This is a summary of my Fall 2024 semester at Columbia University. I will share my experience and thoughts about the courses I took, the events I attended, and the progress I made. I will also discuss my goals for the upcoming semester and reflect on what I learned this semester.
Courses
At the beginning of the semester, I planned to take the following courses:
- ELEN E3201: Circuit Analysis
- ELEN E3801: Signals and Systems
- CSEE W4868: System-On-Chip Platforms
- CSEE W4824: Computer Architecture
- EECS E4321: Digital VLSI Circuits
- JPNS G4007: Intro to Classical Japanese
While circuit analysis and signals were mandatory for my major, other courses were electives that I chose based on my interests. However, I underestimated the workload of these courses and my schedule soom became a misery. I had to drop the digital VLSI, which I knew nothing before, before the first exam. Then, after got 40/100 in the midterm of the intro to classical Japanese, dropping the couse was the only possiblity in my Decision FSM (No such thing in the world).
The only good thing left was that I got good grades in rest of the courses. Good ending, right?
Events
I attended several events this semester, including New Student Orientation Program(NSOP), Halloween party, and SRS pre-consulation. After spent more than two months struggling with Columbia Health Service, I got my first letter from my PCP.
Miss Charlotte Chen, received two years of HRT, ... SRS is medical necessary for her, ... Therefore, I recommend her to have a SRS as soon as possible.
Great! I made the most important step to my dream.
Following the referral letters, I started to schedule consultation appointments with some of the best plastic surgeons in the US, RBL, Jess Ting, etc. Hope I can get the surgery done soon.
Goals for Spring 2025
In the upcoming semester, I plan to:
- Take care of my mental health: I will continue to see my therapist and psychiatrist regularly and take care of my mental health. Venlafaxine is working well for me, but I still need to be cautious.
- Prepare for SRS: I will schedule consultations with plastic surgeons and prepare for SRS and FFS.
- Do research: I will start looking for research opportunities and work on a research project, probably about SoC or GPU.