This chapter reflects on the challenges of adulthood, particularly for young college students grappling with self-agency and independence. It delves into the speaker's personal experiences as a mixed-race individual and the complexities of balancing societal expectations with personal fulfillment. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the significance of mentorship, resilience, and aligning one's career with personal values to lead a meaningful life.
Whether it’s grades and test scores, cushy jobs or big salaries, our ideas of “success” tend to be incredibly narrow and often start incredibly early. Julie Lythcott-Haims is a New York Times bestselling author and former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford, and she is dedicated to helping people reconsider what really makes a happy, “successful” adult. Julie shares wisdom for parents and anyone who has been parented on why it’s crucial to question societal expectations, how to find your own path and why empathy towards yourself and others are the true key to loving who you’ll grow up to be. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts