Welcome back to UM! An extra warm WELCOME to the new HCers joining us through the Open Application as well as recommended by your RCs and the Dean of Students. Also welcome to read my first Friday email of this semester.

I recently came across someone’s post (anonymous, and so I do not have a citation for it) about “How we are Taught to measure success” versus “A Better measure of success”. I shall provide my comment at the end of the mail, but here are the points.

“How we are Taught to measure success”

  • Job title
  • Salary

“A Better measure of success” (with one-eighth of each)

  • Good relationships
  • Lifelong learning
  • Making a difference
  • Liking what you do
  • Financial health
  • Career
  • Free time
  • Good health & wellbeing

Do you agree? As you can see, at HC, we emphasize on providing an environment for you to develop good personal traits, such as empathy and ethics, rather than merely academic performances, as important attributes for leadership in the future. Likewise, it takes time for a person to develop the above measures. For example, how often can we make a difference? How often can we have free time? While we need to have the opportunities, we should not wait for them to come. We can always create opportunities by building solid foundations. And by the way, do NOT misinterpret! “Financial health” does not mean you have plenty of money. It simply means you have a healthy financial structure, such as enough to spend on necessities, and perhaps being able to spare some for charity, rather than having a lot of money to buy luxurious brand items. Also, being able to have a balanced lifestyle to allow time for exercise, social gathering, sleeping, and still enough time to work and study is not as easy as it looks. I am sure you know very well.

I do not necessarily agree with every point above. Still, I think it might help you have a good start of your semester, and building up healthier lives for your future. Ultimately, what we at HC hope for is for you to become better and more useful persons for the world.

Talk to you next week.