How One Professor’s Backhanded Compliment Changed My Approach to Learning

Discovering the value of persistence through an unexpected lesson in doubt and determination

Photo by Nachristos on Unsplash

There are key inflection points throughout our lives that change our whole trajectory.

An event, a friend’s words, or a mentor’s guidance can all make us rethink our approach.

As far as I can remember, I’ve never received advice like this. That’s not to say I’ve never received advice. But it’s always years later that I finally realize the impact of an event or conversation.

One professor’s comment completely changed how I think about perseverance and adversity. But even if she remembers me, I’m sure she never thought twice about this conversation.

I Don’t Know If I Can Recommend Getting a Language Degree

I studied Japanese at university and was a transfer student. By sheer coincidence — or economic necessity on her part — I had the same professor teach me at my junior college and university.

Unlike any other professor I met, we got to know each other well. By the last semester of my fourth year, she had a pretty good read on her eighteen students.