McGeorge says her accomplishments come from daily habits of discipline, inner self-belief and making meaningful connections
Planning, self-belief and human connection are habits that shape success, said Iris McGeorge, a junior marketing major from Thailand. “Being homeschooled taught me how to plan and improve myself, but now I’m learning to let people in because no success in life can replace the relationships you have,” she said.
While being homeschooled
Growing up in Thailand, McGeorge said having a homeschool background allowed her to create her own curriculum with the help and guidance of her parents. “I planned what I studied and my parents would double-check it with educational experts to make sure it was a good plan,” she said.
Before she was homeschooled, McGeorge said she attended a formal school where she struggled academically and felt inadequate. “My grades were bad and people told me I wasn’t going to succeed, but my mom homeschooled me to prove I was just as smart as everyone else,” she said.
“It took long hours and hard work, but when I finally did well on a test, I realized I could succeed too,” said McGeorge. During her homeschool years, she said she worked with tutors and followed a strict academic schedule, which eventually helped her see her potential.
She said one of the most important habits she developed was learning to stop discrediting herself after failure.
You still feel disappointed when things go wrong, but you have to keep going and not let those emotions stop you.
Through those formative years, McGeorge said she slowly built confidence by focusing on her progress instead of perfection. “I didn’t feel fully confident until I was around 18 or 19, but I needed that time to figure out what I was capable of,” she said.
Transition to class in person
Now in college, McGeorge said transitioning from homeschooling to attending class in person was challenging because she said she wanted people to see more of who she is beyond her organized planner personality. “When you’re always organizing and planning, you forget to leave space for people to really know you,” she said.
McGeorge said this habit became important to her after realizing rigid schedules and task lists were limiting her ability to connect with others. “I want to be more present with people and have deeper conversations, not just focus on what’s next on my to-do list,” she said.
Since the Fall semester of 2024, McGeorge said she has made an intentional effort to open up to friends and family and create more shared experiences. “I’ve been making more time for my loved ones and our relationships have gotten stronger,” she said.
As she’s learned to let others in, McGeorge said she’s seen growth in her friendships and a deeper sense of community. “We don’t just talk about our favorite movies anymore. We understand each other’s struggles and that makes life feel lighter,” she said.
When asked how she works on new habits, McGeorge said she doesn’t rely heavily on books or online resources but she values real conversations and honest feedback. “Talking to people and getting their perspective helps the most because other people see you differently than you see yourself,” she said.
She said relationships have become a priority in her personal development because no achievement can replace the support and love of those around her.
No amount of success can substitute for meaningful relationships.
Vision for the future
Looking ahead, McGeorge said she hopes to become more approachable and friendly, especially as she prepares for a career in the business world. “I can come off as serious or distant, but I want to be someone people feel safe and comfortable to be with,” she said.
McGeorge said she envisions herself working in the business-to-business (B2B) marketing field, particularly in civil engineering, where clear communication and trust are essential. “People open up more about their needs when they feel heard, and that only happens if you’re friendly and approachable,” she said.
To build that image, McGeorge said she is focused on visualizing the kind of person she wants to be and then taking small, consistent steps to get there. “You have to picture who you want to become and then slowly fill in that outline,” she said.
As she reflects on her childhood dreams, McGeorge said she once imagined becoming someone like a Disney princess, always happy, smiling and full of light. “But I realized you don’t just become that person. Life shapes you through hard times,” she said.
She said she’s still on the journey of becoming the person she imagined, but with more depth and resilience than she expected. “I can still be that person in my head, but only if I let life shape me in a positive way,” she continued.
When it comes to knowing what habits to work on, McGeorge said it starts with being honest with yourself and listening to the people who care about you.
You have to know your worth while you’re changing. That’s what helps you grow without losing who you are.