This document provides college advice for the Class of 2020 at Bronxville High School. It covers topics like taking care of yourself, academics, internships and jobs, public speaking, money management, and social skills. The main pieces of advice are to treat college like founding your own startup and having an entrepreneurial mindset, prioritize relationships and health, get good grades to keep options open after graduation, and continuously work on skills like communication, punctuality, and being helpful to others.

1. For the Bronxville High School
STUFF I WISH I HAD BEEN
TOLD GOING INTO COLLEGE
A GUIDE TO SURVIVING AND THRIVING
OUTSIDE THE BRONXVILLE BUBBLE
May 2020
Class of 2020
By Ned Kenney
Class of 2006

2. Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author (although, for the record, he drew heavily on
input from dozens of friends and family members who are WAY be>er at life than he is). This guide does not necessarily
reflect the views or opinions of the company for which the author works, his acquaintances in organized crime, or his
considerable network of Myspace friends.
Please keep in mind as you’re reading this presentaGon that it’s simply impossible to adhere to every guideline herein.
(This is especially true for the author, who has been consistently disappoinGng himself and those around him since his days
in utero.)
[Moving from the 3rd
to the 1st
person…]
That said, I hope at least a few things will resonate with you – and change your perspecGve/behavior for the be>er – as
you kick ass in college and beyond.
Good luck!
Ned Kenney
Bronxville High School Class of 2006
2© 2020 Ned Kenney. All rights reserved.

3. Embracing an Entrepreneurial/Ownership Mindset
• Congratulations! You just founded your first company and are now officially an entrepreneur. On your first day of
college this fall, you’ll be launching version 1.0 of your product: you. People are going to love it.
• Your Key Roles/Responsibilities
o Chief Executive Officer: Set long-term goals, devise a plan to achieve them, and marshal the resources necessary to
execute effectively.
o Chief Product Officer: Continuously improve your offering by strengthening existing features and introducing new
ones.
o Chief Marketing Officer: Generate awareness and demand for your offering – and build a brand people like and trust.
• This may seem daunting, but I have faith in you and think you can handle everything – especially if you adhere to the
following real-world entrepreneurial best practices:
o Action > inaction.
§ Don’t wait for opportunities to seek you out – they rarely will, especially early on. Get out there and make things
happen.
§ If something isn’t working well, bite the bullet and make a change.
o Remember: nobody cares about your success as much as you do. And no one can make things happen for you as
effectively as you can for yourself.
o Be the kind of person others want to see succeed, and don’t be shy about asking them to lend a hand. They’ll be more
receptive to doing so if you’ve been useful to them in the past.
o Don’t sweat the competition or the haters. It’s all just noise. Keep executing.
o Take (calculated) risks. No guts, no glory.
o Stay insatiably curious. Develop mental models that help you make sense of the world – and continually update those
models as you encounter new ideas and information.
o Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion. (In the words of Cameron Hanes: “Nobody cares, work harder.”)
• What follows is a wide range of additional strategic, tactical, and philosophical advice likely to help your new startup
achieve phenomenal success – with a happy, healthy CEO at the helm. Let’s get to it… 3

4. Taking Care of Yourself
• GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Minimum of 7 hours per night. 8 is even better.
• EAT WELL. More protein, fewer carbs/other forms of sugar.
• EXERCISE REGULARLY. Cardio and strength training. Especially important if you’re prone to depression.
• INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS. Platonic and romantic. Your health depends on it – literally. We know this thanks to
researchers who began tracking 268 Harvard students in 1938 and monitored them over the next seventy-five years
years as part of what became known as the Grant Study. The key finding, according to the study’s longtime director,
George Valliant: “Warmth of relationships throughout life has the greatest positive impact on life satisfaction.
Happiness is love. Full stop.”
• LAUGH ON A REGULAR BASIS. It’s crucial. To this end, become a fan of Gary Gulman, if you’re not already. Start
here.
• Be critical of yourself, but ONLY to the extent doing so helps you improve. Beyond that, cut yourself a break.
• If you’re wrestling with a psychological malady – e.g. depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder – know two things:
o You are not alone – even if it might feel that way sometimes.
o There are lots of ways to get help, but you need to ask for it. As long as you do so… things will get better.
