Wow, this week has been another roller coaster ride! It passed so fast, yet i cannot wait for the semester to end. Time flies, but it also crawls at a snail’s pace.
Enjoy this week’s recaps!
Again, there are no affiliated links.
The Future…?
Seven years ago, if you asked me what I wanted to be in the future, I’d have said “doctor”.
Six years ago, I’d have said “engineer”.
Five years ago, “businessman”.
Since then and up to two weeks ago, I’d have said “computer science or engineering”. But that was two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I thought I had my future – the next two or three years, at least – planned out. Two weeks ago, I thought I would be transferring as a junior in the fall of 2021 to some nice southern California university. Two weeks ago, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to study.
And then everything fell apart.
During the summer, I’d already begun having second thoughts about my major. I wasn’t enjoying my computer science class at all, and I dreaded every lecture and homework assignment. With that in mind, when the fall semester began two weeks ago, I jumped at the chance to switch out my computer science class for a theater course. This effectively rendered me unable to transfer to certain universities as a computer science major (assuming I kept to my timeline rather than delayed a year), and has occasionally caused me a few regrets since then.
Thus, I started researching alternative majors, including computer science with a focus on game design. However, after looking through the major requirements and course list, I began to wonder what the point of going to university was, especially when I could study all the aforementioned major requirements on my own. As a result, I suddenly lost almost all focus and motivation for taking classes this semester.
Currently, I’m doing my best to make it through the fall, telling myself I need to at least earn an AA or AS degree before “dropping out” of college, should I choose to do so. However, since I’m known for making impulsive decisions, I’m going to let that one sit till the end of the semester. I am already happily charting out ideas for my “gap year” (“dropout year”), though, just in case . . .
EXTRA NOTE: Looking back on the summer (I’m now two months wiser), I think it was the method of instruction I disliked, not computer science itself.
25 + 25 + 25 = You
Can you list 25 positive, 25 negative, and 25 neutral adjectives describing yourself? Responsible, creative, emotional, impulsive…
For one of my theater classes this week, my professor had each of us students complete this exercise. (No, I’m not going to share my list with you.) Coming up with the first ten or so attributes was easy, but I really had to stretch my mind – and my definitions of certain words – to finish the rest.
CHALLENGE: Go do it!
EXTRA NOTE: Oh, I haven’t started the 25 neutrals list yet. Oops.
Too Much Twitter Might Be Helpful (aka Web Development Articles)
Let me confess something – I’ve been scrolling a lot on Twitter these days. However, due to the fact that nearly everything I follow (besides personal accounts, obviously) is related to web development, I haven’t really been “wasting” time. In fact, I’ve found a few awesome articles and resources!
The 9 Best Coding Games Online for Adults to Learn How to Code
How to Hack Together Your Own CS Degree Online for Free
The Best Application Security Tools in 2020
What is TLS? Transport Layer Security Encryption Explained in Plain English
EXTRA NOTE: If you’re observant, you may have noticed that all of these links lead to freecodecamp.org. They have awesome, free resources for both beginner and intermediate developers.
CHALLENGE: Can you find me on Twitter?
Routinery
As you may know, I love checking out new apps and tools. A few days ago, I came across Routinery, an app I’ve used before but haven’t touched recently. This time, however, I think I’m going to stick with it for a while.
Routinery’s free plan allows users to make two routines. For me, I chose to create a morning routine and an evening routine. Routinery lets you set a time for each element of your routine (e.g. change, shower, read, journal, etc.), and works like a routine clock as you go through the routine. You can also add custom routine elements. It’s awesome!
Summary
My Week in Ten Words: Why am I doing what I am doing? Why? Why?
Question of the Week: Why does our society place such a high emphasis on going to college and getting a degree?
September 6 – September 11, 2020
