Seriously, you’re on FB…?? Grrrrr…

So, we all know what it’s like to NEED a computer to get work done. Using special software (i.e. MATLAB or CAD) that’s too expensive to buy for our personal computers, or typing up a paper not on your own computer (due to distractions), and so on. Well, the people I have problems with when I’m in search of a computer are those that are sitting on a computer for Facebook only. I mean, come on. Can’t you do that when all the computes aren’t taken? Some of us actually need to get work done on a computer! Gr…

If you can’t tell, this has happened to me a few times before. This is especially true when I’m in search for a CAEN computer on central campus – there are a limited number of them. I used to live in MoJo and they have 3 CAEN computers. (I know, a dorm with CAEN computers!) I would go to use one, but I’d find someone on Facebook, chatting away. Now, this person must have been an engineer because otherwise the login would have failed. Come on, engineer to engineer, we’re busy, move your bum!

The same is true for ITCS computers. There are a limited amount of them, so LSA students when you NEED to get on, how frustrating is it that people are just using the school computers for Facebook? If you’re a person that needs to check Facebook 500,000 times a day, you should (1) carry around your own laptop, (2) invest in a phone/iPod thing with internet, or (3) stop checking FB sooooooo much!

Bottom Line: Be courteous to those around you. Check FB if you need to, but don’t linger on it when computers are limited!

Student Union Series – Pierpont Commons

This is probably the “forgetten” student union. Pierpont Commons really doesn’t look anything like the Union or League…plus it’s tucked away on north campus. Now, I’ve already written about a study spot in Pierpont..remember the Pierpont Cafe? Buuuut, that doesn’t mean it’s the only place to go in Pierpont. In terms of study spots, there is a limited amount of tables available. Buuuut, in terms of attractiveness of Pierpont, easy access to food (U-Go’s, Panda Express, Quiznos, Beanster’s,…). One really cool thing about Pierpont…the flags. There is supposed to be one for every country represented at UM.

So there are a bunch of computers in Pierpont (there are 3 CAEN labs and 1 ITCS lab and a bunch of ITCS Macs around). Buuuut, the CAEN labs are typically full of Engr101 students (those learning to program), so don’t bank of a ton of available computers. This building is more of a “passing” lane, not a “study spot.”

Bottom Line: Although some people find Panda Express tasty, not great for studying (the food or the location!)

In Class Activity Dos

I despise Apple products (and yes, I mean this despite the fact that I have to use a MacBook Pro every week in class…gr…). I don’t own an iPod, iPhone, any of this “i” things. I hope you realize that in mathematics “i” represents the imaginary number..so does that mean that Apple products are images of our imaginations? I wish.

In Class Activities

Numero Uno: Completely unrelated to my blog…except for the fact that I tend to get hungry when studying for long periods of time, and this stuff is tasty! (Granted, it won’t fill you up for a good study session!)

 

 

Student Union Series – The League

There are three potential study places I’ve found in The Michigan League: Beansters, the lobby, and the basement.

Beansters can be a good place if you like background noise (and coffee!). They have some nice booths and tables – and there are a few computers in there (thes go fast though!).

The lobby is my favorite place in the League to study. The League has lower traffic than the other unions, which makes it appealing. In the lobby (right by U-go’s) there are two alcoves, and if you can get one of those, do it! Otherwise there is typically a big table in the lobby, but the other day I walked through it was missing – maybe they were repairing it and it will be back soon!? One can only hope…

The basement is the last place – it’s very similar to the Union basement, but lower traffic (although, now that Taco Bell is there…). There are computers down there…in the Cyber Lounge. I swear, I’m not making this up.

Bottom Line: Alcove in the lobby is a great place! Quiet, yet varying noises when people pass through.

Student Unions Series – The Union

The Michigan Union. Is anything more well-known to students than this building?

Although a very recognizable building, it’s not my favorite place to study. The basement is where the food court is, so that’s the natural place of student congregation. Because of this, it gets very loud very quickly. A student group that I’m a part of has “study tables” in the Union Basement once a week, and never do we get work done. The basement (especially in the evenings) is a socializing area, not a studying one. There is the Tap room in the basement (it’s a room separated by a door frame) and sometimes that suitable for studying, but not always. General warning about the basement: the tables MIGHT BE STICKY! Just be aware before you set down that final art project…

I have also been in the first floor “reading room.” That is a quiet room – and I’ve only found pleasure reading (a.k.a. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand)  do-able in such a quiet room. Other people seemed to be getting some studying done, but it was too quiet for me.

Rumor has it there is a computer lab below the basement…if you’re looking for a computer in the Union (the Tap Room ones are taken), you might trying get down there. And no, I’m not trying to send you on a wild goose chase, more of an adventure!



Student Unions Series – Introduction!

Some people are surprised that there are actually three (yes, that’s right 1, 2, 3!) students unions on campus. The Union (ivy covered building there on State Street), the League (the hotel union on the corner of North University and Fletcher Street), and Pierpont Commons (all the way on North Campus). All have a unique study (or lack of study) environment. I will be posting on my personal experience (and imaginable experiences) of these three unions within the next week.

You know, I hate studying too…

So this isn’t a study spot post, but rather a “venting” post. Even though I’ve been suggesting various places to study around UM campus…I gotta ask myself “why am I studying so much?” I mean, I’ve been running on bare minimum sleep for a while now (I walked home from North Campus pretty late last night…so late that I don’t really want to post it here…). So what is all this studying for? I mean, I’m lucky, I have a job lined up after I graduate in April/May. So I basically just have to pass my classes. So again I ask, “why am I studying so much?”

Oh…right…senior design.

Where Should I go Next…?

So where’s the general area of study spots you’d like to see next? I’m not saying I’ll only stick there or focus on there, but I will for sure keep it in mind in the future!

Some Singapore Learning in Blogging Class

So today in blogging class we were given an assignment. Actually, we were given a link and then had to post about it – it didn’t matter what we posted on – we just had to start from the link.

So I’m not going to say I was surprised with my link, although I was. It’s a “not so very secret” secret that I want to be a math teach some day. Most of my friends don’t realize this (probs cause my presenting skills need some work) and half the time I get a “shocked” reaction, while the other half of the time I get a “that would be great for you!” reaction.

So you might ask, where did this link take you? Well, it took me here.