Back to School: Round 2, Week 4

On Monday, I had two tests to study for: one in Prints reading class and another in Install Methods class. By the afternoon I already had the marks for the Prints test posted on eLearn (Mohawk's online student acess website). I got a 92.5%! The Install test I know I passed, but not sure with what. I studied the chapters we were told about, and reviewed the labs for the class. The content wasn't quite what I thought it would be, and some of the questions seemed vague. We'll see what happens when the marks come in.

By Tuesday I decided being an adult and going back to school is a lot of work. By the time I did shopping, cooked dinner and got laundry going, it was already 7:00pm, and I hadn't even started my homework yet, or eat said dinner.

At some point since starting school, it's occurred to me how trusting a group of people all in the same situation can be. Even in the first week, people were leaving bags with new found friends to run off for a couple minutes. Just like we'd known each other for ages. It makes me wonder what will happen when school is over. When we're out of the bubble, and back in the real world. Do these new found friendships carry over? Or are they just a necessary coping mechanism to get through this stage of the game?

Wednesday was an easier day. All of the classes ended early. I spent my extra time catching up on the online quizzes (5 of them), plus continue working on a project I've deemed to be a 'sink or swim' activity. We just got plunked in the deepend, and see how we all fare. I'm sure after the assignment is completed, a class will be spent on how to actually complete the components of the project. I worked on it until my brain couldn't process information and numbers and code rules anymore.

On Friday, we had some type of assessment in every class. A test in Code, a quiz in Theory, and the aforementioned 'sink or swim' project where we complete the installation portion. No one was done early for that project. You could tell everyone was taking extra care with their work. My work was received with rave reviews. The teacher was impressed and commented that it shows that I take pride in my work. "I've had good teachers, and worked with good journeymen," I replied. "No, no," he'd said. "You can have all the good teachers in the world, and it means nothing if the student isn't willing to put in the work. You're an asset to your company." I'll admit, that felt really good to hear.

We're at the point now where there will be quizzes and assignments every week now, till the end. Already 4 weeks in, 6 more to go, almost at the halfway point. I feel now that my brain has finished the transition to being back into school. Wonder how long it will take me to switch back into work mode.

Comments

The "Social Impacts" of a Female Working with "Mostly Male Construction Workers"

The first time I'd heard anything about comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on Newstalk 1010' s The Night Side with Barb DiGiulio . For reference, here is a section of the comments from Mr. Trudeau at the recent G20 summit as posted in an article from the National Post : " Even big infrastructure projects, you know, might now say, well, what does a gender lens have to do with building this new highway or this new pipeline or something? Well, you know, there are gender impacts when you bring construction workers into a rural area. There are social impacts because they’re mostly male construction workers. How are you adjusting and adapting to those?" A lot of people are focusing specifically on the "social impacts... ...of mostly male construction workers" part in a negative light. I'd agree, it certainly doesn't sound good, does it? The resulting public interpretation of what that comment meant spinned the narrative to that of t

The Weasley Family Clock Project

I came across this project stumbling around the internet for interesting things, as I tend to do from time to time. I thought it was a great example of a practical use for some of the electronics stuff I have been learning in school. It also serves to feed my Harry Potter hunger. (Long live Dumbledore's Army!) I might not be at this stage of the game yet, but it would certainly be cool to work towards. It makes use of LED's, and a micro-controller connected via wi-fi. It connects to each family member's smartphones via an app (If This, Then That) to geo-locate the family member and communicate that location to the clock. This lights up the corresponding family member with their pre-set locations. That app has many more uses. It can be used to connect to your HUB wi-fi connected light bulbs; NEST home thermostat; Belkin's WeMo, a plug adapter that you plug your corded device (like a coffee maker, or your Christmas lights). The WeMo is a wifi enabled device tha

Three Seconds

He's going to hit me. If I try to maneuver maybe- Bang! One One-Thousand. The sound of a scream came from somewhere. I realized it was me. I shrink in my seat, recoiling from the impact. The side airbag deployed, grazing the left of my face and shoulder. I barely registered it. Somehow my right hand wasn't on the steering wheel. "I need two hands, two hands on the steering wheel. Steer!" Things were freewheeling now. I'm not in control. What's next? Two One-Thousand. Look left, the airbag was there. Look forward, but my focus was blurred. I could only see on what was happening inside the car. "Pump the brake, pump the brake, pump the brake!" I hit the curb that bounced me up and over the island. Three One-Thousand. "Pump the brake!" I came off the island into the right turn lane, no one was there. The car stopped. I braced for another possible hit. Nothing. I waz vibrating at a higher frequency. Trembling. I

The Sparks Lady

Search This Blog