Failure is

Human

We’ve all felt “less than” at some point—not smart enough, not talented enough. But we’ve found that learning from our failures helps us grow.

Adjusting to MIT

Whether you just joined the MIT community this year (welcome!) or you are settling into a new major, community, class, or lab, it is normal to struggle with the transition and doubt whether you belong. Many Flipping Failure storytellers speak to the challenge of transitioning to MIT.

Video Story

Feeling Homesick

My first month at MIT was an absolute nightmare. Everything that could possibly be different was different. [...] I was struggling in my classes. I didn’t have any friends. [...] I just wanted to go home. ”

Meet Jessica,

Undergraduate student

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Video Story

Struggling with Self-Doubt

I kept on kind of questioning my ability to be here, my competencies.”

Meet Gerardo,

Graduate Student

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Audio Story

Overcoming Language Barriers

I noticed that my level of English was one of the poorest. And that made me feel humiliated. Embarrassed. So instead of practicing in order to improve the level, I did the opposite. I hid.”

Meet Magdalena,

Graduate Student

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Practice Coping Strategies

MIT students share strategies they have used to connect with peers, utilize their resources, and avoid comparing themselves to others.

Strategy

Talking to Mentors

MIT students talk about the valuable conversations they had with their mentors: conversations that led to different perspectives on personal struggles and personal strengths; and clarification of goals and advice on how to achieve them.

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Strategy

Social Connections

Hear MIT students discuss how giving and receiving support from peers has helped them stick to their study plans, prevent overload, and keep them energized.

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Strategy

Prioritizing Well-being

MIT students describe how they create space to be mentally and physically healthy while tackling difficult challenges.

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Reconsidering study habits

As they adjusted to the academic rigor, many MIT students had to reevaluate how they studied and develop new learning strategies.

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Katie: Studying for Deeper Understanding

Katie discusses how she asked for academic support and fine-tuned her study strategies after receiving a lower than expected grade on an exam.

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Jeba: Recognizing Gaps in Knowledge

Hear how Jeba asked for academic support and fine-tuned her study strategies when she found herself struggling with classes.

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Jessica: How to Approach Psets

Jessica becomes aware that working with others on problem sets allowed her to get by without fully understanding. She adopts the new strategy of working on the problems alone first and then filling in gaps by working with others.

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Neki: Getting Started with Writing

Neki describes how setting a timer and writing nonstop for 10 minutes helps free him from unrealistically high expectations that can impede progress.