Another quarter coming to an end means hard days, long nights, and lots of stress. I took four classes this quarter (17 credits) and finished one last week and another yesterday. However, I considered the classes that I am already done with the easy ones or at least the ones I was not worried about. I now have math and geomechanics to prepare for!! AHHH! They are by far the most difficult classes for me this quarter if not over my entire college career. My math final is on Saturday and for Geomechanics I have a group lab and professional consulting report due monday as well as a final on Wednesday.
This post does not really have much of a point or meaning--it is just shows all of the joys* I am embarking on within the next seven days.
I saw this photo online today and it has provided me with a little bit of motivation. I really like the meaning behind it but for me getting motivated to do calculus is harder than running a marathon (although afterwords it might be more of an accomplishment because of how difficult it has been).
On another note it is very relevant to my geomechanics class: first of all it is a geology course and second of all we recently have been focused on fluid mechanics.
Time to Do Work
*I really hope everyone caught the sarcasm in there
I am slowly coming up upon graduation and I figured that this is a good time to reflect on my academic college experience.
The first classes that I took were those that sounded interesting, fun, and counted towards the general education requirements. Entering college I thought I might want to be an economics major but after taking my first economics class I ran the other direction realizing it was not the right path for me. After that I did not have a path that I was set on and just experimenting on what the different colleges had to offer.
In winter 2010 I was sitting in my Space and Space Travel class (one of the interesting/fun classes) and in the last ten minuets someone came in to speak about an exploration seminar to Australia. The main thing that I took away was very basic and the superficial level of what was offered which was the fact that it was a trip to Australia. With this I decided to apply and see what happened. After applying I got an interview with Robert Winglee, the dean of the department and also one of the trip instructors. After the interview he told me that I was welcome to be a part of the exploration seminar and on top of that I was offered some departmental funding if I were do declare my major as ESS. I saw no downside to this, Robert even said that I could change my major after the trip if I found something else that I was interested in. I committed to the trip, declared my major as ESS, and was ready to go on a walkabout in the outback!
That summer I participated in the exploration seminar to Australia. It was an unbelievable experience and I gained much more than I could have imagined. It turned out to be more than just a fun trip to Australia but an experience that has shaped my future in a way and sparked my interest in international travel. I have always wanted to see the world but this really made it seem possible and shined a light to how amazing future travels could be.
I enjoyed the trip and everything that we were learning about the geology, wildlife, flora and fauna that was extremely unique to the region. I enjoyed it so much that I decided I would keep ESS as my major and have continued on that path. This was not something that I could have ever planned or expected but it ended up being a great result from an amazing trip that was not only a great learning experience but also inspiring.
Throughout the next few academic years I have been able to take some really challenging, interesting, fun, and inspiring classes in the ESS department.
ESS 472 Rockets and Instrumentation
This is a video of the two-stage rocket that my group worked on. It was the first successful two-stage rocket launch at UW! It reached an apogee of 7,987 feet.
Group Photo After A Successful Week In Black Rock Nevada
ESS 101- Intro to Geology
There were some optional field trips to the ape caves and mount saint Hellens.
ESS 205 Access to Space
I have been able to appreciate the classes that I have taken and the places that they have taken me but until now have not appreciated the departments excellence, the professional atmosphere, and the challenges to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world.
I have included the mission statement of the Earth and Space Science department that now means more to me because I understand the goals of the department, faculty, and students as a whole and not just an individual going through the motions of college.
The mission of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences is to further the understanding of Earth, the solar system, and their histories.
The Department's scope extends from the center of Earth to the rim of the solar system, and its activities cut across traditional disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and mathematics. Our faculty, students, and staff examine Earth's interior structure, chemistry, motion, and dynamics; geologic hazards; processes affecting the surface environment; the surrounding space environment; planetary processes; and geobiology.
We provide a foundation for interdisciplinary teaching and research that is based on the geologic record, and on rigorous observation and modeling of Earth's present state. Our research aims to provide a basis for making accurate predictions of future conditions.
Through these activities, we contribute to the education of undergraduate and graduate students seeking careers in science and technology, provide broad educational opportunities about Earth, environmental and space sciences, and conduct outreach on related issues of societal concern.
Reflecting upon my college career I am so thrilled to have initially come to UW, found a major that I enjoy and challenges me, and be able to appreciate the great opportunities that I have had and that are to come upon achieving my bachelors degree in Earth and Space Science from the University of Washington.
