quick thoughts

quick thoughts In my New Years Resolutions post, I wanted to make a promise to blog every week. Obviously, that hasnt happened. But Ive also had weeks where Ive blogged twice in a week so it basically makes up for it. I realize now that Im a blog behind so enjoy this extra little blog. I just wanted to update with some thoughts and things since the spring semesters started. 1. I dropped 6.009. So, after much deliberation and consideration and talking with people, I made the ultimate decision to drop 6.009. I have decided that taking five classes at MIT on top of a UROP and extracurriculars is hard. Dont take five classes unless you a) know you can handle it or b) absolutely have to. But even with (b), I dont recommend it. Ever since Ive dropped it and returned back to four classes, I am much happier! I have a lot more time in the day, now. I can use the time to go to the gym (I now work out 4-6 times a week rather than just 4!!!) and spend time with friends. 2. Im continuing my UROP at the MIT Education Arcade. Also after much deliberation with this one, after getting a different UROP in the Media Lab, I decided to keep my UROP with the MIT Education Arcade. I just found that I really liked the environment of the Education Arcade a lot more, and working with Meredith (my supervisor) and Melat (another UROP) was something I wasnt quite ready to give up yet. At my UROP, Im currently in charge of researching effects of previous gaming experience on gaming performance, as our research has to do with the effects of VR on learning. Its really interesting and I never really thought Id be all that into edtech but now its a field I am considering to pursue in the future! 3. I really, really like 6.08. 6.08 is my Intro to EECS via Embedded Systems class. Every week, were given design exercises, which essentially are these mini-projects with some specifications but no directions on implementation. Design exercises have ranged from making our own digital watch interface to making a system that returns weather conditions to trivia games. Here is one of the design exercises I made for the class: Please dont roast me for the bad wiring. I have never worked with a breadboard prior to this semester. Anyway, the class is difficult, but I think its the perfect level of difficulty. Its difficult enough where youre going to struggle, but you know its not impossible. This class honestly is the class that has shown me that 6-2/6-3 is a field I can enjoy and explore. Ive learned so,  so much in the five weeks Ive been in this class, and its improved my confidence in my coding abilities so much. Had you told high school senior year Cami that she would be doing this kind of stuff in only a year, she probably wouldnt have believed you. Prior to MIT, I only had about a year of coding experience under my belt, but kind of like..half-assed coding experience. It was basically a lot of me complaining about code, saying that APCSA was stupid, and that I will never ever be a computer science major ever. Well, look at here we are, stupid bitch. Youre a CS major, you can now code in C and Python, you know how breadboards work, youve done a bunch of fun labs and exercises, and youre enjoying it a lot. But in all seriousness, while it isnt always fun and games (I have legitimately cried because of how frustrated I get when I dont understand how to do an exercise, or when my design exercise code breaks), 6.08 has taught me so much. Also, Joe Steinmeyer is an absolute god. His lectures are incredibly engaging, entertaining, and fun, and I look forward to them every week. I highly, highly recommend taking 6.08 if youre looking to see if 6-2/6-3 is for you. 4. Im making an effort to be more social. This is something I really wanted to do a lot more in second semester! Ive been rushing joining more groups (I joined DT this semester!) and going to more events (Ive partied three weeks in a row. Perhaps this is not a good thing). Its really nice to walk around and know people and see familiar faces. 5. DT showings are next week. DT first showings are where everyone gets together and performs their dances to update the event coordinators on the progress of each group! Its a good time and its exciting to see everyone come together and perform. 6. Holy shit, I need to cook. Please. Please someone scream at me to cook. II havent cooked. Were out of snacks. Im going this Friday to buy groceries, but like. This is concerning. Someone please yell at me to cook. Thanks. 7. Have I mentioned Im in fencing? Im taking fencing. I hid the fact I was in a PE very briefly because I have this thing of when I tell people things, I never do it. So I made sure not to say anything until after I started actively going to the class (this also means that Ihave a lot of blogposts in progress but I cant really say anything because Im scared Im going to say something and then it ends up blowing up in my face. So. More posts on current things happening in my life probably in a month or so). Fencing is so fun! I like it a lot. I hope to take pistol next quarter, so I guess Im working my way to a pirates certificate. Ill probably take sailing next Spring and Im unsure for when Ill find the time to take archery. You should actually check out some of MITs PE classes. Theyre super cool. Anyway, thats really it from me. Hope this makes up for the fact I havent blogged in a bit! I really do miss it. Its just really hard to figure out what to write about when I cant really write about what Im doing at the moment because that means Ill flake on it. But some of the things I really, really want to blog about are going to be ending in about two weeks or so, so I should have some blogposts about those things up in a bit. Meanwhile, its midterm season! I have 8.02 midterm this Friday and then 6.042 next Wednesday. I am nervous. 6.042 is going to be my first official midterm on grades. Exciting, but simultaneously terrifying. Post Tagged #two posts? in one day? Yes