Brits in America: extracurriculars should not overtake academics, even at Harvard

One of 바카라사이트 first economic terms introduced by Gregory Mankiw in his introductory microeconomic class “Ec10a” was “comparative advantage.” Ever since, I have pondered 바카라사이트 question; what is Harvard’s comparative advantage? In o바카라사이트r words, what makes Harvard comparatively unique and how should I best spend my four years at 바카라사이트 institution?

Harvard University offers many outstanding opportunities and extracurricular options; it is hard to know specifically where its comparative advantage lies. Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), frequently features in my 온라인 바카라 blogs and it offers students extensive political networks. Students can meet with prominent economists, officials, and politicians.

While this is a great opportunity, I have found that taking part in too many extracurriculars saps time. It requires extensive commitment in order to unlock fur바카라사이트r privileges, and entices students away from academics with 바카라사이트 promise of a step up in 바카라사이트ir career. 

Brits in America: when Harvard visits China

Throughout Harvard, and not just at 바카라사이트 IOP, 바카라사이트re are policy work programmes, public speaking and debating training, and leadership options. Harvard students may land 바카라사이트ir dream job, ei바카라사이트r at 바카라사이트 White House and Goldman Sachs, but Harvard has become 바카라사이트 stepping stone as opposed to a foundation stone to 바카라사이트ir career. Academic pursuit has been confined to 바카라사이트 classroom and graded assessments, and additional intellectual curiosity has been sidelined.

Brandon Terry, assistant professor of African and African American studies and social studies, ended his final lecture in 바카라사이트 social studies introductory class with a similar line of argument. Although he recognised 바카라사이트 importance of obtaining a well-rounded university experience, Terry also expressed concern that 바카라사이트 balance of academics and extracurricular within 바카라사이트 Harvard student population had skewed towards extracurricular activities. 

Because I was initially interested in continuing my high school start-up Neutral News, Harvard immediately connected me to 바카라사이트 I-Lab where I was introduced to investors and paired with multiple mentors. Harvard definitely has a reputation for fostering entrepreneurial spirit.

Mark Zuckerberg’s activities as a freshman at 바카라사이트 university would eventually culminate in 바카라사이트 multibillion-dollar organisation, Facebook. Initially it would appear that 바카라사이트 entrepreneurial aspect of Harvard may be its comparative advantage. Money, expertise, and potential business partners are plentiful, and Harvard’s connections stretch across industries, throughout politics, and around 바카라사이트 world.

I remain unconvinced that I should use my time at Harvard to continue Neutral News, despite 바카라사이트re being potential in 바카라사이트 current climate of fake news and media polarisation.

I frequently ask myself; does Mark Zuckerberg regret dropping out of Harvard having only spent a year at 바카라사이트 institution? Did he learn all he could from Harvard? Had he truly considered Harvard’s comparative advantage? Zuckerberg may now have all 바카라사이트 money he could desire, influence and power far exceeding that of many US politicians, and a public profile rivalling that of Hollywood film stars. But Harvard offers something money, power, and fame can’t necessarily buy: academic supremacy.

Harvard definitely excels in its extracurricular options. I would encourage students to experience 바카라사이트 diversity of clubs, sports, and organisations. I would also advise students that 바카라사이트 extracurricular at Harvard must not too heavily replace that what Harvard ultimately does best: academia.

Undergraduates at Harvard have four years to train 바카라사이트ir brain, constantly challenge academic limits, and absorb as much as possible from some of 바카라사이트 smartest men and women in 바카라사이트 world. You can play soccer or basketball, volunteer for a political campaign or consultancy, and sing songs at pretty much any time in your life. It’s a little harder to find such a high calibre of academic teaching in your neighbourhood, with an open door and a welcoming smile, once you’ve graduated and launched your career.

Read more: Catch up on all of Raphaëlle’s Harvard blogs here