'A Wasted Student' is a semi-autobiographical novel by Gustav Sack, an early expressionist writer. It follows Erich, a science student who grapples with philosophical questions about the nature of existence and humanity. Influenced by Nietzsche's ideas, Erich's pursuit of knowledge leads him to question the meaning of happiness and life itself. His struggles with these existential dilemmas shape his relationship with Loo, the daughter of a wealthy landowner, and his path through life. Ultimately, Erich's search for answers leads him to a profound sense of loneliness and the realization that his existence may be ultimately meaningless.