Fan Chung's classic research advice resurfaces: plenty of mistakes allowed, one win is enough
tianyin_xu · x · 2026-11-06
A timeless advice note on doing research by Fan Chung (UCSD) is circulating again, endorsed by scholars on X: research is not a timed exam (PhD bound is 5 years), mistakes are plenty and fine, one success out of many attempts is good enough. Start before you feel 'ready', develop depth in one area while keeping breadth, and let real applications guide taste. As Erdős put it: 'My brain is open' — luck favors the prepared. The reposter recalls their UCSD CSE days: 'For the love of it!'
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