6) What would you call a power failure? (The Final Pun of the Year!)

It’s been a long journey this year! I have to say, I didn’t expect the last two weeks to feel both as long and as short as they are simultaneously. I honestly haven’t thought that I would have made it through this entire year were it not for the people that I became closer with throughout the entire year.

There’s a lot to celebrate, for you the first years and my own cohort; you survived your first year of Engineering! It may not be over (with the exams and all), but you have given it the best you could and made it this far. You made friends! There’s a lot riding on having connections, and there is no better time than now to start (you will meet new friends in the future when more design project pop up).

Not very surprised that I have to go out with a tiny spark similar to that of a Resistor with a surge of current through it (results in an explosion with enough curiosity and a prayer).

A live drawing of four Architecture students hastily drawing with pen and highlighters while in Gongcha
A live drawing I did of four 2nd year Architecture students while going out; I gave it to them as a gift, which prompted my accidental befriending.

Pun aside, there is much to think about Current-ly (heh) in the midst of some sort of chaos going around the world. Like the new department combining the Architecture and Engineering departments. Just last Friday, I met and befriended four 2nd year Architecture students who finished another project (imagine my horror when they tell me they have several more assignments and exams on top of them in the span of 3 weeks!) who, upon learning I am an Engineering student, rubbed their hands together,

“We’re gonna steal all of your funds!” They grinned in jest, “Yeah, go ahead I definitely don’t mind it.” I shrugged, knowing that the budget is massive in our Engineering buildings compared to their Architecture building (I even commented as such when I took Photography as my General Ed in the 4th floor of said building in first year and they were in despair over it). Had a lovely conversation about the last couple of weeks as I think about this blog before they were on their way back for another agenda they were meant to go… 3 hours ago (they were drawing, and I was drawing them drawing before I gave it to them as a gift.)

Not anything noteworthy here, but I like to think that I learned that it’s not just you and I still going through times of either stress, relief, or anywhere in-between. It’s just meeting other people that gives me a check in how I’m also doing so far. Even in what is described as one of the most difficult specializations in Engineering, I defied all my expectations of immense suffering and am coming out of this year feeling relief. Maybe because I only have two exams, but also because I think I got everything down that you need for the future (Yes, even the puns). The past blogs even before my own have much more profound and sound technical advice for getting through second year Electrical.

I’m not really smart enough for the efficient advice you may need, but I was able to offer compact summaries for the course so you don’t need to overthink like I did as much (remember that Cs still get Degrees).

Thank you still for coming on this journey with me throughout the year! I learned a lot, and you definitely did too. Not sure if I did sell myself as someone who convinced you to take this course, but I like to think that I did a good job of displaying my honest thoughts from beginning to end. It’s been an honor regardless to be the one to write for the Electrical department!

Take care of yourselves and go well!

And special message to my 2023 predecessor: I find that shouting at the void without anyone listening is a form of therapy on my end when thoughts get chaotic and it becomes a mess. So even just typing this I become calmer and feel free with my thoughts. You definitely had really smart ones of your own after reading through your work! I even met you a total of one time (209 for a lab interview, of course) and find you to be incredibly knowledgeable! Keep up the good work! I might see you and the rest of the TAs again soon!

Thank you again for having me as your 2024 Electrical Blogger!

Lanna Lagasca, 2024

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *