A New Year’s Resolution

I’ve finished the penultimate round of final exams and projects of my undergraduate degree. My college experience has been defined by my struggles — far too many major world events, personal and familial losses, and mental health — but I have learned much about engineering, and even more about myself.

I am by no means a perfect student, as despite my curiosity for the world and my hunger to understand, historically I’ve gotten lost in the complexities of the subjects of my studies. This past semester, I made it through a class that I struggled immensely in. After attempting the class in the spring of 2023, and stumbling at the finish line, I spent a summer looking to reboot while studying for night-time business classes and working at my internship.

This semester, the class was a struggle again. But, while I don’t feel that my grades indicated it, I spent almost every waking second trying to learn the ins-and-outs of the subject matter. I overcame test-anxiety and a diagnosis of ADHD and received an A on my final exam in the class! I’ve never felt more rewarded for my work.

I start with this story because I want to have it written that I am capable of great things, and I will continue to do those great things. This upcoming spring, I am looking towards my graduation and the things I can learn in my high-level elective coursework. A reduced workload points towards more time for me to explore the complexities of the coursework I’m studying, and to learn more about material I haven’t yet covered.

There are a few things I’d like to explore outside of my coursework, and a few things I need to focus on in the New Year:

• Learn the CircuitPython subpackage, and work to code my Adafruit MacroPad.

• Flesh out my Github, and upload my work that I’ve completed across my undergraduate degree.

• Be consistent in writing here, and working to further my creative side.

• Learn to celebrate the small victories.

• Graduate! (and attain meaningful employment!)

These are just a few of my resolutions, and hopefully, I’ll be back next week with some more.

Broden.