College is about the experiences and connections you seek out and the knowledge you gain. You can find ways to specialize and differentiate yourself from others, but you have to be an active participant in life instead of waiting for things to happen to you. There’s a wealth of opportunities available to you, so I would recommend trying everything that you can so you can start to get a feel for what you like to do and what matters to you. Then you can start finding your purpose.
As with the concept of gifted kid burnout, the reality is that everyone has their own individual strengths and aptitudes, but nobody is inherently more special than anyone else. The important thing is getting your foot in the door and showing up!
You may also want to seek out counseling services with your university if you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of depression or even just to have someone to talk to and help you along. Big life transitions like this can be incredibly destabilizing, so it’s understandable if you’re feeling lost and disillusioned!
Sorry for the Republican dad rant. go get ‘em champ 👨 👍
Sep 25, 2024
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i'm in community college rn, i had a rough time in high school so i figured id do two catchup/gen ed years before finishing up my degree at a 4 year. we all know its college app season/college result season and oh my god guys i keep seeing these high schoolers shooting for 8% acceptance rate universities and not settling for anything less. like i get it, i do. but am i the only one whos seeing an uptick of kids just applying places just to say they got in ? i feel like i ask a lot of these people about what they want to do/what they're passionate about and why they're majoring in what they're majoring in and they just give me a blank stare. can we PLEASE normalize saving money and taking your time ? you have the rest of your life to work and be miserable paying taxes and pulling your weight at a 9-5. there's literally no shame in community, and I'm so sick and tired of people thinking there is. if you don't know what you want to do, you're allowed to take the time to get there. it's honestly worse to settle on a mediocre major that you don't particularly like just to get your degree faster and say you graduated on time. high school really doesn't give you the time to decide these things so once you reach adulthood it's your responsibility to allocate your time towards it. i really want to see more kids soul searching in a meaningful and responsible way. and if you know what you wanna do and you got into your 8% acceptance rate dream school, more power to you. I'm just saying that seeing a case like that is rare these days and people deserve the time to think and absorb their new responsibilities.
Mar 19, 2025
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Even if you study the statistically highest earning major, that doesn’t guarantee you a job. Unless you’re going for something ultra specific, most jobs just want to see that you have the guts to finish a degree, it doesn’t matter so much what it is. If you have a passion, follow it! It’ll make your time in school that much more enjoyable.
I started college majoring in materials sciences and engineering at a big ten school bc math was my best subject but I was miserableeeee. I thought I had to do the hardest degree possible to be successful in life and I come from a long line of engineers. Now, I feel like I’m following some sort of calling studying apparel at a tech school. Even though it’s not as promising statistically. We’re all gonna die someday anyway.
Also!!! I majorly recommend taking a gap year. That year of real life outside of an academic setting can really sheepdog your priorities.
Feb 28, 2025
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My stock college advice: Do everything and meet everyone. You’ll never have a better opportunity.
People are what matter. The education is a bonus.
But also, if college is the wrong option for you, get out. Go work in a restaurant, train to be a plumber, go to beauty school or whatever it’s called. There are other paths!
Sep 26, 2024
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My dad teases me about how when I was a little kid, my favorite thing to do when I was on the landline phone with somebody—be it a relative or one of my best friends—was to breathlessly describe the things that were in my bedroom so that they could have a mental picture of everything I loved and chose to surround myself with, and where I sat at that moment in time. Perfectly Imperfect reminds me of that so thanks for always listening and for sharing with me too 💌
Feb 23, 2025
May 28, 2025
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I’ve been thinking about how much of social media is centered around curating our self-image. When selfies first became popular, they were dismissed as vain and vapid—a critique often rooted in misogyny—but now, the way we craft our online selves feels more like creating monuments.
We try to signal our individuality, hoping to be seen and understood, but ironically, I think this widens the gap between how others perceive us and who we really are. Instead of fostering connection, it can invite projection and misinterpretation—preconceived notions, prefab labels, and stereotypes. Worse, individuality has become branded and commodified, reducing our identities to products for others to consume.
On most platforms, validation often comes from how well you can curate and present your image—selfies, aesthetic branding, and lifestyle content tend to dominate. High engagement is tied to visibility, not necessarily depth or substance. But I think spaces like PI.FYI show that there’s another way: where connection is built on shared ideas, tastes, and interests rather than surface-level content. It’s refreshing to be part of a community that values thoughts over optics.
By sharing so few images of myself, I’ve found that it gives others room to focus on my ideas and voice. When I do share an image, it feels intentional—something that contributes to the story I want to tell rather than defining it. Sharing less allows me to express who I am beyond appearance.
For women, especially, sharing less can be a radical act in a world where the default is to objectify ourselves. It resists the pressure to center appearance, focusing instead on what truly matters: our thoughts, voices, and authenticity. I’ve posted a handful of pictures of myself in 2,500 posts because I care more about showing who I am than how I look.
In trying to be seen, are we making it harder for others to truly know us? It’s a question worth considering.
Dec 27, 2024