Lists of Essential Knowledge

This page only consists of “Lists of Things I wish I knew when I…” – mostly, but not necessarily, from me. Jun 22 2009.

Started College

  • Figured out what should go into email signatures
  • The value of class-shopping
  • The importance of making and keeping friends
  • How to meet strangers
  • The power of reputation
  • How rewarding it is to work on individual research with professors
  • How refreshing it is to study abroad
  • The ability to ask anything stupid
  • How to handle missed deadlines

Started a Business

  • If you have partners, be clear on their “exit clauses” -  in case things go ugly. (Thanks to Simon Lee from In Vito Cafe, Beijing)
  • No, you can’t skimp on the legal
  • Forms of corporations
  • State and Federal registration important

Went travelling

  • It’s surprising how much you can’t do without a passport – it matters more than people
  • The discounts for booking flights early are overrated
  • “Sightseeing” is a poor man’s substitute for “Friendseeing” – for a man who is poor in number of friends
  • The joys of disposable underwear

Applied for an MBA

  • Supply and demand – Timing is important
  • Need rock-solid referrals
  • GMAT is only a threshold. 720. My experience taking the GMAT, and advice.
  • Nothing is certain.
  • There is no “right stage of your life” for an MBA, but there is a “right attitude” going into it.

Took up a Scholarship

  • Have you really explored -all- alternative forms of funding?

Started learning about Finance

  • not everything labeled “Finance” in the library/bookshop is the “Finance” you want; not everything about the “Finance” you want is labeled “Finance”
  • Most authority figures work on slightly differing definitions and assumptions and data. Watch out for them.

Wanted to lose weight

  • Gyms are more guaranteed to make your wallet lose weight than your actual body.
  • Overall fitness is more desirable than working on just abs or just delts.
  • Self-control means total control – your weight will not forgive a binge even if your mind does.
  • Losing weight is a means to an end; find a great end, and you will find your will.