12-9-20

I just finished my last assignment for the Autumn semester, and I’m now excited to get a break from the constant grind of schoolwork. Although this semester went well in terms of meeting people, getting good grades, and staying motivated, it has made me question whether Computer Science (and engineering as a whole) is the right major for me. There were various times throughout the semester where I questioned this, most of which due to frustration with classes or lack of knowledge on something. Although I enjoyed taking STEM classes, I’m not sure if I want to spend my whole college career programming on my computer, struggling with math, or working with circuits and electronics. I did not really enjoy taking physics and math. Perhaps it is the fact that all classes are online, but I just didn’t really look forward to most of my classes, outside of my CSE class. It doesn’t help that engineering is notoriously known as the major with the largest workload.

I want to be in discussion-based classes that address issues we face, and allow me to share my views and experiences with others. In other words, all of my classes this semester were involving STEM and quantitative skills. I found this to be quite exhausting and boring sometimes, since it hardly seems that I can use what I am learning in these classes to make an impact. Of course these are just intro classes that I need to take to get into my major, but oftentimes I lacked motivation to work on some assignments. This turned into me getting distracted and not having the best study habits throughout the semester, which is something that needs addressed immediately. I cannot be successful with poor study habits.

Some other majors that I am exploring are Economics, Data Analytics, Geographic Information Systems, and FABE (Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering). I think that these fields combine quantitative skills with real-life application that addresses current issues. I have always loved geography, so GIS is especially intriguing. Even though most of these are STEM, they are very versatile in future job prospects.

Hopefully I can use this break to gain some mental clarity as to whether CSE and engineering is the right field for me. Over the break, I can work on crafting a resume, exploring different fields, creating projects, relaxing, and sleeping. I need to keep in mind that this is only my first semester, and just stick with my initial plans to see how things turn out.