Seek, and you shall find shiny gems
#145 - in cricket, 'shiny gems' == new red balls
Hi there,
My lack of energy this week has been replenished by the glorious sunshine! Although predictions are for temperatures to dive again, it has signalled the arrival of a new season.
A quieter week, relatively, with a coursework due, meetings and quite a bit of physical exercise.
Highlight of the week: my Friday afternoon. The German speaking assessment I prepared a lot for with a friend went splendidly. I walk outside to blue skies and union election candidates, all eager to get my attention and converse.
At university, lecturers hold ‘office hours’: an hour for you to speak with the lecturer, ask any questions about the module and course. I have made it a point, following advice from my maths teacher at school1, of going to as many as I can.
It gives me a nudge to do work, so I have a question to ask.
It’s a good way to get to know the lecturers and, perhaps more importantly, for the lecturers to get to know you (why that’s important is for another time).
It’s a part of my definition of ‘making the most of a university education’.
The office hour I find most useful is the Analysis office hour. On Mondays from 5 to 6, it’s a low-stress way to end a long Monday, listening to our wonderful lecturer talk through people’s problems and proofs in the hardest module we have.
As one would expect, the number of people coming to this has decreased through term, which brings us to this week - for the 2nd half of the hour, there were just 3 of us.
I’m slightly behind on Analysis but regardless, I found a question to chat about and one thing after the other, we ended up with quite a scene - I’m writing on the board, our lecturer is sat down watching me with my 2 peers, and I’m talking through a proof, mildly nervy.
The next 20 minutes that followed was some of the best ‘tuition’ I’ve had since coming to Imperial. I expressed my thoughts out loud, working through this proof; he interjected in points, saying how I could tighten my writing or take a more efficient approach. In the end, we made quite some progress, and I felt a little bit smarter.
Our lecturer leaves and I’m hit with a reflection - if you look hard enough and put yourself in the right places, you can definitely find the opportunities you want.
If there’s one thing I miss the most about the Oxbridge experience, it’s the small-group teaching. Having an hour with an experienced professor each week to talk through anything you’re stuck on, considering from my current perspective, would be invaluable.
However, what I had there, for those 20 minutes, was exactly that - a 1:1 teaching session with the module’s professor, guiding me through a layered proof.
The lesson here is to be perceptive, observe for valuable things others might miss and drill down to use them. Whether that’s being friends with the receptionist, making yourself known to the lecturers or reaching out to alumni, there are non-obvious opportunities which can lead to rare and valuable outcomes.
A final thought you might find interesting is how I remember these office hours - they’re on my calendar. It was the first thing I did at the start of the term, adding them on as recurring events. It means that I’m reminded (*not with a notification) of their existence, and I can frame my time decisions whether I’d like to go to one.
It reminds me of choice architecture - having water and fruits on your desk instead of a can of Pepsi and crisps, making the desirable option more visible. Further, it’s making the choice to take the better path easier - with the office hours example, it’s having the lecturer’s room numbers added onto the calendar event. It removes the thought of ‘ah, where do I need to go?’ with a single click.
To conclude, we are the sum of our choices (a Mission Impossible line I’m increasingly enjoying a lot!). Whatever situation we find ourselves in, there is always the chance to look for the next smart, perhaps overlooked, choice to make the most of the scenario you’re in.
That was quite self-promotional, perhaps it’s the Imperial College Union election fever getting to me (I’m running for Wind Band’s treasurer, unopposed 🙌). I hope you have something to take away, from your favourite blog, also a hidden gem. 😉
Podcast of the week🎙️
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson: The Rishi Sunak Lessons from Downing Street One
2 parts in a revealing, honest listen about Rishi Sunak. As a British Indian, I was an ardent supporter, but even he couldn’t lift a sinking Tory ship - here he talks about it all.
What I’m grateful for this week 🙏
Our Wind Band conductor, Alan, for his support, advice and understanding when I had a go at conducting this week!
Quote of the week 💬
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. Zig Ziglar
2 weeks to go till the longest Easter break of my life. Here’s to making the days count!
Adi
The brilliant (Mr) Berwick, that is