College Network Beats Academics

Shaan Puri reflects on his college experience, expressing regret about not taking full advantage of the unique opportunities college presents. He emphasizes that college's true value lies in its environment for experimentation and networking, not primarily in academics.

• College is a Unique Environment:

  • It's a "4 year playground" with:
    • Potential cofounders everywhere
    • Built-in customer base
    • Abundant free time and energy
    • No financial obligations (mortgage, etc.)
    • Everything is paid for

• Wrong Priorities in College:

  • Shaan's mistaken priority order:
    • Sleep (#1)
    • Class (#2)
    • Friends (#3)
  • "College is almost not about the classes in any shape or form, but the illusion is that it's about classes"

• Better Approach to College:

  • Take entrepreneurial shots
  • Run experiments
  • Build relationships
  • Balance personal exploration with hustle
    • "Get drunk, hook up, try on different hats"
    • "Take some shots, hustle a little bit"
    • Don't feel pressure to make money

• Missed Opportunities:

  • Only pursued "tiny schemes" like:
    • Finding ways to win McDonald's Monopoly
    • Getting into easy classes
    • Small ventures like a sushi restaurant

The key message is that while academics shouldn't be ignored, they shouldn't be the primary focus. College provides a unique environment for personal growth, relationship building, and entrepreneurial experimentation that isn't easily replicated later in life.