Every now and then, I think one should revisit some of the major decisions you have made in the past and rant about it in light of new information presented to you in the present. Sure there's no use crying over spilled milk but sometimes there are things/principles that can be learned from our mistakes or failure to decide appropriately when it is time for it. A couple of days ago, that was such a time.
The rankings for US universities for graduate study was just released so out of curiosity I decided to check to see who's on top. So I wandered into the usual categories of math, physics and computer science and all was still within normal ranges. Then when it came to it's sub categories of math, more specifically applied math, I was kinda surprised to see that New York University was on top and on par with MIT. That was particularly interesting because I knew New York was pretty good for applied math but never really though that it would still maintain its position at the top with MIT. When I was applying to the States for PhD programs, I applied to New York University as an afterthought even though I knew then that it was on par with MIT back then. I kinda didn't believe it and thought it was just an anomaly/outlier in the rankings. And of all the unis I applied there, only NYU came back to me with an offer but to do Masters. I rejected it for two reasons, it was not the course that I wanted and that it's located in one of the most expensive places around. Little did I know that that was normal for an international student but never mind. Clicking a few more links and I find myself in what would have become the faculty that I would be spending most of my time in NYU, the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Looking at the subjects taught in the Masters level and the few more subjects needed in the PhD level, that's when I really needed to scream. The subjects were waaaay more interesting and they even cover some of my research interests in greater detail than the rather boring one that I was doing here in Melbourne. Sure it would have taken a lot longer to get a PhD there than in Melbourne but I'd do it anyway.
Armed with this knowledge completes the rub-salt-on-wound scenario. Of all the unis I applied to outside of Melbourne (and bear in mind that back then I had no intention to stay in Melbourne for further studies), the ones that got back to me with offers were the universities that I applied as an afterthought (yes, Cambridge too). Both unis are at the top of their respective games and both had research topics that far interests me than any where else. And yet I rejected both of them for the same two reasons highlighted before not knowing that for both of them it is completely normal and there are many ways around it. Significant financing can some how be found one way or the other and with good results in Masters, I can be fast tracked to the PhD course. Woe is me who never knew of such things. Oh the pain.
But wait, I'm not crying over spilled milk. What have I gained now that I've remained in Melbourne, doing something completely different (to an extent)? Meeting, observing and supporting awesome people I've met in the past 2 years. Being involved in a great deal of things that I can never imagine myself doing with them makes the apparent sacrifice not so bad after all. Hence a great deal of good came out of this "ordeal".
So what have I found under this big rock of the past? Don't underestimate the things done as an afterthought. And neither should you underestimate the events following the mistakes. They might come as a surprise to you, and a pleasant one I might add. Also, it is even more apparent now, like great war strategy principles, knowing is half the battle. Information is vital to decision making. Do whatever you can to obtain information early before deciding. That was probably the biggest mistake I made then.
I like to think of the timeline of major decision making as a bit like getting your hair cut. When the time comes to have your hair cut, you sometimes get a good cut and sometimes you get a bad one. And sometimes you think you like the cut but seconds later after stepping out of the shop, you hate it again and vice versa. But then as weeks go by, your hair grows back until it's time for another hair cut and the process repeats. The next time you have your hair cut, all worries, rants and lamentations on your previous hair cut are nowhere to be seen, only the prospect of the new hair cut. The result of our decisions may result in good or bad outcomes or times where I've made the wrong choice but hey look what I found or I think I made the right choice and it's giving me pain now. Regardless, time will pass by until we are faced with another major decision to make, even the good ones or the blessing-in-disguise ones will just pass by like it didn't matter (well, it kinda does but that's for another time). Life goes on and to see how the next decision plays out and not the previous ones made.
So cheesy/corny/full-of-nonsense right?
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