This story started four years ago when a neighbor from my university dorm asked me for help.

She was a senior in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, I forget.
I was the only business major in the residence.

That night, we had a discussion that shaped how I view university life.

You Can Do Anything—But Not Everything

If you’re a college student, you’ve probably heard this before:

"You can do anything you want if you set your mind to it."

That’s true, but here’s the twist—you also have limited resources:
⏳ Limited Time → Only 24 hours in a day.
⚡ Limited Energy → You can’t be everywhere at once.
💰 Limited Money → College isn’t cheap.

So the real question is: What do you want to achieve in university?

🎯 4.0 GPA? → Dedicate your free time to studying.
🎯 A strong social life? → Invest your time in organizations, friendships, and experiences.
🎯 Financial freedom? → Start a side business or get a part-time job.

But here’s the reality check: You cannot have all three at the same time.

You Have to Choose.

If you choose academics, you might miss out on social experiences.
If you focus on building a business, your grades might take a hit.
If you invest in organizations & communities, you sacrifice study time.

Every decision comes with consequences.

So choose wisely.

Grades Matter—But Not as Much as You Think

My advice?
📌 Grades are not the most important thing in the world.
📌 But don’t underestimate them either—because they work as a baseline indicator when you have nothing else to sell.

In other words:
✔ If you’re building a startup, grades might not matter much.
✔ But if you’re job hunting without work experience, grades become one of your only assets.

Balance is key.

The Truth About Starting a Business in College

💡 If your startup is working out, don’t drop out.
💡 College is not just about getting a degree—it’s about broadening your horizon & maturing your perspective.

I almost dropped out at one point because I believed, “In business, we just need to start.”
But looking back, I’m glad I didn’t.

Because starting a business is not just about launching something—it’s about the ratio of effort to impact.

Joining Organizations: Does It Really Help?

✅ Yes, it looks good on your CV.
✅ You’ll face both fortunate & unfortunate events, teaching you how to deal with people—which, by the way, is one of the hardest things to master in both life & work.

But…

❌ Throwing yourself into every opportunity without direction?
Bad move.

It’s like a company that tries to sell everything to everyone—only to fail in every aspect.

📌 Direction matters.
📌 Choose activities that align with your future goals.

What If You Don’t Know Your Passion Yet?

Don’t stress. Passion is overrated.

Instead, ask yourself:
1️⃣ What excites me, even a little?
2️⃣ What problem frustrates me the most?
3️⃣ If I could change one thing, what would it be?

Start with curiosity, not pressure.

And when you find something that sparks your interest—dig deeper. And deeper. And deeper.

Because passion isn’t something you magically find—it’s something you build over time.

Your Most Valuable Resources: Time, Money, and Energy

At the end of the day, you only have three resources:

⏳ Time
💰 Money
⚡ Energy

And if you use them all up recklessly, you’ll be left with nothing.

So before you say ‘yes’ to something, ask yourself:
❓ Will this consume too much of my time?
❓ Will this drain my energy?
❓ Will this cost me more money than I can afford?

Because it’s not just about working hard—it’s about working smart.

Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely, Invest Intentionally

University is not about doing everything.
It’s about doing the right things that align with your goals.

✔ Be strategic with your time.
✔ Be intentional with your commitments.
✔ Be mindful of your energy.

And most importantly—don’t let distractions consume your limited resources.

Your future self will thank you.