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5. Academic
• IF NOTHING ELSE, ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING TWO GOALS DURING COLLEGE:
o Secure a 3.60 GPA at an absolute minimum. 3.80+ is even better. Doing so will keep you in the running for the most
prestigious jobs and graduate programs post-college.
o Forge great relationships with at least two professors. Invest in them, and help them invest in you; take them to
lunch, go to office hours, take multiple classes with them, do the readings before class, ask questions, and get good
grades. You will learn a lot from them, and you will have two real advocates when you inevitably need
references/recommendations.
• Course/professor selection is critical. Your best resource: people a year or two ahead of you.
• Cheating is never worth it, and don’t sweat the people who are cutting corners. Keep your head down and get your
work done.
• Half the battle is staying organized.
o Keep your files up to date and in the cloud.
o Use a calendar app and task manager (e.g. Asana) to keep track of deadlines and to-dos.
• What’s your story? Take classes and pursue extracurriculars that work toward that story. (It’s OK if the story changes.)
• STUDY ABROAD for a semester. Your stateside friends will be there when you get back. Take advantage of an
opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and meet new people.
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6. • Course Selection
o In an era of rapid change, course content is less important than learning how to think critically, frame a question, and
express yourself clearly. Think about the underlying skills you want to take into the world rather than simply
punching a ticket.
o Pick courses not on the basis of the description, but rather on the reputation of the professor for challenging
students. Students tend to do better when they are intellectually engaged, even if the material is difficult.
Remember that performing well in a class with a top notch professor builds your confidence.
o Seek out advice from older students, but be discerning about doing what they say in terms of what fits best with
your abilities and interests. Be skeptical about advice that includes phrases like, “The professor gives good notes,” or
“The tests are easy or right from the book, so you don't have to go to class.”
o Seek out smaller classes and seminars, so that you get to know your professor and expand your circle of friends.
• Interacting with Professors
o Avoid being high maintenance. Complete assignments on time and identify crunch periods ahead of time, so that
you can responsibly ask for an extension. Don't miss a deadline and then expect the professor to solve your
problem.
o Create a good impression in your email communications with your professors. Don't use first names unless the
professor invites you to. Don't use slang or texting abbreviations, either.
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Academic ctd.
Words of Wisdom from a Dartmouth Professor

7. Work – From Internships on Up
• Be situa,onally aware. Every company has its own culture/norms. Take the Gme to observe/understand them and adjust
your appearance/behavior accordingly.
• Keep your immediate boss/supervisor happy. Good way to do so: anGcipate her needs and make progress to address
those needs before you’re asked.
• Appearance:
o Clothing: It’s not about the brand or the price, it’s about how well it fits and is maintained. Find a good tailor and
keep things dry cleaned/ironed/washed/steamed/etc. Look CRISP.
o Hygiene: Easy on the cologne/perfume. Also, “has B.O.” and “rising star” don’t typically describe the same person.
• Unfortunately, a>enGon to detail really does ma>er.
• AcGvely seek feedback – but don't be annoying about it.
• Don’t be that guy or that girl at events with alcohol.
• If you become known as unfailingly reliable, the most interesGng opportuniGes will find you.
• If you’re going to idenGfy a problem, ALWAYS a>empt to accompany it with a soluGon.
• Mistakes happen. Don’t cover them up; take responsibility, then move on. And don’t make the same mistake twice.
• Keep your personal life/emoGons out of the workplace.
• Don’t take negaGve feedback personally. Everyone has room to improve.
• Keep a list of your most notable accomplishments/substanGve contribuGons in real Gme. This list will be indispensable
to preparing for performance reviews, negoGaGng a raise/promoGon, and updaGng your resume.
• Human Resources employees are osen super nice – and good listeners! However, assume that every single thing you say
to them – even “in confidence” could be relayed back to your managers and used against you. They’re paid to advance
the company’s interests – not yours.
• You can never have too many napkins stashed away in your desk.
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8. Public Speaking/Presenting
• Don’t just ra>le off a succession of facts; weave them into a narraGve arc. Tell a story. Doing so will make your words
more emoGonally resonant, convincing, and memorable to your audience.
