the ebbs and flows of humanity. The media wants to say that "this scenario is unprecedented and scary, and you should be worried". History shows that most things are "another one of those" (credit to Ray Dalio).

2. Retirement planning. At age 18-25 you have the greatest opportunity to significantly influence your future success, but many people miss that opportunity.

3. The Way The World Works. Idealism is nice and should be pursued, but you will not be successful in that pursuit if you are ignorant of the way things are (even if the way things are is wrong). Learn and understand the system, work the system, and you'll then have the best chance to change the system for better.

mikecoles 4 years ago |

What I wish was taught before college: Unless going into research or hardcore STEM, college is a waste of time and money. Go intern or get a junior level position. You'll be four years ahead of those in your age group. Invest the money that would have been spent towards tuition in something, anything that pays dividends. For life skills, go live life.

kyawzazaw 4 years ago |

I think personal finance is big.

Skincare and grooming would also be nice.

Some basic documenting (such as take horizontal videos, scanning official documents, filling important papers)

Dracophoenix 4 years ago | |

Any particular resources for 2 & 3?

splithalf 4 years ago |

Psychology. You can’t know anything and not know something about knowing.

tofukid 4 years ago |

How to get rich, how to get fit, and how get along with others.