Entries in "Academia"
Other Newz You Can Uze
I have a really easy workload this semester. Or rather, it's less about homework and deadlines than about managing my own time, and that makes it easier. Two of my classes are project-based instead of homework-based. These are the kind of classes I've been waiting for since I came here, and I wish more professors would take this approach. Homework forces me to do something, it doesn't encourage me to learn something. Also, I can't think of a single homework that I've actually enjoyed or wanted to do. Projects, for me, are the exact opposite.
So anyway, the most interesting class is EECS 396L: Game Production. It's a mixing pot of CIA, CIM, and Case students who all join teams and make games. My team is making a third-person action puzzle game, like Myst meets Legend of Zelda.
Good luck to my friend Mike, who was flown out to New York City today (without much warning) for an interview at Google. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. I hope it goes well.
Oh yeah, I'm also jealous that I didn't get the chance to go to Paul Graham's Startup School program last weekend in Boston, which Mike also attended. I was going to apply, but I couldn't have made it out to Boston. Graduation is almost upon us, and a lot of people I know are thinking about what they want to do. For me it's startup or bust. Or Google. Or 37signals. Relying on all these ideas is risky and delusional, but I'm not going to be happy working for Generic Tech Company, so I'm remaining optimistic.
My plans:
- Spring 2006: school
- Summer & Fall 2006: co-op
- Spring 2007: school (extra semester) & graduation
money dot com part two
So, Fall semester.
Getting this was pretty awesome:
However, the excitement only lasted for a couple minutes, because a check was written "from Brian to Case" for the same amount not long after. And I still owe $1,800.
Before I get into my money rant, I should comment on the Summer of Code. Yes, that check means I successfully completed my project. Actually, it means I did "just enough." I wish I could be prouder of the results of my project, but two months to design, code, and test something that big is not easy. So I'll be revisiting Knoware another time, and hopefully doing a better job.
Back to money. Those who know me know that I'm never stressed out or angry. Classes don't stress me out, even when I get terrible grades. Relationships don't stress me out. Owing money, however, stresses me out. If I had $0 to live on, but I didn't owe Case any money, I would be happy — and this is usually what happens every semester.
This semester, I just can't figure it out. I know tuition has been hiked, and the new apartments are more expensive, but on the other hand, I'm not on the meal plan and financial aid increases slightly with each year you stay at Case. So I should be paying less out of my own pocket, right?
Anyway, the point is that my bank account is empty and I still owe money and it's stressing me out.