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What counsel would you give your twenty-year-old self — and what should they ignore?

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Grace Hopper United States Navy rear admiral; computer scientist; co-designer of COBOL
Always remember that it's much easier to apologize than to get permission. In this world of computers, the best thing to do is to do it.
Recorded Lake Forest College, Chicago Tribune, 9 December 1982 (via Quote Investigator), 9 December 1982 source ↗
Amy Tan Novelist; author of The Joy Luck Club
I go back to this idea that I only discovered when I was older. I wish I had known it when I was younger, because I think I missed a lot of observations in life. That is to develop your own philosophy. I always thought philosophy was one of the most useless subjects in the world.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview, 28 June 1996 source ↗
Eliud Kipchoge Kenyan marathon runner
Only the disciplined ones are free in life. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods. You are a slave to your passions.
Recorded Address at the Oxford Union Society, November 2017, Outside, 10 February 2018 source ↗
Ellen Ochoa Electrical engineer and astronaut; director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, 2013–2018
It’s a very interesting and challenging field! It’s important to study math and science throughout high school and college, and major in some technical area. Take advantage of all of the opportunities that colleges provide, including professor office hours, tutoring, student chapters of organizations like Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Society of Physics Students (SPS), and project-based hands-on classes.
Recorded Written interview published by the National Women’s History Museum, 8 August 2018 source ↗

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