Final answer:
Most college mistakes are due to growing pains and a transition to a more self-directed learning environment, along with unconscious biases and a lack of critical thinking. Students often prioritize wealth over happiness in their career choices and may not realize when they are engaging in academic dishonesty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most of the mistakes around college are simply college growing pains. These are often a result of the complex transition from the structured support of high school to the self-directed environment of college. This lack of support can lead to poor decision-making and mistakes ranging from skipping classes to overarching life choices regarding careers and happiness. In addition, some mistakes are due to unconscious assumptions about the future or a lack of critical thought, and these cognitive errors can manifest in various ways, such as academic dishonesty cases where students may not even realize they are cheating or plagiarizing.
Furthermore, college is a critical period where students make significant decisions based on their classes, majors, and anticipated careers. The pursuit of wealth, often at the expense of happiness, influences these decisions, which reveals a complicated cause and effect relationship that students navigate during their college years. Recognizing and reflecting on the propensity to make mistakes can empower students to become more critical and reflective thinkers, and thereby avoid common pitfalls associated with their college experience.