Student mentor Post Spring 2021: Spring break

 Hey everyone! The mixer had a great turn out. I look forward to the day we can do it in person again. So I know midterms are coming and I hope that everyone is managing their time well. If you need any help please email or text me, I will help if I can. I am in the middle of two weeks of midterms since ASU decided that we will not have a spring break due to the virus and because of that I have had my midterms spread over two weeks. Which might sound nice but I find it a bit stressful because I am still getting homework in other courses but I'll get through it, we all will. I hope the projects are going well, if anyone needs to see examples of papers please just ask I am happy to share my past work and experience. Stay safe guys.  

Student Mentor Post Spring 2021: Come to the Mixer! You'll regret it if you don't

 Hey everyone! Once again sorry about my absence last week but I was completely engulfed in funeral stuff. I am back and although I am extremely busy this week with midterms and parent teacher conferences for my kids, I wanted to take this time to remind you about the mixer this Friday. Yes this FRIDAY! While I understand that the mixer is virtual, once again, which is kind of a bummer. I want to stress what an amazing opportunity this is. The professors at ASU are taking so much time out of their extremely busy day to meet with you. They come to answer any and all questions you might have and it is a great chance to meet a potential mentor. These professor are looking for new interns and even if you do not conduct research there is a big chance that they will be one of your course professors when you transfer. Get to know them a head of time before you are just a face in a sea of 60 plus students. Honestly take it from me and other train scholars, don't let this chance pass you by. It can be hard to find a mentor once you are lost in that big crowd. And do not be intimidated, last time this was very informal and you can move to any 'table' that you find interesting. I may be in and out because I have a cybersecurity conference that I am attending that day but thankfully it is virtual so I hope to see all of you there on Friday. 

PS think of questions to ask the potential mentors now like What are they currently working on? What do they expect of the interns? Courses you need so you can be ready? Specific questions about your degree program, really almost any thing you can think of they are willing to answer. 

Student Mentor Post Spring 2021: Get REU applications in ASAP!

 Hey everyone! Good to be back, I think I may have missed the first blog, I apologize. My family, like many others, has been impacted by COVID. I have been dealing with some more bad news and prepping for a funeral next week. Sorry for bringing the mood down but I just want some level of understanding, we all have lives and things going on so be gentle with yourself and be safe. 

For this post I really want to emphasize the importance of summer REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates). REUs can give you that critical experience that you need for the real world and it exposes you to new skills that you can use in your career. They are great opportunities to network and  build your CV and or resume. If you are attending grad school you should participate in an REU, they give you an edge and basically make you a well rounded candidate. Most REUs are due by the end of this month, some are already closed! Don't wait and don't miss out on an amazing opportunity. P.S. many REUs are still virtual and almost all offer a stipend (get paid over summer to master your craft)!!!

Check out this link for some NSF REUs!

https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

Student Mentor Post: It is my finals week... The end is near

 Hello friends, I hope you all had a restful holiday break. This week is my finals week so I am exhausted. I am sure that you all are feeling the same way. I want to wish you all good luck on your finals. We are so close so just muster up the last bit of energy and motivation so you can get to winter break with peace. I want to remind you guys to apply NOW to ASU if you plan to transfer next fall and also apply to scholarships for next fall as well, and to summer research programs. Do all those things now and finish up before the break is over. I encourage you all to apply to The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship/https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/ It closes on January 6, it is pretty extensive so start ASAP. I am a JKCF scholar so if you have question please reach out to me!

https://www.reddit.com/r/StudentNurse/comments/a4dwps/humor_when_youre_ready_for_christmas_but_still/

Student Mentor Past Fall 2020: I need more time!!!

 Hey guys! Hope everything is going well enough. From your blogs it seems that it is. My semester is almost over and I am actually feeling like I need more time! Thanksgiving is next week and that is basically my last day. This semester I have found an amazing learning cite called Udemy. I want to share it with you all because it has been extremely helpful for me. I am currently using it for Java but they have a multitude of courses. Udemy is not free but every other week or so they do flash sales on courses, dropping the prices as low as $10. I paid 16 and some change for mine. It operates like any online learning course, you have videos, exercises, projects, access to Q&As, and it is all at your own pace and once you pay for it you have access to the course for as long as it is available on Udemy, which can be for years. I hope this is helpful. Stay safe!

Student Mentor Post Fall 2020: Do not be afraid....

 Hello my wonderful cohorts! I hope everyone had a nice Veterans Day. I want to share a little some thing with you all. Last Friday, I took a day off for mental health. I mean no social media, minimal TV (had to watch the Mandalorian), no homework, no studying, no class!!!!! No Class!!!!??? What!? That is a huge deal for me, I strive to be on top of my game so missing class feels like I am cheating myself but.... I must say that taking that one day off was glorious and I can see no harm done by taking that time to rest and clear my head. These are stressful times guys. The pandemic is a dangerous rollercoaster we're all on, the online learning environments, and the lack of physical socializing is tremendously hard on all of us. I suggest that we should all take a well deserved day off each semester. Please look at your schedules and find a convenient day for you to just unplug and enjoy the life that you have :) .... I also want to take this time to remind you all to never be scared to reach out and ask for help. I am in contacts with a private tutor so that I can get that one on one help that I need to be successful in Java. Your are your biggest advocate! Stay safe my friends and remember to blog/discuss every Thursday. 

Enjoy these Mando gifs 😊

https://images.app.goo.gl/Jxqy1xTuMyfjwQyF9.   

https://giphy.com/gifs/starwars-the-mandalorian-TJyLAD1HTmkMmY7vuZ/links

Student Mentor Post Fall 2020: This has been a long and weird week....

 So, this election week is dragging on. Hopefully all of you got out and voted on Tuesday if not before. All I have planned this week is just me racing to finish one of my classes early. When ever the chance presents its self I will finish any class early so that I can devote my last few weeks to polishing up my research project. Since I am not currently conducting research I am going to devote that free time to practicing writing good clean code and preparing for my final in my ACO course. As always remember to blog and discuss on Thursdays and keep pushing through, we're so close to the end of the semester and you guys are doing great.