Posted by Braden
When did Sundays get so busy? My word! I used to come home from church (back when I lived at home) and read a book, play a game with my siblings, or take a nap. But somehow Sundays have gotten really busy since I got here.
On a recent Sunday I had church, ward council, a mission interview, hall meeting, hall council meeting, a visit from my home teachers, home teaching appointments to set up, a fireside, ward prayer, a weekly journal entry to write, and a phone call home to make! And somewhere in there I ate lunch and dinner. Whew! I guess this is what Sundays will probably feel like for the rest of college, eh? There will be different things filling the slots each week, but there's always something. Sunday is still a break from the rest of the week, but it is restful in a busy, restful kind of way.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Easter Island 2.0
Posted by Braden
What happens when you mix a lot of snow with a lot of kids and a lot of time? A gigantic snow cave with a seven-person capacity and a sculpture of a face on the front, of course!
What happens when you mix a lot of snow with a lot of kids and a lot of time? A gigantic snow cave with a seven-person capacity and a sculpture of a face on the front, of course!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Nap Time
Posted by Braden
I've tried really hard to do better this semester—really, I have. But no matter what I tell myself, I just can't seem to get in bed before midnight. There's too much happening late at night to sleep through it all! At the end of last semester I was averaging a 2 a.m. bedtime. This semester started with an average around 1 a.m., a minor improvement. However, my schedule also changed; my first class no longer starts at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Now my first class starts at 8 a.m.! So I save one hour of sleep five times a week and lose three hours three times a week; that's a net loss of four hours of sleep per week for Braden!
I have remedied this with the reintroduction of nap time! (Reintroduction in that nap time WAS once a part of my schedule, but I was 3 feet tall then). I suppose it isn't necessarily a scheduled thing. Usually it happens just two or three times a week; I get in bed in the middle of the day and set my alarm for an hour or two later. These naps are nothing big, but they sure do help me keep my head during the week!
I've tried really hard to do better this semester—really, I have. But no matter what I tell myself, I just can't seem to get in bed before midnight. There's too much happening late at night to sleep through it all! At the end of last semester I was averaging a 2 a.m. bedtime. This semester started with an average around 1 a.m., a minor improvement. However, my schedule also changed; my first class no longer starts at 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Now my first class starts at 8 a.m.! So I save one hour of sleep five times a week and lose three hours three times a week; that's a net loss of four hours of sleep per week for Braden!
I have remedied this with the reintroduction of nap time! (Reintroduction in that nap time WAS once a part of my schedule, but I was 3 feet tall then). I suppose it isn't necessarily a scheduled thing. Usually it happens just two or three times a week; I get in bed in the middle of the day and set my alarm for an hour or two later. These naps are nothing big, but they sure do help me keep my head during the week!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Class that Ate My Second Semester
Posted by Braden
So I thought that after the first couple of assignments from my ME 172 (engineering graphics) class, everything would get easier, because I'd start to understand the programs, and assignments would take less time.
No, each assignment still takes five to six hours to do.
I've done five assignments now; we have two assignments per week. I'm just not used to such large assignments! Reading assignments for my other classes never take that long, and any single math assignment has never been that large. And these aren't even projects; they're just regular homework assignments that, by nature, take forever to do.
Thank goodness I took this class this semester instead of last semester! If I'd been introduced to college with this class, I do believe I would have died—or at least been very distrusting of college for a very long time. Because I already have a semester under my belt, I now know that this class is the exception and not the rule, though it may be normal when compared to other mechanical engineering courses; I guess I'll see.
So I thought that after the first couple of assignments from my ME 172 (engineering graphics) class, everything would get easier, because I'd start to understand the programs, and assignments would take less time.
No, each assignment still takes five to six hours to do.
I've done five assignments now; we have two assignments per week. I'm just not used to such large assignments! Reading assignments for my other classes never take that long, and any single math assignment has never been that large. And these aren't even projects; they're just regular homework assignments that, by nature, take forever to do.
Thank goodness I took this class this semester instead of last semester! If I'd been introduced to college with this class, I do believe I would have died—or at least been very distrusting of college for a very long time. Because I already have a semester under my belt, I now know that this class is the exception and not the rule, though it may be normal when compared to other mechanical engineering courses; I guess I'll see.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Love of Learning
Posted by Laura
At my high school graduation, a very wise teacher gave all of the graduates advice for college. He said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education." I don't think I fully understood this advice until I actually started my college classes. It can be so easy to adopt the mindset of just reading through the syllabus and seeing only the requirements for that dream A grade, and then just going through the motions to get the work done. However, I am attending BYU to get a worthwhile education, and my classes present an incredible opportunity to learn and grow.
Having a sincere love of learning makes my classes so much more enjoyable. My homework is more meaningful when I find ways to apply what I've learned as opposed to just regurgitating a list of definitions from short-term memory. I absolutely love the feeling that comes when you can tell your roommate, as she is eating a potato, that it contains more nutrient-dense potassium than the banana your other roommate is eating. I love the feeling that comes when you can help your little brother with his chemistry homework. I love the joy that comes when you work so hard that you are able to celebrate by dancing to the midnight library music. I love the feeling that comes when you understand the tricky details of microorganisms enough to know that if you lick your hands after touching the door handle, the drinking fountain handle, or the toilet seat that you could get some nasty diseases. Those are the moments that make all of the time, hard work, and lack of sleep in college completely worth it.
At my high school graduation, a very wise teacher gave all of the graduates advice for college. He said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education." I don't think I fully understood this advice until I actually started my college classes. It can be so easy to adopt the mindset of just reading through the syllabus and seeing only the requirements for that dream A grade, and then just going through the motions to get the work done. However, I am attending BYU to get a worthwhile education, and my classes present an incredible opportunity to learn and grow.
