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Computer Science is not for the faint-hearted

If there's anything I've learnt this year it's this: Computer Science is not for the faint-hearted. I'm talking about things like artificial intelligence, networking theory, compiler engineering... these are all difficult subjects for instance. I hear some people complain that these subjects are useless. I disagree however because I think it depends entirely on what field you are going into. I think it is still possible to excel in them with a lot of diligence (but also possible to fail them). Continue reading →

What An Awesotronic Year!

It’s almost shocking that we are already through with the 2010/2011 academic year! Indeed, how time flies. I can still vividly remember the Freshers’ Week/Jumpstart events at the beginning of the Fall term and then our very first Semester I lectures which gradually built up to the exams. Now, it’s almost two weeks since our last Semester II exams and I cannot but marvel at what an eventful academic year it has been. Continue reading →

2011 so far – Part 1

2011 so far - Part 1 It may be becoming somewhat of a cliché, but what a year it has been so far. Such a busy and exciting year it has been that I’ve not made time to write a blog about it yet. Oops! Sorry about that. But fear not, with a few weeks rest now, in between exams finishing and the start of work for the summer, I’m finally able to give you an update on all the exciting things I’ve been up to. January started off with Semester 1 exams. Continue reading →

The Viva Presentation

The Viva presentation was sorted two weeks ago and all the examinations are now done and dusted. Barring some very unexpected poor results, it should confirm that I have achieved my original aim - when I started back at University - of obtaining a good degree from a quality university. My academic career will continue for another year, which will allow the transformation of that presumed Bachelor's degree into a Master's degree. Continue reading →

What’s wrong with being a PhD Student?

Adam: Musi, we supposed to have a meeting yesterday? Musi: I think, the meeting is scheduled to be every Wednesday? Adam: It was Wednesday yesterday! Musi: No, today is Wednesday! Adam: Today is Thursday, go check your calendar! Musi: (a bit embarrassed.....), Well ... blah Adam: It’s ok, I understand you are a final year PhD.....!!! Well, this was the argument I had with my supervisor a couple of weeks back. Afterwards, I cried, Oh God, what's wrong with being a PhD ... lol. Continue reading →

My attitude has definitely been better this semester

Looking at my last post is interesting. My attitude has definitely been better this semester (and I know this because I'm not nearly as stressed) but there is no doubt that it has not improved as much as I'd have liked it to. Despite what seems to be some kind of apathy complex, I've pushed myself to lighten up, get back in touch with people, and work (to some extent). The second half of this year feels like it's taken forever. Continue reading →

Silence that Speaks

Silence that speaks One of benefits of studying in Southampton is that it has the advantage of being a coastal city with an international port. It also has other coastal cities like Bournemouth and Portsmouth close by, which in a way offer different kinds of waterfronts. Those interested in sandy beaches would find Bournemouth more appealing. However, a very attractive location close to Southampton and still within the County of Hampshire is the Isle of Wight. Continue reading →

Project Submitted!

Project submitted! The project report has been handed in: the piece of technical literature which will have the greatest weight on my grade for this academic year. This was, in fact, done nine days ago, but it has taken me this time to recover and find the time to express the event in words. With the stress of the individual project having been lifted, there exists a sort of limbo which feels something akin to the day after the lord mayor's show. Continue reading →

Deadlines Have This Amazing Effect

Deadlines It's quite amazing the effect deadlines have on students. I am pretty sure STACS (this is the helpdesk in the Zepler Computer labs) can attest to the increased traffic both on the computer networks and in human movement during coursework/project deadlines. The effect could even be more striking or significant (or even hilarious depending on how you look at it) when different modules for some strange reasons happen to have coinciding deadlines. Continue reading →

I Have Learnt A Lot Since My Last Post

Some of the things I have learnt since my last post: 1. Writing a compiler is hard (but fun). I don't know what it was, whether it was the timing of the coursework assignments, the abnormal length of the term, or just people leaving things to the last minute, but what we ended up with was one of the most difficult weeks of the term, as everyone furiously attempted to complete the coursework for the Compiler Engineering module. Continue reading →