• (Competently delivered) self-deprecaGng humor is your best friend. Main reasons:
o Minimal risk of offending others, which can happen easily with jokes that have external targets;
o You’ll make people laugh and feel more at ease, which will get them to like you more;
o Paradoxically, poking fun at yourself conveys self-confidence and a posiGve self-image, which will make people
respect you more.
• Be prepared. Preparedness = confidence. It’ll show.
• Good charts win meeGngs.
• AnGcipate likely quesGons/points of confusion and address them proacGvely.
• If you’re staGng something as a fact, make sure it’s definitely true. Have the data to back it up. People will challenge you
on certain things. You won’t get flustered if the facts are on your side AND you can cite them readily.
• Budget your Gme to end a presentaGon early. You will always talk for longer than you anGcipate, no ma>er how many
Gmes you’ve pracGced.
• SPEAK SLOWLY.
• If you’re using a visual aid (e.g. a PPT/Keynote deck), put no more than 20 words on each slide. Punchy phrases,
graphics, lots of empty space. If you have Gme, use animaGons so that only one idea shows up at a Gme.
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9. Talking Good
• Stop saying “like”.
• Know what you’re going to say before you start speaking.
• Don’t be a hostage talker: avoid telling long and boring stories.
• Maximize your substance-to-syllable ratio. (Sometimes big words help with this. Sometimes they don’t.)
• Don’t start sentences with “So...”.
• Avoid ending statements by trailing up as if you're asking a question… even though you're not.
• Stop apologizing when you didn’t actually do something wrong.
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10. Money Mabers
• No matter your academic major or professional aspirations, take at least one economics class – ideally one on financial
markets. Many “well-educated” people are financially illiterate. Don’t be one of them.
• Credit cards: open one now if you haven't already. Pay off the balance every month. Establishing a credit score before
you graduate is important for when you need to find an apartment post-college.
• Do everything you can to avoid not having health insurance, even for a few days; getting hurt can spell financial ruin.
• After graduating from college: based on your salary (and any other sources of income, e.g. your parents), stick to a
budget that allows you to put 5% of your pretax income in a savings account (AND contribute to your 401k – see
below) without taking on debt. This is your rainy day fund. Keep your fingers crossed it never rains.
• Investing
o Some companies will match some or all of the money you divert directly from your paycheck into your retirement
savings account (most commonly a 401k). If your employer is one of them, contribute the highest amount they’ve
agreed to match. Even without employer matching, you can still contribute to your 401k and get exposure to
financial markets that way. It’s relatively easy and tax-efficient.
o If you have the resources to take on additional exposure to financial assets, you should strongly consider doing so.
Don't buy individual stocks or shares of “actively managed” funds (which have higher fees without better
performance). Instead, buy index funds (for both stocks and bonds) and a basket of cryptocurrencies.
o You’re young – go overweight equities and crypto (i.e. take on more risk), but diversify with bonds.
o Only put money into investments that you know you won’t need for YEARS. Market fluctuations and fees will eat
you up if you prematurely liquidate.
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11. Dealing with the Police
• In dangerous situations, cops are often on the front lines keeping others out of harm’s way. They deserve a lot of
credit and respect for their efforts. That said, some cops do bad things to innocent people. Protect yourself by
knowing your rights – and how to assert/exercise them appropriately.
• Don’t spend any more time interacting with the police than you absolutely have to. You don’t need to be guilty to
get arrested, and you can only get arrested while standing next to a cop, so minimize the time you’re doing so.
• Be respectful to officers and deferential to their authority, but if they do anything concerning, be ready to
unapologetically record them on video and confidently assert your rights. For example:
o Per the 1st
Amendment: You can take photos/record video of whatever you want – including cops themselves – in
public spaces, as long as you’re not interfering with them. So, record all you want – just don’t get in a cop’s way.
o Per the 4th
Amendment: Without probable cause or a search warrant, a cop can’t lawfully search you or your
property. If he says something like, “Just let me search you and then I’ll let you go,” that’s a giveaway that he
knows he doesn’t have probable cause and is therefore pressuring you to waive your 4th
Amendment rights. Don’t
give in.
o Per the 5th
Amendment: Do not answer questions from the police without consulting with a lawyer first. This
applies to any situation where they might suspect you of criminal activity – even if you’re not under arrest. This
video goes into more detail on why it’s important to keep your mouth shut.