Having a sincere love of learning makes my classes so much more enjoyable. My homework is more meaningful when I find ways to apply what I've learned as opposed to just regurgitating a list of definitions from short-term memory. I absolutely love the feeling that comes when you can tell your roommate, as she is eating a potato, that it contains more nutrient-dense potassium than the banana your other roommate is eating. I love the feeling that comes when you can help your little brother with his chemistry homework. I love the joy that comes when you work so hard that you are able to celebrate by dancing to the midnight library music. I love the feeling that comes when you understand the tricky details of microorganisms enough to know that if you lick your hands after touching the door handle, the drinking fountain handle, or the toilet seat that you could get some nasty diseases. Those are the moments that make all of the time, hard work, and lack of sleep in college completely worth it.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Turning in Mission Papers
Posted by Braden
Today I sent my mission papers to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. But the process of getting them completed up to that point started a few months ago.
In November I turned 19 and arranged an interview with my bishop through the ward executive secretary. In the interview, we set up an account for me online and he showed me the papers I had to fill out.
Over Christmas I had my medical and dental forms completed by my doctor and dentist. Well, sort of. I went and had my doctor's appointment. I got home and realized that they hadn't given me two of the shots I needed. So I went back and got those shots. Then, the day before leaving, I realized that they hadn't done the blood work or tuberculosis (TB) tests that I needed. I got the blood work done, but TB tests take three days, so I had to get that done at the BYU Student Health Center once I got back out to Utah. My insurance covers a dentist cleaning once every six months. I had to go back to school sooner than my next six-month appointment, so instead we paid for just a little examination and I'll have the cleaning done this summer before I leave.
After all of my papers finally reached my bishop, and after my bishop got back from a vacation he'd been on, I was able to have my second interview. We went through all of the papers and double-checked everything, he wrote his recommendation, then he forwarded it on to the stake president.
I showed up in the "first-come, first-served" line for stake presidency interviews on Sunday at noon. An interesting fact about BYU stakes: they are the only stakes in the church where it is approved for the counselors in the stake presidency to do mission interviews, in addition to the president. Because we send off multiple hundreds of missionaries each semester in this stake, it makes sense to spread the workload. I had my interview, President Brad Wilcox (the first counselor in my stake presidency) typed in his recommendation, and then they let me click "send."
It's hard to not think about it now. I've heard various reports about what day of the week mission calls typically show up in the mail, how long it takes for them to show up, how the amount of postage correlates to stateside vs foreign calls, how many weeks after your availability date you are typically asked to report, etc. The other hard thing is deciding what to do when I get my call! Some people open it with the whole ward looking on and their family on the phone. Others open it up by themselves and announce it at ward prayer. A part of me wants to go for a walk and open it by myself. On the other hand, I always find it so exciting when someone from the ward opens his publicly. I just don't know! I suppose I have approximately two weeks to decide. Now I just need to find out what time of day the mail comes so I can start checking the mail compulsively every day for my envelope.
Today I sent my mission papers to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City. But the process of getting them completed up to that point started a few months ago.
In November I turned 19 and arranged an interview with my bishop through the ward executive secretary. In the interview, we set up an account for me online and he showed me the papers I had to fill out.
Over Christmas I had my medical and dental forms completed by my doctor and dentist. Well, sort of. I went and had my doctor's appointment. I got home and realized that they hadn't given me two of the shots I needed. So I went back and got those shots. Then, the day before leaving, I realized that they hadn't done the blood work or tuberculosis (TB) tests that I needed. I got the blood work done, but TB tests take three days, so I had to get that done at the BYU Student Health Center once I got back out to Utah. My insurance covers a dentist cleaning once every six months. I had to go back to school sooner than my next six-month appointment, so instead we paid for just a little examination and I'll have the cleaning done this summer before I leave.
After all of my papers finally reached my bishop, and after my bishop got back from a vacation he'd been on, I was able to have my second interview. We went through all of the papers and double-checked everything, he wrote his recommendation, then he forwarded it on to the stake president.
I showed up in the "first-come, first-served" line for stake presidency interviews on Sunday at noon. An interesting fact about BYU stakes: they are the only stakes in the church where it is approved for the counselors in the stake presidency to do mission interviews, in addition to the president. Because we send off multiple hundreds of missionaries each semester in this stake, it makes sense to spread the workload. I had my interview, President Brad Wilcox (the first counselor in my stake presidency) typed in his recommendation, and then they let me click "send."
It's hard to not think about it now. I've heard various reports about what day of the week mission calls typically show up in the mail, how long it takes for them to show up, how the amount of postage correlates to stateside vs foreign calls, how many weeks after your availability date you are typically asked to report, etc. The other hard thing is deciding what to do when I get my call! Some people open it with the whole ward looking on and their family on the phone. Others open it up by themselves and announce it at ward prayer. A part of me wants to go for a walk and open it by myself. On the other hand, I always find it so exciting when someone from the ward opens his publicly. I just don't know! I suppose I have approximately two weeks to decide. Now I just need to find out what time of day the mail comes so I can start checking the mail compulsively every day for my envelope.
Friday, January 22, 2010
It Starts
Posted by Braden
Yesterday that thing that I always knew was going to start happening, but couldn't see actually happening, finally happened: I got a Facebook invitation with the title, "Justin and Mollie are getting married!" I probably should have been quieter—a few of my roommates were already asleep—but I started laughing. Hard. Somebody MY age . . . getting MARRIED . . . NOW?! It doesn't make any sense. We're too young. What is she thinking? Is she sure she's ready for such a large change? Once the engagements start, they won't stop coming for a while. Who will be next?
After a few big breaths and a little more laughing, I got a hold of myself. But man, marriage? Already? I suppose it's a little bit more fathomable for girls, but still. I guess I'd better get used to it, though, 'cause no matter what I think or do, it's gonna keep happening.
Yesterday that thing that I always knew was going to start happening, but couldn't see actually happening, finally happened: I got a Facebook invitation with the title, "Justin and Mollie are getting married!" I probably should have been quieter—a few of my roommates were already asleep—but I started laughing. Hard. Somebody MY age . . . getting MARRIED . . . NOW?! It doesn't make any sense. We're too young. What is she thinking? Is she sure she's ready for such a large change? Once the engagements start, they won't stop coming for a while. Who will be next?
After a few big breaths and a little more laughing, I got a hold of myself. But man, marriage? Already? I suppose it's a little bit more fathomable for girls, but still. I guess I'd better get used to it, though, 'cause no matter what I think or do, it's gonna keep happening.
