The misconception that Elon Musk's success came without schooling

Reader Phamthanhlong commented: "Those who think dropping out can still lead to success should reconsider Elon Musk's example. Despite his genius, he studied and learned fundamental math and physics; his success wasn’t handed to him like winning the lottery."

This comment was sparked by a recent sharing of Musk’s university homework from his time at the University of Pennsylvania, where he worked on calculating moments of inertia from basic principles. Many found it fascinating as it underscored the Tesla CEO’s academic roots and intellectual rigor.

Elon Musk (R) attends the Viva Technology conference in Paris, France, June 16, 2023, in a photo by Reuters, and his physics assignment paper at the University of Pennsylvania in a photo shared on X.

Another reader, Đọc, added: "Somehow, people got the idea that the wealthy didn't study much or that math and physics are pointless. These people forget that their smartphones rely on thousands of scientific formulas. Leading global firms are tech companies, rooted in science. The wealthy worry they haven't studied enough, while others complain about learning. With this mindset, how will they ever succeed?

Vietnam's top billionaires studied in Eastern Europe, often with backgrounds in physics, proving that academic commitment fuels lasting success. And I notice billionaires always choose top schools for their children, never advising them to skip education."

Reader Hung Phi also highlighted the value of education: "Billionaires didn't succeed because they quit school. Most attended top universities but left because those institutions couldn't keep up with their thinking. They left to pursue more challenging learning paths—not to avoid studying."

Reader Tamduc concluded: "Only those who struggle academically or avoid hard work justify skipping school by pointing to billionaires who didn't finish college. They fail to see that most of the wealthy excelled in school. They left when opportunity called, not because they lacked talent. Without talent, they wouldn't have succeeded."