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12. Being a Modern-Day Awesome Chick / Real Solid Dude
12
• Be a net giver and avoid people who are takers. The key to any healthy relaGonship is reciprocity. Good people (and
winners) find ways to contribute consistently with zero expectaGon of immediate repayment.
• SAY YES TO EXPERIENCES. Concerts, hikes, road trips, whatever: just say yes. They’re Miracle-Gro for friendships and
self-discovery. Plus, the value of these experiences to you will grow with Gme. The opposite is true of most material
things.
• Be punctual. If you’re “really nice” but always late, you can and should do be>er.
• Write a handwri>en thank you note when someone goes above and beyond to help you.
• Make eye contact. Doing so is almost always a good thing.
• Praise publicly. CriGcize privately. And do way more of the former than the la>er.
• Remember people’s names. They’ll remember that you remembered.
• Don’t make life difficult for the person doing everyone a favor. Someone’s planning an ouGng and needs you to send her
money so she can buy Gckets for the group? If you make her email you three Gmes and your only response is “Relax, I’ll
pay you” before begrudgingly doing so weeks later, you’re part of the problem.
• If you don’t take photos, that’s fine: just don’t give people who DO take them a hard Gme. Eventually, you’ll be glad they
exist.
• Don’t have important discussions (especially about contenGous issues) over text/phone/email – in person is way be>er.
• Always exude confidence, but never act as if you’re the smartest person in the room. Even if you know you probably are.
• It takes work to be a good friend and neighbor. Most people know to avoid sins of commission. Be mindful of sins of
omission. (E.g. not RSVPing to stuff or missing a chance to do something nice for someone with minimal effort).
• Reach out to people aser something bad has happened to them. They’ll always remember your kindness.
• Always think for yourself and maintain your individuality. Beware of adopGng any idenGty wholesale, e.g. lax bro, sorority
chick, or perpetually aggrieved leCist protestor. In communiGes like these, it’s easy for a mob mentality to take hold and
invite lousy ideas, bad behavior, and regre>able outcomes. (That said, by all means play lacrosse, join a Greek house,
and/or pracGce peaceful acGvism. Just don’t let such acGviGes define or consume you.)

13. Being a Modern-Day Awesome Chick / Real Solid Dude ctd.
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• It's rarely the screwup that ruins careers, reladonships, etc. It's the cover-up of the screwup. BE HONEST AND
ACCOUNTABLE. (Required reading, will take you less than an hour: Lying by Sam Harris.)
• Never make decisions (especially highly consequenGal ones) when you’re angry and/or upset. Take a walk, call a friend,
cool down, then reassess the situaGon. Ideally, sleep on it.
• Stay off your phone when socializing. Be fully present whenever you can.
• Be direct with people and arGculate your concerns/frustraGons earlier rather than later. Give people a chance to fix
things. If you seethe in silence, you are not a vicGm.
• Don’t claim vicGm status unless you really are a vicGm, and if you accuse someone of wrongdoing (especially publicly),
make absolutely certain you’re right. Stay as far away as possible from people who perpetually cling to a vicGm
mentality. That mindset is for buck-passing employees. Remember: you’re an owner and this is your show.
• There are tons of different social seyngs. No one thrives in (or enjoys) all of them. Reflect on the headway you're
making as a social animal – and recognize the seyngs where you're most comfortable/happy, which will VERY likely be
where you’re most likable/producGve. Put yourself in these seyngs more osen.
• If you hear someone say something nice about a friend when they’re not present, be sure to tell them what you heard
the next Gme you talk to them. It’ll make their day.
• You're never too busy at the library to say hi to the maintenance guy. You’re never too busy at dinner to ask the waiter
how his night’s going. And you’re never too busy to smile at a stranger while holding the door for her. Such subtle acts
of kindness will make you happier and the world brighter.
