I once tried joining elite group at uni but when they started solving N-dimensionals puzzles I just got depressed and left. My advice is enjoy what you have an

I once tried joining elite group at uni but when they started solving N-dimensionals puzzles I just got depressed and left. My advice is enjoy what you have and enjoy yourself and be kind. You have to be born ultra talented or compromise a lot. Some of these people in elite group cried openly that they didin't have childhood due to study (and some still went on easy mode and now aren't even in field as got bored. Such is life) I for example started coding when I was 12 on extracircular stuff and guy from these classes he studied a lot and now is doing well at Google Zurich. You could think he's smart (and indeed he is). Still I myself wouldn't trade my time exploring more - hacking, playing MMOs with friends, trying to create games, balroom dancing etc. This is stuff that I still remember fondly. Anyway if you are fine with trading some comfort then probably there's some cool startup that would hire you All that blocks most people is comfort and fear of death. We already live in world full of opportity. Elon said he had epithany after trying to live only on noodles for month. Steve Jobs also had interesting talk. My bro-in-law traveled half of world fot free (Couchserfing). My other nighbour got killed in Africa. Such in life. I still think risking more to pursue dreams is worth it. smart != wise so don't beat yourself Also "shallow" skills combined often are more practical and valuable, just hard to market To sum up my advice and life experience: be kind and squarely to yourself. Jesus was onto something