Fifth-Grade Review
Posted by Elise
I am currently sitting in Bio 100 learning about the scientific method. I’m pretty sure we learned this in fifth grade and have reviewed it every year since. Gotta love general eds.
I am currently sitting in Bio 100 learning about the scientific method. I’m pretty sure we learned this in fifth grade and have reviewed it every year since. Gotta love general eds.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
(Not) Hungry? Why (Not) Wait?
Posted by Braden
It has taken a while to transition, but at last I think I've made the change: I no longer eat at mealtime, I eat whenever I'm hungry.
It's a big change. At home I couldn't raid the kitchen whenever I felt like it, because I was going to "spoil my dinner." Not only that, if one kid gets to snack whenever he feels like it, then all the kids in the family can—and that would be chaotic. Furthermore, at home I didn't have those delicious, homemade frozen burritos to fall back on whenever I was hungry.
I started first semester eating at somewhat set times, but I have since digressed. Yesterday, for example, I wasn't hungry when I woke up, so I didn't eat breakfast. I had class until 2 p.m., after which I came home and had a mega-meal (roughly equivalent to 1.67 meals in mass), followed by a regular-sized meal at 10 p.m. night and a .33-of-a-meal-sized snack around 12:30 a.m. I'm still getting three meals a day—I'm just not quite so picky about the shape, size, or order they come in. I'll eat when I'm hungry and not a moment before!
It has taken a while to transition, but at last I think I've made the change: I no longer eat at mealtime, I eat whenever I'm hungry.
It's a big change. At home I couldn't raid the kitchen whenever I felt like it, because I was going to "spoil my dinner." Not only that, if one kid gets to snack whenever he feels like it, then all the kids in the family can—and that would be chaotic. Furthermore, at home I didn't have those delicious, homemade frozen burritos to fall back on whenever I was hungry.
I started first semester eating at somewhat set times, but I have since digressed. Yesterday, for example, I wasn't hungry when I woke up, so I didn't eat breakfast. I had class until 2 p.m., after which I came home and had a mega-meal (roughly equivalent to 1.67 meals in mass), followed by a regular-sized meal at 10 p.m. night and a .33-of-a-meal-sized snack around 12:30 a.m. I'm still getting three meals a day—I'm just not quite so picky about the shape, size, or order they come in. I'll eat when I'm hungry and not a moment before!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Modern Homework
Posted by Laura
I think I've made the adjustments needed to get back into school mode. I have my schedule memorized and don't have to look at a printed copy to find the room number. Faces are becoming familiar and I've learned a couple of names. However, when it comes to homework, things have changed.
The majority of the classes for my major require homework to be submitted online. Forget the paper and pencils—it's strictly uploading your answers, and I don't know if I like it. It's kind of scary to think that a computer is grading my homework, and computers can be ridiculous. For example, in my chemistry class, if your answer is plural, the computer classifies your answer as incorrect. Spell a word wrong or put a space in an incorrect place and CLINK—docked credit. I have never been so nervous or so unsure about my homework answers in my life. Not because I think I did the calculations wrong, but because I think I did something grammatically incorrect that won't meet the computer's standards. A lot of general and core classes are switching to online submitting; it makes me wonder if future college generations will ever know what paper, pens, and drop boxes really are.
I think I've made the adjustments needed to get back into school mode. I have my schedule memorized and don't have to look at a printed copy to find the room number. Faces are becoming familiar and I've learned a couple of names. However, when it comes to homework, things have changed.
The majority of the classes for my major require homework to be submitted online. Forget the paper and pencils—it's strictly uploading your answers, and I don't know if I like it. It's kind of scary to think that a computer is grading my homework, and computers can be ridiculous. For example, in my chemistry class, if your answer is plural, the computer classifies your answer as incorrect. Spell a word wrong or put a space in an incorrect place and CLINK—docked credit. I have never been so nervous or so unsure about my homework answers in my life. Not because I think I did the calculations wrong, but because I think I did something grammatically incorrect that won't meet the computer's standards. A lot of general and core classes are switching to online submitting; it makes me wonder if future college generations will ever know what paper, pens, and drop boxes really are.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"Taking Notes" = "Tkng Nts"
Posted by Braden
Sometimes I think it would be really nice to have a laptop to take notes in class. There are few things more frustrating than missing the last few lines of notes on a slide and knowing that you're going to be tested over the information that you just missed. One method I've been using to minimize this risk:
Skppng vwls in the wrds I wrt on my ppr. Nw, I knw it isn't the prttst thng to lk at, bt fce it, you cn stll rd wht I'm wrtng, cn't you? And it crtnly svs tm onc you gt gd at it. The cntxt of the wrds tpcally tk cr of any uncrtnties, and it's nt the wrst thng in the wrld if you nd to add a vwl or two in a lng wrd for clrty's sk, lk I jst dd in "uncrtnties."
Now I obviously don't skip all the vowels: leading vowels stay. When a word is only two letters long, it gets both letters; otherwise "at," "it," and "to" would all look the same, as would "in," "on," and "no." And if a word is one syllable long but doesn't end with a consonant sound—such as "the" or "you"—it usually gets to keep its final vowel(s) as well. There are a few other things to watch for, such as silent Es; they are included when they change the sound of the letter before them. Thus, the word "face" becomes "fce"; the word "once" however becomes "onc" because there really aren't many words that begin in "onc." I know, it sounds like a headache, but shorthand is really rather intuitive once you start doing it. And like I said, it isn't too terrible if you accidentally add vowels in places where they wouldn't be normally—just don't make a habit of it; it'll slw you dwn.
Sometimes I think it would be really nice to have a laptop to take notes in class. There are few things more frustrating than missing the last few lines of notes on a slide and knowing that you're going to be tested over the information that you just missed. One method I've been using to minimize this risk:
Skppng vwls in the wrds I wrt on my ppr. Nw, I knw it isn't the prttst thng to lk at, bt fce it, you cn stll rd wht I'm wrtng, cn't you? And it crtnly svs tm onc you gt gd at it. The cntxt of the wrds tpcally tk cr of any uncrtnties, and it's nt the wrst thng in the wrld if you nd to add a vwl or two in a lng wrd for clrty's sk, lk I jst dd in "uncrtnties."
