A particle in a Hadron collider - jinx_58's university journey journal

I was supposed to post this Sunday night haha but the website spazzed out so here it is:

It has been quite a while since I last updated y'all because this sem has been WILD. It was the last week of classes last week so next week exam block begins.

A lil summary:
For my general engineering subject: We built a protype bridge that lifts up and we did so awesome that we got 7/7!! It was so cool and honestly such an awesome experience. We also had a report so that was handed in and our group of 4 did really really well. Done with this subject and no assessment left!

For physics: Hahaha lol. I may be lowkey losing it over this subject ngl. Its deffos an extension of QCAA physics but gosh its kinda challenging to wrap your head around ngl. And then there's fluids n pressure. The exam for this is next Saturday so with me luck peeps. Our assessment consisted of these 'assignments' which we were given a week to do which is a set of question that we can do open-book. Then we had two practicals and we had to fill out the provided worksheet. The exam is weighted 50% so I hope I do well enough to pass haha.

For math: Eveyrthing's been pre chill and the sample exam doesn't seem too hard so the final exam shouldn't be either? I feel like they're gunna throw a curveball at us just outta nowhere lol. Its basically methods and a bit of specialist from last year so the content itself isn't too bad; its just remembering the content and applying it to problems.

For coding subejct: I'm finally done with this subject, and it was terrible. I'm not sure if I'm terrible at coding or if I'm jus terrible at learning it lol.

Welp asides from that, I have a list of skills to pick up lol:
How to CAD
How to get better at Python code and if it is possible, probably pick up C as well.
Managing time better
Need to catch up with a few mates

Thas all from me, until after those exams!

Best of luck to everyone,
-jinx_58

Howdyyyyyy I'm back and feeling much more mentally refreshed haha.

So exams are over, and I think went okay.

Weirdly enough, year 12 really gave me that "Live n let go" attitude about exams because I can't change what I wrote lol/

Math wasn't as bad as I thought it was gunna be, it was a lot like the practice exam they gave us so that was very sweet.
Physics was a solid meh, I'm just looking to pass so we vibed haha. Saturday exams are not a W btw.

Overall, I just have some life things to do over the next month, so I might see yall then!

I've decided to major in Computer and software systems but I'm not sure if I'm gunna stay in it so I chose a civil subject, 2 software subjects and the reg math subject everyone does.

-jinx_58

Lol I'm not the best at time management so here I am 1 week after sem 2 began lol.

So, I was kinda confused on what major to pick and what I did was I picked 3 "computer and software" subjects and 1 civil subject. I sat in my first civil subject class and it hit me like a truck that I don't ever wanna do civil, because I just can't see me doing that in 5 years (no hate on civil). Hence, I've decided to go with the full software set and so far, its chill (because its week 1 lol).

Here are the subjects/units I'm doing this sem and what I need to do to prepare for the classes I have:
Units
MZB127 - Engineering mathematics and statistics
Description: Title is self-explanatory, just some more calculus and statistics

• Need to watch weekly pre-recorded videos and fill the given worksheet
• Attempt the tutorial questions
• Write down any questions I may have and contact someone regarding it asap

CAB201 - Programming Principles
Description: Learning Object-Oriented Programming in C#

• Watch pre-recorded videos before going to lecture and follow along on Visual Studio Code 2022
• Attempt tutorial questions/exercises (if I have time)
• Write down any questions I may have and contact someone regarding it asap

EGB120 - Foundations of Electrical Engineering
Description: Title is again self-explanatory, DC circuitry and expanding on that cool stuff

• Fortnightly online quizzes
• Pre-recorded videos each week
• Fortnightly practical, so need to prepare for each one
• Look over tutorial PowerPoints

IFB240 - Cyber Security
Description: Learning how cyber security is vital for everyone and the lack thereof can really screw up life for individuals and groups

• Weekly recorded lecture videos
• No physical lecture
• Tutorial

If anyone is interested in doing software engineering, or engineering at qut, just shoot me a message if you have any questions

Holiday goals:

On the sem holiday, I jotted down a buncha things I wanted to get done. I can now say, I did catch up with a few mates, learnt how to CAD, and picked up C# via codecademy. I didn't improve on Python however, C# is not too difficult (yet). I have one more lesson till I complete the full codecademy course but other than that, its pretty chill. I think I learnt how to manage my time better using a notion/google calendar system lol.

Oh yeah, one more thing, GPA wise, I'm sitting on a 6.75 so I'm pre happy with that.

