I cannot believe I got through this past semester with my sanity intact!! This past summer, I found myself really excited to start my sophomore year. My schedule was interesting, with my first real Chemical Engineering class, Thermodynamics, and a physics class based around Electricity and Magnetism. I also took an analytical chemistry class and advanced writing class. Most students do not take their advanced writing class until later, but I had extra units and I wanted to be done with writing as soon as possible, so I decided to torture myself!!
Other than academics, I was looking forward to another season in the marching band! I love being a part of the band. It is a nice break for me to get away from studying and classes and get out and enjoy playing fun songs with my friends. This past semester, I got to travel to Arizona State and Notre Dame to play at the football games. I also played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. This past semester in the band was really fun. I am really looking forward to next year too, especially because I was voted to be one of the 2 section leaders for the trombone section. It will be nice to take a leadership position!!
Arizona State Trip
Notre Dame Stadium
Celebrating the 50-0 victory over UCLA!
One of the other great things about this past semester is that I started working in a new laboratory on campus. I am involved in a new research project on campus examining the emission of pollutants from the combustion of biofuels at various pressures. I am so happy to be involved in a lab like this because it is very similar to what I am interested in doing for my career. I am learning so much from working in the lab and I enjoy the people I work with. I am so happy to be involved in an opportunity like this. I look forward to working more in the lab throughout the rest of my college career.
The last thing I became involved in this year was becoming a Viterbi Student Ambassador! I think that being an ambassador for the engineering school is one of the most rewarding things I could do. I wanted to be an ambassador very badly because I was inspired when I was in high school how the ambassadors were so friendly and informative about the university. All the resources they provided me helped influence me to want to come to USC. Therefore, I hope that I will be able to help high school students learn about all the great opportunities at USC and Viterbi.
Overall, I thought that this past semester went well. I wish I could have done better in a couple of my classes, but I know I did the best I could. I worked really hard and I am so glad that I have a group of friends who are also chemical engineers. I don’t think that I could have made it through this semester without my study group!! Finally, I am so happy that I have met such amazing people through my classes and different activities. I think next semester is going to be much better, as I will be more prepared to handle these more advanced classes and I will have a more manageable schedule.
As for right now, I am just relaxing at home with my family. I love doing different things getting ready for Christmas! I had to do all my Christmas shopping when I got home, but I tried to do it all before the stores became too hectic. I have also enjoyed hanging out with friends from high school. It is hard being away from my friends, as they are at colleges all over the country. It has also been nice spending time with my girlfriend. I really enjoy spending time with her; it is nice to get my mind off of school. I am trying to relax and re-energize as much as I can before next semester starts. I hope everyone enjoys their winter break and I hope you guys have a happy new year!