Now I obviously don't skip all the vowels: leading vowels stay. When a word is only two letters long, it gets both letters; otherwise "at," "it," and "to" would all look the same, as would "in," "on," and "no." And if a word is one syllable long but doesn't end with a consonant sound—such as "the" or "you"—it usually gets to keep its final vowel(s) as well. There are a few other things to watch for, such as silent Es; they are included when they change the sound of the letter before them. Thus, the word "face" becomes "fce"; the word "once" however becomes "onc" because there really aren't many words that begin in "onc." I know, it sounds like a headache, but shorthand is really rather intuitive once you start doing it. And like I said, it isn't too terrible if you accidentally add vowels in places where they wouldn't be normally—just don't make a habit of it; it'll slw you dwn.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Three-Day Weekend
Posted by Elise
What do you get when you cross a bunch of poor college students with a three-day weekend? Way too much fun!
Saturday night a group of friends got together to play games. It started with a game full of running and hitting (with a club made of newspaper). The games then escalated to trying to rip open presents while wearing snow gloves. Trust me, it is harder than it sounds! And we ended with a game where the loser gets his or her face written on with charcoal. A word of warning if you decide to try this at home: if you say (even jokingly) that you want to get your face charcoaled, your friends will chase you, pin your arms, and hold you in a headlock until they color your entire face . . . not that I speak from experience.
What do you get when you cross a bunch of poor college students with a three-day weekend? Way too much fun!
Saturday night a group of friends got together to play games. It started with a game full of running and hitting (with a club made of newspaper). The games then escalated to trying to rip open presents while wearing snow gloves. Trust me, it is harder than it sounds! And we ended with a game where the loser gets his or her face written on with charcoal. A word of warning if you decide to try this at home: if you say (even jokingly) that you want to get your face charcoaled, your friends will chase you, pin your arms, and hold you in a headlock until they color your entire face . . . not that I speak from experience.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thanks for the Haircut
Posted by Braden
The other day I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "Wow, I have a lot of hair." It was getting a wee bit scruffy in the back, too. I remembered seeing one of my hallmates with haircutting accessories, so I asked him if he'd give me a nice little trim—you know, just clean up the edges and thin it out a little bit. So he started cutting. We got to talking as he snipped away, having a good conversation. Then he finished and said, "Go see what you think." I got up, looked at myself in the mirror, and thought, "Wow, I don't have very much hair." My bangs went from 3 inches to 1 centimeter. It looked good, just not what I was expecting. I thanked him for the haircut, told myself that it'll all grow back eventually, and continued on with my day. On the positive side, I'm not going to need a real haircut for another few months now! I'll probably need a trim somewhere there in the middle, but now I know to ask one of the girls in my ward next time—I imagine they'll be a little less likely to give me a buzz.
The other day I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "Wow, I have a lot of hair." It was getting a wee bit scruffy in the back, too. I remembered seeing one of my hallmates with haircutting accessories, so I asked him if he'd give me a nice little trim—you know, just clean up the edges and thin it out a little bit. So he started cutting. We got to talking as he snipped away, having a good conversation. Then he finished and said, "Go see what you think." I got up, looked at myself in the mirror, and thought, "Wow, I don't have very much hair." My bangs went from 3 inches to 1 centimeter. It looked good, just not what I was expecting. I thanked him for the haircut, told myself that it'll all grow back eventually, and continued on with my day. On the positive side, I'm not going to need a real haircut for another few months now! I'll probably need a trim somewhere there in the middle, but now I know to ask one of the girls in my ward next time—I imagine they'll be a little less likely to give me a buzz.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Snow!
Posted by Sarah
For most people, snow isn't a big deal, but for me, it is. I come from a tropical paradise where people put on scarves and mittens at 60 degrees (that's Fahrenheit, not Kelvin). Before this winter I had never been in a snowball fight, built a snowman, made a snow angel, had my legs sink up to my thighs when I stepped in the wrong place, or even seen snow for that matter!
Preparing for the snow was all new to me. I had to get a warm jacket. They don't even sell those those in Florida! I also had to get snow boots. I have a quick question: What are those exactly? Not to mention the ever-popular long johns—the only thing I could think of, aside from ski pants, to keep my legs warm!
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you see someone dressed like an Eskimo, wandering around campus sticking her tongue out to catch snowflakes, don't be alarmed! It's just me.
For most people, snow isn't a big deal, but for me, it is. I come from a tropical paradise where people put on scarves and mittens at 60 degrees (that's Fahrenheit, not Kelvin). Before this winter I had never been in a snowball fight, built a snowman, made a snow angel, had my legs sink up to my thighs when I stepped in the wrong place, or even seen snow for that matter!Preparing for the snow was all new to me. I had to get a warm jacket. They don't even sell those those in Florida! I also had to get snow boots. I have a quick question: What are those exactly? Not to mention the ever-popular long johns—the only thing I could think of, aside from ski pants, to keep my legs warm!
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you see someone dressed like an Eskimo, wandering around campus sticking her tongue out to catch snowflakes, don't be alarmed! It's just me.
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Material that Is Actually NEW
Posted by Braden
Last semester I took Book of Mormon, chemistry, biology, physics, health, and history. Even though I'd never taken those classes in college, they were all review for me. I've been studying the Book of Mormon for as long as I can remember; I took chemistry in 10th grade; biology in 9th; physics in 11th and 12th; health in 7th and 9th; and history in every grade in high school and in middle school. Even when my college classes taught "new" material, it was usually merely an extension of material I'd already had.
This semester, that is not the case. I'm taking Math 343 (linear algebra) and ME 172 (engineering graphics), and they aren't just building on old information. These classes are legitimately new, and it's throwing me a little bit.
I spent six hours in the computer lab yesterday doing my first homework assignment for 172. I had to produce two of the simplest machine parts in the world on the computer, but I had to do each in computer-aided-design (CAD) programs that I had never used before! And worse—there wasn't a single TA in the lab the entire time I was there! I brute-forced my way through making the parts, using make-shift techniques and digging through my instruction manual to find whatever I could to make my parts look like the diagrams I had. It was not very enjoyable. I'm sure the class will get easier once I know how to use the programs, but at the moment it feels an awful lot like tossing a kid who can't swim into the ocean and saying "learn how to swim, or else."
