Sunday, January 25, 2015

Nine Weeks: Writing the Thesis.

My senior seminar met this week (for one of but a handful that we'll have this semester), and it was then that I realized I have about nine weeks to write my thesis. Since econ students have senior seminar in the fall semester as well as the spring, all of the spring is more or less devoted to research, writing, and presentation of the thesis. My project is on the topic of universal provision of anti-retrovial drug therapy for HIV patients in developing economies. Other projects are studying craft breweries in VT and sustainable business, to name a few.
This is what I like to do when I'm not doing work.

Since I got to do research with Professor Walsh last summer I feel somewhat prepared to tackle such a project for the next few months, but a new project will present new challenges. Also the nature of my thesis project (theoretical) is unlike my summer research, so the goals of my research this time around are quite different.

Luckily, I have a little extra time this semester because I'm enrolled in 14 credits, which is two less than the typical 4-4 workload of students at SMC. In any case, I'm sure it'll be April before I know it and eventually these next few months will fade into a research blur, as tends to happen with so many big projects.

When I'm not focusing on class this semester, I'm doing my best to maximize my remaining time as an undergrad. Skiing is a priority (I have Mondays off of class and work, and today I skied Mad River for the first time this season!), and so is making time for friends (who knows where we'll be come September). I also wanna go out to eat more, before my last chance to try all the various cuisine of Chittenden County passes by. Music too, and lots of day-trips around VT.

Anyway, this student's gotta tap out and resume the Sunday night work grind. Here's to something new.

As always, thanks for reading.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

The Home Stretch.

I don't know whether to be surprised, or if I should have expected to hit the ground of this semester running. My first week back consisted largely of work, attending classes, seeing friends (for the beginning of the end... of school), and homework sandwiched between two rather busy weekends of ski-related activities. Tomorrow afternoon I'll have finished my AIARE Level 1 course, which is a three-day avalanche education program. To be honest, I'm running on fumes at the moment. Luckily I have time in the next few days to rest up and post something of substance, so I'm looking forward to that.

On another note, this week is full of programming on campus for the 23rd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. Kevin Powell and Jasmine Rand are featured speakers; a complete schedule can be seen below. These workshops are especially relevant given current anti-racist political movements occurring in the U.S. Check these events out!


Thanks for reading!