Thanks!

I received enough aid to afford the tuition - I had to accept a student loan to cover part of it, but I hope to get on top of everything more quickly next year and apply for more scholarships and grants.

I am now fully enrolled and my schedule is mostly finished (still need to squeeze that all-important Calculus I in there). I settled for a major in Computer Engineering. I have the option to pursue a Master's and then a PhD in Electrical Engineering afterward... we'll see how I feel after the first four years :p

An arsonist has set at least four major fires out here, two of them very close to my town. We'll see if he fancies my house next.

I can see four fires from my front porch. I hope no officer comes waking us up in the middle of the night... well, unless the alternative is being burnt to a crisp, of course.

oh snap I feel so bad

Thank you. It's unreal... I actually see flames now. All I know it's that I hope I have a house tomorrow night.

Holy crap, get the hose eh!! Be safe man! D:

Wow, yea stay safe! I hope everything goes okay and the fires are all put out soon.

I'm hiding behind a wall of milk bags, eh. I think I'm safe :p

Just duck tape them bags to your body, eh. It's essentially the same thing.

But seriously man. Be careful.

Just so you know, I'm apparently still with you. I'm out of milk though.

Hope you stay safe.

Yeah, the smell of sour milk will go away in about 5 days. That sweet smell of safety.

are you........................








............dead?????????????

Like a forest fire?

Very alive. Forest fire? Partly, but I think it was mostly, well, burning fields and houses. One human death reported (last I heard).

And so it begins! I have just completed one week of university. I'll try to connect with the forum much more often now.

Three exams this coming week. Calculus, chemistry, computer science. I am not worried at all about CS, but I need to do done basic reviewing for calculus. Chemistry? I'm very nervous.

The Chemistry II classes had their first test yesterday. Their scores were based on the MDHP, "maximum doable human performance", which is the average score of the top two percent of the class. The average score on this adjusted scale was only 40%. Scary, right?

And those were the people who already knew enough about chemistry to waive the intensive course that I'm in. Most of them engineering students with fantastic GPAs.

...

I think I'll do some more practice problems...

Good luck man! :D

Thanks!

I passed the chem exam with an A. It wasn't a perfect score - I worked too slowly to finish all the problems. But, compared to the class average of 43, I'm feeling pretty good.

Whew! I don't have to sweat too much over chemistry anymore. I'll do what I've been doing, but with a little more dedication. I'll do fine if I do that.

Calculus, on the other hand... it's not too hard, but again, I'm too slow. I need to work on my speed. A lot.

I drew up a tentative schedule for my next semester - enrollment opens for me Monday at midnight.

Courses:

Engineering Design with CAD for MAE:
Introduction to engineering design using modern design methodologies and computer-aided tools appropriate for mechanical and aerospace engineering. Design, construction and testing through participation in a multidisciplinary team based design project contest.

I had no choice but to enroll in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) design class, since the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECEN) class is cancelled and the general class is full. I might be a little bored by the focus, but it teaches essentially the same skills.

Computer Science II:
Recursive algorithms. Intermediate methods of searching and sorting. Mathematical analysis of space and time complexity, worst case, and average case performance.

We're using Java in this course due to its current value as a platform-independent language, but the course is designed to be more general.

UNIX Programming:
The UNIX programming system. The programming environment. The UNIX file system and the shell. Use of pipes and filters.

A simple, one-hour course. Should be my easiest next semester.

Calculus II:
A continuation of Calculus I, including series and their applications, elementary geometry of three dimensions and introductory calculus of vector functions.

Here my current calculus course changes from a four-hour course to a three-hour course. Might be tricky.

General Physics:
Calculus-based introductory course for science, math and engineering majors. Mechanics, waves, heat, and thermodynamics.

I've heard horror stories about this one. I expect this to be my high-pressure course.

American Government:
Organization, processes and functions of the national government of the United States.

Required by the State Regents for me to qualify for any degree. The professor I have chosen has a fantastic reputation for making the class enjoyable and easy to pass.

Sorry! I've been out of school since Friday, but I've been feeling horrible since then. Splitting headache and all that. I'm not used to them lasting more than one day.

Well, it won't matter after today!

Wow! Fantastic link - thanks for posting it =D!

You're welcome! I was running out of time to share it :P

Ah! The world didn't end - mind is blown!

Yeah, I was thrilled - no apocalypse today! As soon as I talk to my psychologist about my sudden urge to bite someone's skull, all will be well :D