Linear algebra is similar, but not quite as bad. I think I learned about matrices once in algebra II my sophomore year of high school. I knew what a matrix was and, very briefly, what one could do with matrices if he or she felt up to it. The second homework assignment for the class had already surpassed what I'd learned how to do in high school, and I found myself needing to pave new paths in my mind to understand this near-completely new material. Likewise, I imagine thinking in terms of reduced row-echelon augmented matrices will come more easily soon enough, but that doesn't make these first few weeks any less confusing or stressful!
Last semester I took Book of Mormon, chemistry, biology, physics, health, and history. Even though I'd never taken those classes in college, they were all review for me. I've been studying the Book of Mormon for as long as I can remember; I took chemistry in 10th grade; biology in 9th; physics in 11th and 12th; health in 7th and 9th; and history in every grade in high school and in middle school. Even when my college classes taught "new" material, it was usually merely an extension of material I'd already had.
This semester, that is not the case. I'm taking Math 343 (linear algebra) and ME 172 (engineering graphics), and they aren't just building on old information. These classes are legitimately new, and it's throwing me a little bit.
I spent six hours in the computer lab yesterday doing my first homework assignment for 172. I had to produce two of the simplest machine parts in the world on the computer, but I had to do each in computer-aided-design (CAD) programs that I had never used before! And worse—there wasn't a single TA in the lab the entire time I was there! I brute-forced my way through making the parts, using make-shift techniques and digging through my instruction manual to find whatever I could to make my parts look like the diagrams I had. It was not very enjoyable. I'm sure the class will get easier once I know how to use the programs, but at the moment it feels an awful lot like tossing a kid who can't swim into the ocean and saying "learn how to swim, or else."
Linear algebra is similar, but not quite as bad. I think I learned about matrices once in algebra II my sophomore year of high school. I knew what a matrix was and, very briefly, what one could do with matrices if he or she felt up to it. The second homework assignment for the class had already surpassed what I'd learned how to do in high school, and I found myself needing to pave new paths in my mind to understand this near-completely new material. Likewise, I imagine thinking in terms of reduced row-echelon augmented matrices will come more easily soon enough, but that doesn't make these first few weeks any less confusing or stressful!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Painful Misunderstanding
Posted by Braden
I'm taking volleyball this semester. I didn't take a gym class last semester, so this is my first time having a permanent locker in the Richards Building (RB) and regularly getting the BYU athletic-issue clothes. On the first day of class, the teacher said that we could get socks, shorts, and a shirt—which we must wear to participate—in the locker room.
So for the next day of class, I got each item of BYU issue. But there was one problem: they're like '80s-style clothes! The socks are tube socks that go halfway up your leg, and the shorts are the short shorts that almost make you feel immodest—the kind that basketball players wore in the '80s with their tube socks, for goodness' sake!
But since we had to wear BYU issue, I sucked up my pride, put on the shorts and shirt, and went to the gym, somewhat consoled by the fact that everybody must feel as ridiculous as I did. (I did skip on the socks; I figured I could get away with just keeping my own ankle socks, and there are some things my pride just won't let me do.) I walked into the gym and found only ONE other person wearing these gross shorts! And 15 seconds later, class started, so I was stuck wearing them for the rest of the period.
Turns out, only the BYU shirt is absolutely necessary; you can wear your own shorts and socks if you want to, no problem! Now I know, and never again will I put on those abominations from the RB locker room.
Note: At the end of winter semester 2009, BYU phased out its physical education clothing. This post by Braden, as with all posts on this blog, was written a year ago, before the clothing was discontinued. Here is a brief article from BYU Magazine about the clothing change.
I'm taking volleyball this semester. I didn't take a gym class last semester, so this is my first time having a permanent locker in the Richards Building (RB) and regularly getting the BYU athletic-issue clothes. On the first day of class, the teacher said that we could get socks, shorts, and a shirt—which we must wear to participate—in the locker room.
So for the next day of class, I got each item of BYU issue. But there was one problem: they're like '80s-style clothes! The socks are tube socks that go halfway up your leg, and the shorts are the short shorts that almost make you feel immodest—the kind that basketball players wore in the '80s with their tube socks, for goodness' sake!
But since we had to wear BYU issue, I sucked up my pride, put on the shorts and shirt, and went to the gym, somewhat consoled by the fact that everybody must feel as ridiculous as I did. (I did skip on the socks; I figured I could get away with just keeping my own ankle socks, and there are some things my pride just won't let me do.) I walked into the gym and found only ONE other person wearing these gross shorts! And 15 seconds later, class started, so I was stuck wearing them for the rest of the period.
Turns out, only the BYU shirt is absolutely necessary; you can wear your own shorts and socks if you want to, no problem! Now I know, and never again will I put on those abominations from the RB locker room.
Note: At the end of winter semester 2009, BYU phased out its physical education clothing. This post by Braden, as with all posts on this blog, was written a year ago, before the clothing was discontinued. Here is a brief article from BYU Magazine about the clothing change.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Do You Want Fries with That?
Posted by Elise
This semester holds a lot of firsts for me: It's my first time taking a dance class, living in the snow, choosing my entire schedule on my own (no Freshman Academy envelope this time). But most importantly, it was my first time getting a real job. And by real I mean my boss is someone other than my dad.
So the first week of work was . . . well, actually it was kinda fun. I work at the Scoreboard Grill in the Cougareat. And, yes, that means I’m flipping burgers for minimum wage. But that’s the best way to start out, right? The people I work with are so fun to be around; everyone is joking around and chatting while we work, even singing at times.
There is rarely a dull moment at work because I work the lunch shift--rush hour! Being busy helps the time pass quickly. And here’s the best part about the whole thing: I get to go straight from work to my last class, choir. So of course I walk into choir smelling like burgers and fries. Now let me tell you, that’s an attractive scent right there! I just wanna bottle it up and use it as perfume. And for those of you who did not catch the sarcasm in the last few sentences, "gullible" is written on the ceiling.
This semester holds a lot of firsts for me: It's my first time taking a dance class, living in the snow, choosing my entire schedule on my own (no Freshman Academy envelope this time). But most importantly, it was my first time getting a real job. And by real I mean my boss is someone other than my dad.
