“The secret to life is to waste time in ways that you like.”
Ah, such profound wisdom from a great philosopher. Was it Socrates, Confucius, or maybe Nietzsche?
Nah, today‘s profound wisdom comes from a different kind of sage—Jerry Seinfeld.
Not exactly ancient wisdom, but it’s the most refreshing truth in a world obsessed with productivity, achievement, and prestige.
The Obsession with Rankings and Ivy Leagues
In education, we often see students (and, let’s face it, parents) chasing the holy grail of rankings and Ivy League acceptances. The implicit belief is that if you’re not attending a top-ranked university, you’re wasting your time.
But what if the real waste of time is in pursuing paths that don’t bring joy, fulfillment, or authentic curiosity? What if the true secret to career success isn’t in the prestige of a degree or a university but in how you spend your time—both in and out of the classroom?
The Irrelevance of Colleges and Degrees in Career Success
In a world where employers care more about skills and experience than diplomas, we need to rethink education. We’ve seen countless stories of successful entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators who either never went to college or who pivoted far away from their original degrees.
And I speak from personal experience. I started in pharmacy school, ended up with a bachelor’s degree in Genetics and Cell Biology and a master’s in Higher Ed, worked in HR, sales & marketing, and even ran a retail company importing natural stones from around the world—all before I finally landed where I truly belonged. My path wasn’t linear, and neither are the most fulfilling careers today.
Yet, the irony is more apparent than ever. While students and parents continue to chase brand-name institutions as if they hold the key to success, the job market is shifting in a different direction: competency over credentials, experience over education, and skills over grades. The real world values what you can do, not just where you went to school.
As we approach college decision season, students, parents, and counselors are bracing for the emotional roller coaster of acceptances, rejections, and waitlists. Meanwhile, across the world, high school students are taking year-end exams, with a looming fear that a few percentage points could define their futures.
It’s a high-stakes period, where the narrative of success often feels narrow and unforgiving. The pressure to get into a “top school,” to earn perfect grades, and to tick every box can make it seem like anything less is a failure.
But as Seinfeld’s quote reminds us, perhaps the real secret to success lies not in meticulously following the script but in allowing ourselves the freedom to waste time wisely—to explore, experiment, and find joy in the journey, not just the destination.
Why Wasting Time (the Right Way) Matters
The best education might not come from endless hours in a classroom but from the freedom to explore, to follow whims, and yes, even by wasting time wisely.
Taking a Gap Year: Instead of rushing into college, what if more students traveled, volunteered, or worked to discover what truly excites them?
Pursuing Hobbies: Many great careers start as side projects or passions that initially seemed like wasting time.
Embracing Unstructured Time: Not every moment needs to be optimized for achievement. Boredom, aimless curiosity, and unscripted experiences often lead to the most unexpected insights and opportunities.
