Choice | Vivian Guo | TEDxHuili Shanghai Youth

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth - The speaker initially struggled to define herself and present her best self in university applications, facing the challenge of choosing between different aspects of her identity [3] - The speaker learned to embrace her messy, multi-dimensional self, recognizing that imperfections are part of authenticity [4][12] - The speaker realized that university choices do not define one's future; rather, it is the courage to keep choosing that matters [12] University Application and Choice - The speaker's dream university was University College London (UCL) since the age of 13 [2] - UCL values disruptive thinking [4][11] - The speaker applied to two different programs at UCL: Use and Society and Sustainable Future, and International Study and Political Social Sciences [4] - The speaker's program at UCL rejects 89% of applicants, making her part of the 11% who received an offer [6] Overcoming External Doubts and Backlash - The speaker faced doubts and questions from others regarding her choice of UCL, including concerns about it being a "Chinese student bubble" or a "safety school" [5] - The speaker learned that backlash often reflects others' limited imagination and fear of unconventional paths [7][12] - The speaker emphasized that choosing a university should be based on intellectual fit rather than ranking [7] Embracing Uncertainty and Future Possibilities - The speaker used Deep Seek to explore 20 different career paths possible with her UCL programs, highlighting the beauty of uncertainty [8][9] - UCL is viewed as a "permission slip" to keep reinventing oneself, rather than a final destination [10]