So the first week of work was . . . well, actually it was kinda fun. I work at the Scoreboard Grill in the Cougareat. And, yes, that means I’m flipping burgers for minimum wage. But that’s the best way to start out, right? The people I work with are so fun to be around; everyone is joking around and chatting while we work, even singing at times.
There is rarely a dull moment at work because I work the lunch shift--rush hour! Being busy helps the time pass quickly. And here’s the best part about the whole thing: I get to go straight from work to my last class, choir. So of course I walk into choir smelling like burgers and fries. Now let me tell you, that’s an attractive scent right there! I just wanna bottle it up and use it as perfume. And for those of you who did not catch the sarcasm in the last few sentences, "gullible" is written on the ceiling.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My Own Room
Posted by Braden
I have my own room this semester—and it's SO nice!
I no longer have any need for a lamp, because I turn off the lights when I go to bed, and nobody ever wants them off before I do.
I no longer need headphones, because everybody in my room likes the music that I play when I play it.
I have floor space—more than just enough to walk on! I can come in, take off my shoes, and leave them in the middle of the room. Then I can hang my coat on my extra chair to dry.
I have two closets—aka "a ridiculous amount of storage space"—and I've made sure to put something in every single one of the drawers, simply because I can.
I'm getting so spoiled from all of this! Realistically, this is probably the last (it's also the first, coincidentally) time in my life that I'll have my own room. I should have plenty of time to readjust before my next semester—sharing a room with a missionary companion for two years ought to do that for me.
I have my own room this semester—and it's SO nice!
I no longer have any need for a lamp, because I turn off the lights when I go to bed, and nobody ever wants them off before I do.
I no longer need headphones, because everybody in my room likes the music that I play when I play it.
I have floor space—more than just enough to walk on! I can come in, take off my shoes, and leave them in the middle of the room. Then I can hang my coat on my extra chair to dry.
I have two closets—aka "a ridiculous amount of storage space"—and I've made sure to put something in every single one of the drawers, simply because I can.
I'm getting so spoiled from all of this! Realistically, this is probably the last (it's also the first, coincidentally) time in my life that I'll have my own room. I should have plenty of time to readjust before my next semester—sharing a room with a missionary companion for two years ought to do that for me.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Rub It In
Posted by Braden
My first few days of work as an RA have been comically difficult.
Two nights ago, I was assigned to "rove" for the first time. The shift, which lasts from 8–12 p.m., requires you to go through the buildings, check to see if anything is broken, talk with the residents, lock all the doors, close the blinds, turn off the lights, etc. Normally you just check your tri-hall and associate tri-hall, so a total of six halls. Because the semester hadn't technically started yet, there were fewer RAs working, and only two of us were available to rove through the 24 buildings. So a few more halls to check--that's not bad. But according to the Weather Channel Web site, which I checked before I left to rove, accounting for wind chill and humidity, it was going to fee like -8 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Fortunately, I was running up and down stairs a lot of the time, so keeping warm wasn't too hard, with the exception of my face. Hidden ice on the stairs was a pain, however.
Another part of my job is having the sidewalks around my building shoveled by 8 a.m. It has been snowing almost constantly the past two days--we've accumulated of about 8 inches of snow, and counting. I shoveled Monday morning . . . and Monday afternoon . . . and Monday night . . . and Tuesday morning . . . and I'll probably shovel again when the snow finally stops. *Sigh.* Weather aside, I do enjoy the job so far!
My first few days of work as an RA have been comically difficult.
Two nights ago, I was assigned to "rove" for the first time. The shift, which lasts from 8–12 p.m., requires you to go through the buildings, check to see if anything is broken, talk with the residents, lock all the doors, close the blinds, turn off the lights, etc. Normally you just check your tri-hall and associate tri-hall, so a total of six halls. Because the semester hadn't technically started yet, there were fewer RAs working, and only two of us were available to rove through the 24 buildings. So a few more halls to check--that's not bad. But according to the Weather Channel Web site, which I checked before I left to rove, accounting for wind chill and humidity, it was going to fee like -8 degrees Fahrenheit outside. Fortunately, I was running up and down stairs a lot of the time, so keeping warm wasn't too hard, with the exception of my face. Hidden ice on the stairs was a pain, however.
Another part of my job is having the sidewalks around my building shoveled by 8 a.m. It has been snowing almost constantly the past two days--we've accumulated of about 8 inches of snow, and counting. I shoveled Monday morning . . . and Monday afternoon . . . and Monday night . . . and Tuesday morning . . . and I'll probably shovel again when the snow finally stops. *Sigh.* Weather aside, I do enjoy the job so far!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Too Good to Be True
Posted by Laura
It was hard to wake up this morning after having the luxury of sleeping in over the holiday break. This semester all of my days start at 8 or 9 a.m., which is a bit different for me (last semester every day began at 10 a.m.). Yet, though I am not a morning person, I was able to wake up with time to spare. As I reached my first class, statistics, I noticed that something wasn't right. Every single person in the room was a girl! I hadn't started learning statistics yet, but statistically, that shouldn't happen in a math class. It turned out I forgot a zero in the room number and mistakenly entered a marriage, home, and family class. It's amazing the difference one number can make. :) Despite the confusion, I was still able to make it to the packed statistics classroom on time.
After I made it out of statistics, I had Dance 280, Church history, chemistry, and Book of Mormon. I was really looking forward to my last class, Book of Mormon, because I'd heard from multiple people that the teacher was really good. When I walked in, I was shocked. I thought that somehow, being in a very girl-dominated major, my luck had changed. I walked into a class that was 99 percent male. At that point, I thought it was definitely going to be my favorite class of the semester. But then my luck crumbled underneath me when the teacher said, "How many of you in here didn't realized that this section was an RM section?" I sheepishly raised my hand and realized that it was too good to be true. After switching class sections multiple times, waiting for an opening in the section with this teacher who I'd heard was so good, I signed up for an RM section. Luckily, the teacher was nice about it and offered to let me stay in the class, but after singing "The Spirit of God" with a class full of boys and being the only high voice, I decided to transfer.
