College 101 | David McCoullough Jr. | TEDxYale

Summary

In this heartfelt and humorous speech, the speaker reflects on their childhood struggles with learning, particularly their challenges with algebra. They share stories of family members, including their Uncle Tommy, who offered unconventional advice, and Mr. Mayu, a former WWII fighter pilot who became a pivotal math teacher. These experiences highlight the importance of perseverance, personal growth, and the value of struggle in education. The speaker emphasizes that true achievement comes from overcoming difficulties, inspiring both students and educators to embrace challenges rather than avoid them.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker feels honored to be included in a distinguished group of speakers and acknowledges the efforts of those working behind the scenes.
• 👶 As a child, the speaker would mimic his father by typing random characters on a typewriter, creating his own 'masterpieces'.
• 📘 The speaker reflects on an upcoming book release and recalls childhood memories where he would seek his father's feedback on his 'writing'.
• 🎓 The speaker shares a personal story from high school, describing how difficult subjects like Algebra intimidated him.
• 📉 The speaker humorously recounts how he used to count down minutes during math class, dreading each session, and how he struggled with understanding algebra.
• 💡 The speaker's uncle gave him unusual advice: 'Get Fs in September, so by June, everyone celebrates when you improve'.
• 📊 Despite failing many quizzes, the speaker was unexpectedly given a passing grade, which made him reflect on the fairness of the situation.
• ✈️ A turning point came when the speaker discovered that his math teacher, Mr. Mayu, was a World War II fighter pilot, which sparked his respect and desire to learn.
• 🏆 With the help of Mr. Mayu, the speaker worked hard and eventually earned a legitimate passing grade in Algebra 2, changing his outlook on learning.
• 🎓 The speaker, now a teacher, reflects on the importance of students facing challenges and struggling in order to grow, instead of having everything made easier for them.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's childhood memory of using his father's typewriter?

The speaker fondly recalls pretending to type on his father's typewriter as a child, even though he couldn’t yet read or write. This memory highlights his early fascination with words and writing, which later influenced his career as a writer.

What major event in the speaker's life took place 50 years after his childhood memory?

50 years later, the speaker mentions having written a book that his father has yet to read. This connects the early influence of his father with his current achievement of writing a book.

How did giving a commencement speech change the speaker’s life?

After delivering a commencement speech to high school students, the speaker's life changed dramatically when he received an opportunity to write a book, which he didn’t expect but embraced as an exciting challenge.

Why was the speaker intimidated when he first started high school?

The speaker was intimidated by high school because he was new to the town, didn’t know anyone, and found subjects like science, English, and especially mathematics to be very challenging.

How did the speaker struggle with Algebra, and what advice did his family give him?

The speaker found Algebra incomprehensible and described it as a subject designed to exclude him. His father advised him to work harder, while his Uncle Tommy gave unconventional advice, suggesting that he 'get Fs in September' to lower expectations.

Who was Uncle Tommy, and what was his role in the speaker's life?

Uncle Tommy was a carefree, fun-loving figure in the speaker's life, often leading the speaker and his brothers on adventures. He also provided humorous but supportive advice during the speaker's struggles with Algebra.

How did Mr. McCarthy, the speaker’s Algebra teacher, respond to his concerns about grades?

When the speaker approached Mr. McCarthy about receiving a grade that was too high, the teacher surprisingly complimented him, calling him a 'good kid' and assuring him not to worry, even though the speaker had failed the tests.

What was significant about the speaker's interactions with Mr. Mayu, his Algebra 2 teacher?

Mr. Mayu, who was also a World War II fighter pilot, inspired the speaker by showing him that learning algebra was important. His background as a war hero motivated the speaker to take the subject more seriously.

What lesson did the speaker take from his experience with learning Algebra?

The speaker learned that, while he didn’t particularly care about algebra, the respect and encouragement from his teacher, Mr. Mayu, made him realize that some things are worth learning because someone else believes in their importance.

What broader point does the speaker make about education today?

The speaker laments that many parents today try to make things too easy for their children, rather than allowing them to struggle and achieve success on their own. He emphasizes the value of hard work and self-earned accomplishments.