Ian standing on bridge

College: It’s Only a Game

Ian Alsop ’20

by Susan Tomases

When Ian Alsop ’20 started as a freshman at the University of Hartford, the COVID-19 pandemic was raging. Students were lonely in their dorm rooms or at home learning remotely and, let’s face it, school was just not what it’s supposed to be. Now, add a highly anxious roommate afraid to leave the room and you’ve got a formula for trouble.

Transitioning to college is hard enough without all of these obstacles. Ian struggled, as many students did, but became aware of his learning needs in this new environment of independence. He persisted, but by the end of the year, he was listed on academic probation.

Renewed Outlook

Feeling somewhat deflated but still hopeful, Ian returned the following year with a renewed outlook. He advocated for a single room in a four-bedroom suite to avoid the distractions of navigating the habits of a roommate, which he admitted, “was a game changer.” He added, “And learning math has always been a challenge for me, so to be more proactive, I found a math tutor.”

As a person who spends his free time playing video games, Ian began to realize that there was a connection between playing a video game and strategizing in the academic world. Ian played games differently than most. He is what you would call “a completionist,” wanting to get a score of 100% in several titles of mainstream video games. He explains, “The academic and essential life skills are comparable to the stats you earn in a computer game. For example, learning to solve problems efficiently, write more confidently, and manage time more effectively is like gaining advantages in a game—such as earning additional armor, strength, or speed. You acquire skills and knowledge to overcome challenges in a game—these challenges are like tests and quizzes at school. Each new semester is a new level. The final tests and exams at the end of the semester are what is considered the ‘boss fight’ at the end. When you finally defeat the boss, your grade is your high score.” 

Gaming Mindset

There’s nothing more motivating than achieving a goal and feeling successful. With some tools in place, a gaming mindset, and an improvement in his grades, Ian developed more confidence and started to set his sights on a new goal—to be placed on the University of Hartford’s President’s List, which requires maintaining a 3.8 grade point average.

With grit, determination, and his new approach, Ian earned a spot on the Dean’s List by the end of his first semester as a sophomore with a GPA of 3.32. And by the end of the second semester he had reached his goal and had landed on the President’s List. “The strategies that I implemented and practiced, along with the new habits, helped me reach my goal.” 

Now, halfway through his junior year, Ian has set new goals: a summa cum laude degree in Cinema and Media Studies, a master’s degree, and producing movies that inspire a new generation. Watch out for the name Ian Alsop, he may win an Academy Award one day.   

Ian’s Take

Inspirations:
Actor, Robert Downey Jr.
Directors, Ari Aster, Hayao Miyazaki, and Steven Spielberg 

Lessons for academic success:

  • Use the Pomodoro Method of working for 25 minutes followed by a five-minute break to get up and walk around. Any interval will work as long as you are comfortable. 
  • Make a list of everything you need to do in a day and revisit the list several times each day. 
  • Have multiple calendars, this way you cannot set yourself up to miss an important deadline. 
  • Do your work wherever there are the fewest distractions. Sometimes this is in my room, other times it’s in a quiet corner of the library. Mix it up for your brain to be comfortable with spontaneity. 
  • “I don’t face my bed when I’m working—it’s too tempting!”

Ian at computer playing game

Article originally published in The Lantern Fall 2022/Winter 2023.

< BACK TO ALUMNI STORIES