Still, I am so excited for this new semester! I sincerely loved my classes today and can't wait to learn in them.
It was hard to wake up this morning after having the luxury of sleeping in over the holiday break. This semester all of my days start at 8 or 9 a.m., which is a bit different for me (last semester every day began at 10 a.m.). Yet, though I am not a morning person, I was able to wake up with time to spare. As I reached my first class, statistics, I noticed that something wasn't right. Every single person in the room was a girl! I hadn't started learning statistics yet, but statistically, that shouldn't happen in a math class. It turned out I forgot a zero in the room number and mistakenly entered a marriage, home, and family class. It's amazing the difference one number can make. :) Despite the confusion, I was still able to make it to the packed statistics classroom on time.
After I made it out of statistics, I had Dance 280, Church history, chemistry, and Book of Mormon. I was really looking forward to my last class, Book of Mormon, because I'd heard from multiple people that the teacher was really good. When I walked in, I was shocked. I thought that somehow, being in a very girl-dominated major, my luck had changed. I walked into a class that was 99 percent male. At that point, I thought it was definitely going to be my favorite class of the semester. But then my luck crumbled underneath me when the teacher said, "How many of you in here didn't realized that this section was an RM section?" I sheepishly raised my hand and realized that it was too good to be true. After switching class sections multiple times, waiting for an opening in the section with this teacher who I'd heard was so good, I signed up for an RM section. Luckily, the teacher was nice about it and offered to let me stay in the class, but after singing "The Spirit of God" with a class full of boys and being the only high voice, I decided to transfer.
Still, I am so excited for this new semester! I sincerely loved my classes today and can't wait to learn in them.
Moving In Again
Posted by Braden
At the end of last semester, I packed up all of my stuff into suitcases and boxes again, and moved it down two floors into the kitchen of my new apartment. When I arrived at my apartment Thursday night, the unpacking process began . . . again . . . in a way awfully similar to the way first semester began.
It gave me a chance to reorganize my things, so that was nice. Little things that had bugged me all semester last year, but never enough for me to do something about it, were finally fixed. For example, "why do I keep my cans in the eye-level cupboard when I could be sticking my bananas and breads here and stick the cans in the cupboard under the counter? It'd make more sense to keep the heavy stuff lower, and now I won't need to leave my bananas on the counter." So I changed it. Looking at my closet now, I can see which clothes I didn't wear once last semester, and stuff them in an obscure cubby hole instead of having them take up the high-premium space in the main part of the closet. My wastebasket, instead of being placed by the door where I'd need to throw trash at it (only successfully so about half of the time), is now under my bed, within arm's reach of my computer desk chair, where I spend most of my time when I'm in my room. It's nice having a second try with all of these trivial things!
One thing that has changed--I was the second boy to show up at my apartment last semester, so I grabbed a very conveniently placed bathroom cupboard, and my favorite fridge nooks, and that little cupboard in the kitchen. Moving to my new room this semester, I was the last boy to move in, since I'm the only new roommate, so I grabbed whatever space the last guy had! Sadly, he didn't use my favorite fridge nook or particularly favorite bathroom cupboard. It's not a terrible thing, but I keep on opening the wrong doors in the apartment and being somewhat confused for a brief moment each time before remembering that even though this is the same layout as my last apartment, it's a different apartment!
Along with that have come other changes. These guys have dinner together most nights of the week. They do "community milk," and they use the dishwasher most of the time instead of hand washing the dishes they used and putting them back. I'll be curious to see what "apartment policies" I'm going to have to adapt to, because whatever they're already doing, the four other boys are already used to and most likely prefer! On the plus side, instead of hard rock heavy on the bass coming from the next room, I think I hear MoTab right now. :D
At the end of last semester, I packed up all of my stuff into suitcases and boxes again, and moved it down two floors into the kitchen of my new apartment. When I arrived at my apartment Thursday night, the unpacking process began . . . again . . . in a way awfully similar to the way first semester began.
It gave me a chance to reorganize my things, so that was nice. Little things that had bugged me all semester last year, but never enough for me to do something about it, were finally fixed. For example, "why do I keep my cans in the eye-level cupboard when I could be sticking my bananas and breads here and stick the cans in the cupboard under the counter? It'd make more sense to keep the heavy stuff lower, and now I won't need to leave my bananas on the counter." So I changed it. Looking at my closet now, I can see which clothes I didn't wear once last semester, and stuff them in an obscure cubby hole instead of having them take up the high-premium space in the main part of the closet. My wastebasket, instead of being placed by the door where I'd need to throw trash at it (only successfully so about half of the time), is now under my bed, within arm's reach of my computer desk chair, where I spend most of my time when I'm in my room. It's nice having a second try with all of these trivial things!
One thing that has changed--I was the second boy to show up at my apartment last semester, so I grabbed a very conveniently placed bathroom cupboard, and my favorite fridge nooks, and that little cupboard in the kitchen. Moving to my new room this semester, I was the last boy to move in, since I'm the only new roommate, so I grabbed whatever space the last guy had! Sadly, he didn't use my favorite fridge nook or particularly favorite bathroom cupboard. It's not a terrible thing, but I keep on opening the wrong doors in the apartment and being somewhat confused for a brief moment each time before remembering that even though this is the same layout as my last apartment, it's a different apartment!
Along with that have come other changes. These guys have dinner together most nights of the week. They do "community milk," and they use the dishwasher most of the time instead of hand washing the dishes they used and putting them back. I'll be curious to see what "apartment policies" I'm going to have to adapt to, because whatever they're already doing, the four other boys are already used to and most likely prefer! On the plus side, instead of hard rock heavy on the bass coming from the next room, I think I hear MoTab right now. :D
Saturday, January 2, 2010
That Book Is How Much?!
Posted by Laura
Life is expensive. I have really learned the importance of budgeting my money while living away from home. The money that goes toward tuition, rent, books, food, and living expenses really adds up fast. When I was buying my books for the new semester, I figured out that I spent more than 25 hours working over the summer to purchase the books I need for just one of my nine classes. My lifetime of savings is being used a lot faster than the time it took to save it, yet I can also see that it's being invested in a priceless education. This makes me want to work even harder to not miss out on learning opportunities.
