Thomas sat in his small dorm room, surrounded by books, notes, and the glow of his desk lamp. He was laser-focused on his studies, determined to make the most of this second chance. But his mind also raced with the opportunities he knew were out there. The knowledge he carried from his past life—the rise of certain companies, market trends, and key events—felt like a secret weapon. He just had to use it wisely.
In his first few months at university, Thomas didn't waste any time. The money he'd earned from small lottery wins and sports bets gave him just enough to start investing in the stock market. He remembered which companies would boom and carefully picked his first investments, knowing he couldn't afford to take big risks.
One of his first moves was buying shares in a small tech company called Vertex Networks. The name wasn't exactly as he remembered, but he knew it was close enough. In his past life, the company had grown rapidly during the late 1990s internet boom. At the time, its stock was priced low—only $10 a share—and Thomas jumped on the opportunity, investing $5,000.
By December, Vertex had announced a partnership with a mobile provider, and its stock soared to $45 a share. Thomas sold his shares, turning his $5,000 investment into $22,500. The rush of excitement he felt wasn't just about the money—it was the confirmation that his knowledge of the future could change his life.
Encouraged by his success, Thomas looked for his next opportunity. He remembered a broadband company, Techline Communications, that would soon expand as demand for internet services exploded. In January 1996, he bought 200 shares at $25 each. By spring, Techline's stock had more than doubled to $58 a share. Once again, Thomas sold his shares at the right time, walking away with over $11,000.
His biggest win of the year came later. Thomas remembered a software company, Miracore Systems, that was about to release a groundbreaking operating system. The company's stock had been struggling at $30 a share, but Thomas knew that would change quickly. In November 1995, he invested $10,000, buying 300 shares.
By December, the buzz around Miracore's new operating system caused its stock to skyrocket to $95 a share. Thomas sold his shares, making a $19,500 profit. In just a few months, his careful investments had turned into over $53,000.
While his financial wins were thrilling, they came with challenges. Balancing his investments with his university life wasn't easy. Thomas spent long hours in the library, studying hard for exams. He knew that education was the foundation of his new life. If he let it slip, all his plans could fall apart.
His friends started to notice his focus and determination. They teased him about how serious he'd become, but he brushed it off, saying he just wanted to do well. What he didn't tell them was that this drive came from the lessons of his past life. He couldn't afford to waste this second chance.
Even his professors noticed his hard work. Thomas wasn't the same distracted, careless student he had been in his first life. Now, he treated education as a tool to build something better, not just a box to check off.
As the semester ended and exams approached, Thomas reflected on how much had changed. In just a few months, he had started building wealth while also laying the groundwork for his education. Every decision he made now felt significant—every choice had the potential to shape his future.
Thomas felt the pressure, but he also felt the thrill of possibility. His strategy of small, smart investments had given him a head start he never thought possible. And as he looked ahead, he couldn't help but wonder just how far he could go if he continued to play his cards right.
This time, he wasn't going to waste his chances.