• If you’re making conversaGon with a stranger, don’t ask quesGons or make comments they’re likely to have heard many
Gmes before. E.g. if you meet a comedian, don’t say, “Tell me a joke.” And if you meet a dude named David Bowie, for
the love of God, don’t ask, “Oh, like the singer?”
• Avoid going a “level up” in arguments, e.g. “People warned me you were like this,” or “You’re selfish and I hate you.” SGck
to the specific issue at hand.
• There’s no bigger buzzkill than a guy who takes himself too seriously.
o Daniel Tosh: “If you’ve ever u>ered the phrase, ‘There’s nothing funny about blank,’ we’d never hang out. Yes, there is
if you write good jokes.”

14. Miscellany to Keep in Mind
• Find a hobby you’re passionate about and love spending time on. Writing in a journal, woodworking, taxidermy,
philately… it doesn’t really matter what, as long as you’re having fun, not hurting yourself or others, and continually
improving at whatever you’re doing.
• Beware of people who feel backed into a corner; they do strange, unpredictable things. If at all possible, give these
people an “out”. E.g. if you see someone trying to walk off with your phone, say, “Hey, might you have accidentally
mistaken my phone for yours?” That way, you’ve addressed the situation without having needed to levy a serious
allegation and potentially trigger someone’s fight-or-flight response.
• Related to the previous bullet: DO NOT escalate any type of confrontation with anyone who checks even one of the
following boxes:
o Has WAY less to lose than you do, in that specific moment and/or in general.
o Is drunk/otherwise highly under the influence.
• The number of people you are in regular contact with will peak during college. And that's totally OK. Predictable, even.
Your post-college 20s will be about investing in the people who really matter.
• It’s OK to say no when people ask for things: your time/attention, your money, your emotional energy, whatever.
• Make sure you have AT LEAST one person (and ideally 3-4) in your life at any given time who:
o Knows you well;
o You see/speak to regularly;
o Cares deeply about you and is genuinely happy when you succeed;
o Can be trusted with confidential information;
o Is CANDID with you and willing to tell you things you don’t necessarily want to hear, but need to hear in order to
understand your shortcomings and become a better person.
• Don’t cry over spilt milk. Move on. This approach eliminates 99% of the things people get upset about.
• Delayed gratification: Do something your future self will thank you for.
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15. Life Pro Tips
• Music makes EVERYTHING beber.
o Buy a decent wireless speaker and bring it with you to social gatherings. Best <$100 purchase I’ve ever made.
o At the start of each semester, trip, etc., create a new playlist and listen to it repeatedly during that period. Years later,
that music will take you right back to wherever/whenever you iniGally listened to it. A veritable Gme machine.
o One thing to beware of, though: Any music you listen to repeatedly while geyng through a breakup or other
traumaGc event could wind up being unlistenable down the road. (I suggest Bon Iver for your next breakup or death
in the family because it’s intrinsically sad music and kind of sucks, so nbd if you can’t listen to it ever again.)
• Guys: when buying a suit, if possible get two pairs of pants with the jacket. (Pants usually wear out first.)
• Go to music fesGvals. They’re awesome. And bring a Camelback. Fill up/freeze the reservoir the night before. You’ll have
endless cold water as the ice melts over the course of the day.
• The “Irish goodbye” – i.e. leaving a gathering without telling anyone – is underrated and underuGlized. It saves you Gme
and energy, and no one’s gonna be sad you didn’t interrupt their conversaGon just to tell them you’re bouncing. The
important thing is that you showed up and hung out.
• Do you get socially anxious, especially when talking to strangers one-on-one? Ask them quesGons. Most people love
talking about themselves and it’ll take the pressure off you. Plus, they’ll like you more because by asking quesGons,
you’re expressing an interest in their life.
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16. Big Ideas to Guide You
• The golden rule will almost always help you figure out the right thing to do: TREAT OTHERS THE SAME WAY YOU
WANT TO BE TREATED. (Unless you’re a masochist.)
• It’s be>er to be wise than right.
• Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.”
• GRATITUDE AND POSITIVITY: PRACTICE THEM!
o Remember where you came from and the people who helped you get where you are today.
o What happened today that you’re grateful for?
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