Life is expensive. I have really learned the importance of budgeting my money while living away from home. The money that goes toward tuition, rent, books, food, and living expenses really adds up fast. When I was buying my books for the new semester, I figured out that I spent more than 25 hours working over the summer to purchase the books I need for just one of my nine classes. My lifetime of savings is being used a lot faster than the time it took to save it, yet I can also see that it's being invested in a priceless education. This makes me want to work even harder to not miss out on learning opportunities.
Different the Second Time
Posted by Braden
For the first semester, I showed up almost two weeks before the first day of class. And I needed that time! By the time I'd moved in, bought books, found the buildings my classes were in, met my roommates, attended half of the New Student Orientation activities, and gotten all situated, it was just about time for school to start. I distinctly remember thinking at that time, "I am SO glad I have my sister here to help me figure out what in the world I'm doing and that I didn't show up two days before the semester started or something crazy like that!"
Getting ready for second semester took about a day. I returned to my dorm, grabbed my books today, and that's really all I have to do. I know where my classes are going to be just by looking at the room numbers. I have an add/drop card ready that I grabbed from last semester. I know how to use my meal plan and my Signature Card, and I have a system for my groceries already. When I want to go do something, I have dozens of people that I can look up, call, or even walk into their apartment without knocking because I know them well enough. I already have a calling in my ward, and I know when church and ward prayer are. We've got plans for FHE this Monday. And I'm not nervous in the least for the first day of classes, the first round of exams, or just about anything else this semester. College is so much more fun when you know what you're doing!
For the first semester, I showed up almost two weeks before the first day of class. And I needed that time! By the time I'd moved in, bought books, found the buildings my classes were in, met my roommates, attended half of the New Student Orientation activities, and gotten all situated, it was just about time for school to start. I distinctly remember thinking at that time, "I am SO glad I have my sister here to help me figure out what in the world I'm doing and that I didn't show up two days before the semester started or something crazy like that!"
Getting ready for second semester took about a day. I returned to my dorm, grabbed my books today, and that's really all I have to do. I know where my classes are going to be just by looking at the room numbers. I have an add/drop card ready that I grabbed from last semester. I know how to use my meal plan and my Signature Card, and I have a system for my groceries already. When I want to go do something, I have dozens of people that I can look up, call, or even walk into their apartment without knocking because I know them well enough. I already have a calling in my ward, and I know when church and ward prayer are. We've got plans for FHE this Monday. And I'm not nervous in the least for the first day of classes, the first round of exams, or just about anything else this semester. College is so much more fun when you know what you're doing!
Braden v. Bookstore: Round 2
Posted by Braden
Today I experienced my second round of buying textbooks--and this time, I won. Last semester I spent over $600; this semester my grand total is . . . *drumroll* . . . $120!
I did buy one book online this semester, so instead of paying $140, I paid $55. When I return it at the end of the semester for 50 percent less than the Bookstore price, I'll be making $15, which means my grand total for this semester is ACTUALLY going to be something closer to $60!
I also used the BYU Book Exchange Web site to buy two books for my history of creativity class, paying a grand total of $45 instead of $119 (if I'd bought them new) or $89 (if I'd bought them used). But besides that, I just lucked out! Instead of having to buy $100–$200 biology, physics, and chem books, I bought a $15 mission prep book and a $15 engineering-graphics manual, and my student leadership and volleyball classes don't have any textbook requirements!
The money that I got from last semester's textbook sellback could pay for all of my textbooks for this semester multiple times over! What do you have to say that, you heinously overpriced textbooks? Go ahead, say it: this semester, Braden won.
Today I experienced my second round of buying textbooks--and this time, I won. Last semester I spent over $600; this semester my grand total is . . . *drumroll* . . . $120!
I did buy one book online this semester, so instead of paying $140, I paid $55. When I return it at the end of the semester for 50 percent less than the Bookstore price, I'll be making $15, which means my grand total for this semester is ACTUALLY going to be something closer to $60!
I also used the BYU Book Exchange Web site to buy two books for my history of creativity class, paying a grand total of $45 instead of $119 (if I'd bought them new) or $89 (if I'd bought them used). But besides that, I just lucked out! Instead of having to buy $100–$200 biology, physics, and chem books, I bought a $15 mission prep book and a $15 engineering-graphics manual, and my student leadership and volleyball classes don't have any textbook requirements!
The money that I got from last semester's textbook sellback could pay for all of my textbooks for this semester multiple times over! What do you have to say that, you heinously overpriced textbooks? Go ahead, say it: this semester, Braden won.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Resolutions
Posted by Laura
It’s a new year, a new semester, and a fresh start, and I am so excited! Having a clean slate gives people hope that they can improve something to make this year even better than last year.
Many things changed in 2008. I went from high school senior to high school graduate; from being classified as a member of the Relief Society to moving out; from starting my first day of college to to finishing my first semester. That was a lot of growing up in a very concentrated amount of time.
Yet looking back, I have loved every minute of it. Last year was full of moments when I was scared to death about what the future and moments when I was floating on cloud nine and thinking life just couldn’t get any better. I don’t know what 2009 will have in store for me, but reflecting on the time that has passed reminds me that life is good. If I follow my New Year’s resolutions, I will become a better student, friend, roommate, and person, which will make life even better.
Note: As with most other posts on the First Year blog, this post was written a year ago, hence the references to 2008 and 2009.
It’s a new year, a new semester, and a fresh start, and I am so excited! Having a clean slate gives people hope that they can improve something to make this year even better than last year.
Many things changed in 2008. I went from high school senior to high school graduate; from being classified as a member of the Relief Society to moving out; from starting my first day of college to to finishing my first semester. That was a lot of growing up in a very concentrated amount of time.
Yet looking back, I have loved every minute of it. Last year was full of moments when I was scared to death about what the future and moments when I was floating on cloud nine and thinking life just couldn’t get any better. I don’t know what 2009 will have in store for me, but reflecting on the time that has passed reminds me that life is good. If I follow my New Year’s resolutions, I will become a better student, friend, roommate, and person, which will make life even better.
Note: As with most other posts on the First Year blog, this post was written a year ago, hence the references to 2008 and 2009.
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