30A – Final Reflection

My most formative experience: By far, my most formative experience this semester was contending with the unpredictability and unforeseen circumstances of COVID while also contending with school and my own personal life. When I found out that I had to leave Gainesville, I had to (within a week), take two tests, complete assignments in four courses, pack up my apartment and my girlfriend’s apartment, and then drive us to my house to stay. This was a moment full of stress, anxiety, and doubt. What if I didn’t have enough time to study? What if I couldn’t sleep well and had to drive the next day? It was pretty rough to say the least. However, it brings out the best in us. I made amends where I could, and I planned with my girlfriend and just buckled down and did it. It took a great deal of grit and resilience on our behalves, but we got it done! Not only was this a great experience for us as a couple, but also as individuals. It tested our mental, physical, and emotional capabilities to the max.

My most joyous experience: My most joyous experience this semester started at the beginning of the course. When I found out that I had to come up with a business idea and an unmet need, my girlfriend and I sat down one night and came up with the idea of revising bags and packaging in the restaurant industry. I was really happy that I had something so niche and impactful, and that we were able to do it together as a team (As you can see, I am pretty head over heels about her too).

My most prideful experience: I am most proud of myself for taking and finishing this class as a whole. When I was in highschool, I was much more adventurous and entrepreneurial at heart. By the time I had graduated, I had started and ran 2-3 small local businesses in my community at a time. This gave me a lot of hands on experience, but I didn’t learn very many lessons from them (mostly due to them going exceedingly smoothly due to my connections, but also because I was young and naïve). In a way, taking this class was me forcing myself to get back in touch with that side of myself, which I am very proud of myself for doing!

I would absolutely say that I see myself now as more of an entrepreneur than when I first started this class. Being an engineer (computer scientist), I’ve always had a problem-solving mindset, but this class helped me to fine tune my methodologies and thought processes to be even more so. This class has taught me more than I ever expected, especially about efficiency, prioritizing on what actually matters, and getting the important things right. The little details only matter if you have the whole right! Being a perfectionist makes it hard to see that at times, but this class has helped me to combat it.

In addition, I have come to embrace my natural aptitude for being a realist. Before, I used to think that I needed to replace it with more positivity, but I have seen that it can actually be used as an asset to find opportunities when used properly!

If there’s one thing I had to recommend to students in this class in the future, it’s this: this class isn’t just about business, making money, or getting it off the ground. It’s also about being a better, smarter, more resourceful and more intentional individual. This has profound implications for every area of your life. Let Prof. Pryor be your mentor and get ready to learn! You get what you give… especially in this class. Once you realize that this class will impact you in ways you don’t even yet realize… you won’t have a hard time showing up and doing the work. Rather, it’ll be fun! Get ready to fall in love with the process of being better, one lecture and exercise at a time.

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