Just a life snippet, google photos loves to remind you what you were doing this time last year so I found photos I forgotten I'd taken last year and I'm lowkey proud of myself for making it through. So to all you year 12s, good luck, even when the going gets tough. You'll be right, you'll make it through, and you'll look back on it as a memory.

Also, I need advice, does anyone know where I should start looking for internships? Specifically like first-year software engineer ones, because I asked around and companies look for experience, not really at your grades. So if I could get some experience under my belt, that'd be pretty awesome so I can understand how what I learn relates to what I actually do in the field.

If you made it this far, thanks dude!

• jinx_58

TLDR: I'm doing software engineering at qut

Billzene
I have no clue if our uni has a career portal lol, I probably should check that out haha

Thank you

Howdy all, and surprise, another irregular update haha.

I hope everyone's doing well and vibin to whatever song that's playing in your head rn.

This one's gunna get a tad emotional, jus a heads up, because uni really challenges you and I think its important I make this journal entry because 1) I can look back on it and 2) People can learn from my experience and understand its okay to feel that way.

I've just realised that I deeply lack hands-on skills. And a lotta engineering is hands on. Its great (sarcasm). I feel so stupid compared to everyone else, and physics wasn't something I was always good at, but thoroughly enjoyed. I'm not considering dropping engineering, never. I just wish I was smarter because most my peers know what they're doing. They understand the practicality of a situation, hence the physics.

Ngl, its like a small reminder in my head everyday that I'm not good enough, I don't deserve to do engineering and I don't belong here.

I just wish I'd learnt half these skills like breadboarding, soldering etc etc beforehand. I wish I was given the opportunities to do so. I wish I'd decided, "yo lets explore all these electrical things because I've always wanted to open up a computer," but I wasn't exactly allowed. I wanted to learn what are the components and how everything links up. I remember opening up pens and being abolstuely thrilled figuring out how it worked. This stuff always fascinated me, but because I didn't know what to do or where to start and from year 10 and onwards lost the time, I'm pre stuck rn.

I've been given a few tips by others (feel free to shoot any my way) and I hope that I'll be able to pick up these skills at one point.

Wish me luck,
-jinx_58

AngelWings

Thank you so much, I really needed to hear this.

I really appreciate it

-jinx_58

20/09/2023
So random update (again)

Since year 10, I've wanted to do mechatronics engineering. When I presented the idea to my parents, they weren't thrilled. Also job opportunities weren't exactly looking the best. That's why I ended up choosing computer and software systems instead.

I thought, "y'know what, maybe I can do Comp Soft as my primary major and mechatronics as my secondary major,"

I went to the faculty of Engineering today, and found out, no, I cannot do that. However, if I had chosen mechatronics as my main and comp soft as my second, I could've done that.

So here I am, pre annoyed and pre disappointed. Yeah the units aren't too different but it just mega sucks.

I don't mind continuing with Comp Soft but I know for the next few years I will always wish that I did mechatronics instead. It sucks, it really does and its just unfair. But life do be like that sometimes and you move on.

My plan now is to continue with the Comp Soft major and maybe minor in something mechatronics/electrical related. As we can choose 2 minors, my second minor could either be engineering related or history related.

We'll jus have to wait and see.

Peace out,
-jinx_58

18/10/2023
(Damn I'm bad at updating)

Whaddup AN, been a while.

So idk what to write here but I have a very long list of things to get done on the holidays and my assessment:
Electrical Phys:
Quiz due this Sunday
Assessed Prac Friday
60% Hurdle Exam 9/11/23

Programming:
This pre big 50% OOP (Object Oriented Programming) assignment due 27th Oct
40% Exam 7/11/23

Maths:
20% Assignment due this Friday
Exam 4/11/23

Cyber security (honestly gives me RAE vibes):
40%? Assignment this Friday
Exam 6/11/2023

That's about it folks, I'll update more on everything after Nov 9th

Cheers for stickin around like sticky-date pudding,
-jinx_58

Sup peeps.

I had my last exam for the year yesterday and tbh, this sem hasn't been the best.

Lowkey felt a bit of deja vu from year 11 lol.

First semester wasn't bad because it was jus recap from year 12, and the content was pretty straightforward.
Second semester however, I was so not prepared for. I honestly just hope I pass my programming and electrical physics unit. I guess the assessment got a lot more tough, I was not staying on top of my work and a lot less motivated to do anything ngl. I think I need to take the break to pull myself together and fix up whatever that needs fixing lol.

