What is a lesson I learned from this experiment / who can benefit from this lesson

Not sure there’s a huge lesson here. Maybe give more time to things you think you’ll feel bad about not having spent more time on later.

I know the odds were low of getting this, but I still had a part of me over-believing in my chance. Not too upset all things considered, but I think that dissonance exists to some degree.

I think that dissonance comes from some belief that I am able to do something, and feel that I could even be more capable than many who actually are there.

Perhaps this is over confidence, a chip on my shoulder, or what have you. But it’s an interesting feeling to explore.

I think this feeling also comes up during job rejections, but I guess you live with that possibility for less time.