I'm praying right now that I don't fail any units or anything. Exam wise, Cyber Security was pretty chill and straightforward, our maths unit was also pretty nice. But our programming principles and electrical physics unit was a tad tough. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the content with a passion. But its a tad hard to wrap your head around it lol.

I just have a buncha books to read and other things to do these hols, so I probably catch y'all next year! So Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays, and Happy New year to everyone )

Until then gang,
-jinx_58

Okay, fun fact, I'm alive

This is a reminder me to update asap lollllll

Still doin engo at qut dw lol

-jinx_58

Howdy y'all.

Sorry I went totally MIA forra solid while haha.

Life is jus a tad hectic.

November + December

• Didn't do too much
• Worked quite a bit (gotta buy a car yknow)
• Caught up with mates
• Slept
• Tried to take care of myself
• FINALLY installed windows on my parent's old iMac (I CAN FINALLY PROJECT LESSS GOO)
• Read a few old files off an old laptop by using a SATA cable
• Turned 19

January

• Pre-studied for a unit that's notoriously a pain in the backside (didn't finish everything, but that's okay)
• Acquired a newfound obsession for CD's after finding my old Samsung CD player
• Went to the Lifeline bookfest and scored some BANGER CD's
• Caught up with more friends
• Switched from Part-time to Casual bc I was sick of the pay
• Applied for internships and more jobs

February

• Last-minute catching up with mates
• Found myself a cool of nice headphones
• Found myself a better calculator for uni things
• Figured out why I lowkey screwed up in Sem 2 Lmao

So Sem 2 last year, wasn't terrible but it could've been a tonne better if I didn't slack of. Thankfully, I didn't fail any units and I'm forever grateful for that lol.

This semester I'm doing:
EGB242 - Signal analysis
Analysing signals via Fourier transform and some other cool things. I don't fully understand things but I'm trying lol.

CAB202 - Microcontrollers and microprocessors
Assembly programming a microcontroller and also using C programming (pre cool tbh)

EGB240 - Electronic design
The whole unit is based on and around the assignment. Very, very practical and hands on subject. Enjoying it but lowkey scares me cos its a tad broad lol.

MZB221 - Electrical Engineering Mathematics
Math. But for electrical things. Fourier transform, integrating things, cool stuff, math.

Study habits wise, idk I've been reviewing things we've learnt but when I don't fully get it, I go to Gemini (old google bard) to explain to me lol.

I also found out I struggle to wake up earlier nowadays, hence I've decided to stay up late studying. Its not terrible, but its not amazing either.

Other than that, I've scored a job at QUT which is sick afff. Life is really just doin its regular thang so we getting by haha.

I hope this updated y'all, and as always, feel free to ask questions!!
-jinx_58

I'm somehow alive, and here forra a new sem lesss goooo.

Last sem went pretty alright, scored 5s all round.

I'm currently minoring in Robotics and Engineering Math bc I like math and I like robots

Idk what else to say, been applying for internships, and honestly just vibing

Tbh, I'll prolly only update after the sem bc BRO EVERYTHING'S INSANE LMAO

I hope everyone's chillin' and keep vibin' my homies,
-jinx_58

Okay I made it outta that semester alive lmao (how? good question, idk :') )

I decided to drop fown to 3 units this semester because that 4th unit was...just not something I could do/was interested in.

The units I took:
Intro to Robotics - LEGIT WAS SO COOL RAGHHH. Got to program a robotic arm to do cool things. The first group project required us to type out a word on a tablet. The second group project made us analyse a photo to pick up particular blocks based on colour and shape. No exam, so there was a small assignment task due every week but we got there eventually. Ngl, favourite unit so far, took up so much brain juice though. Got a 6

Electronics - This subject was a pain because I didn't understand things to begin with, until like 2-3 weeks before the exam. The assignments were good revision though, and the knowledge from Electronic design (last sem unit) made sense bc I was finally learning the theory behind the practical things I did. Got a 5

Calc and Differential equations - Part of my math minor, took it as a relief subject tbh, I enjoyed it, was mostly relaxing. Exam wasn't too bad but I could've prolly done better. Got a 6

Overall, the semester wasn't too bad tbh. The problem was I didn't fully recover from first sem until week 5 of second sem, so that threw off quite a bit lol. I also realised my attention span has decreased and I procrastinated so much more because I didn't take care of my mental health (like I should've lol)

For 2025, there are some major life changes taking place and if I've learnt anything, its that its completely a-okay to take a little longer to get your degree done, if it means balancing out your life.

On another note, actually started watching Arcane and brain went brrrrr, very cool, love the animation.

Peace out, and enjoy the holidays,
-jinx_58