A major problem is not a major problem

A major problem is not a major problem Three months ago, I informed MIT admissions of my firm intent to major in Course 2 or 6 (translation: Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering and Computer Science). Someone took this information, typed it onto a JPG image with my picture, stuck it on my blog page while it was still in its embryonic stages, shuttled off my finished webpage into the abysmal depths of the Internet, and didnt capitalize any proper nouns in the banner, for some unknown reason. Anyway, as much as I admire the banner that now waves (well, emits light waves) proudly over this clotted jumble of text and pictures stuffed into the semblance of an admissions information page, it appears that I will have to be identified as an aspiring Course 2 or 6 major for the rest of eternity, or at least until someone finds the JPG file and does some photoshopping (whichever one comes first). Dear Internet, I am not in Course 2 or 6. Also, I like you a lot. Thanks. Yan In fact, MIT doesnt allow students to declare majors until after they complete freshman year (mandatory exception: unless youre academically stylish and enter the Institute with enough panache and credits to nab sophomore standing after one semester, a la Chris S.). This gives freshmen enough flexibility to explore their interests, decide to major in Physics, take the first 8.012 test, decide to major in Literature, pull an all-nighter over a HASS paper, decide to major in Mechanical Engineering, take an introductory programming class, decide to major in Course 6, go to department open-houses, and declare a major in Physics. Putting the MIT in comMITment, the freshmen are not. Personally, I applied to MIT as an intended Physics major with a Music minor, switched to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science after getting accepted (Course 6), changed to Mechanical Engineering (Course 2) after doing a pre-orientation program in the course, switched back to Course 6, considered Chemical Engineering (Course 10) for 30 minutes, reverted to Mechanical Engineering (Course 2), randomly picked factors of 24 during the month of October, and finally decided to be undecided. This week, Im a Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3) major with a minor in Physics (Course 8), which is working out impressively well so far. Apparently, Materials Science majors receive even more free food than other majors. I just had a great sandwich. In full seriousness, a Course 3 major swirled with strong flavors of Course 8 feels like it might be The One. Its like waffles and avocado- the combination is unusual, but it just sounds perfect. Luckily, I still have the next four years to (1) decide on a major and (2) wait for avocados to go on sale. I promise you, both will happen someday even if Boston has to annex California in the process*. *Not sure how this will help me pick a major, but the world is full of mysteries. To end this inconclusive tale of my brief and vaccillatory life thus far at MIT, I leave you with a list of tasks I must complete before hopping on a plane, exiting in the dead-middle of America, and at some point hallowing out the flesh of dead turkeys before I can unguiltily return to Boston as someone with family values. That is, Ill be going home for Thanksgiving. -Understand gyroscopes. -Take a quiz in solid state chem. -Find a UROP. -Blog about my most excellent and megapixel-lent Veterans Day weekend. -Finish a neurobiology reading. -Take a biology exam. -Tutor AP Physics in Boston. -Attend a mandatory workshop on Tinikling dance. -Go see throat singers in Boston and dine at a restaurant with my advising group. -Write a final paper about Vietnamese noun phrase structure. -Bribe my Vietnamese friend with free dinner. -Do an arts show-and-tell with my advising group. -Finish a physics problem set. -Take a chemistry test. -Learn to play squash for continuous time intervals longer than 15 seconds. -Finish off 4 eggs, a carton of soymilk, half a loaf of bread, a bag of grapes, three pounds of apples, three clementines, 6 ounces of hummus, and 21939102402 pounds of spinach. Some people do not believe in the existence of predetermined fates, but these people probably dont follow expiration dates either. Speaking of which, Im currenly locked in a vicious cycle of spinach and apple salad, thanks to my inability to deplete supplies of both at exactly the same time (apples come in 5 pound bags, spinach in 10-ounce quantities- lowest common denominator remains undiscovered). Tart, fibery morsels spiced with the autumnal breath of nutmeg and cloves will forever haunt my recollections of freshman year. Back to work.

Dangers of Texting While Driving - Free Essay Example

Sometimes we make bad choices which can be dangerous to our lives or affect the people lives around us. Im sure there has been a time when you have been on your phone while on the road. It could be to respond to a message, answer a phone call or change a song. 37% of car rides include some type of phone involvement. Your life can be gone in a matter of seconds. It only takes 3 seconds for a drivers attention to be off the road for a crash to occur. Texting and driving stories occur in the news or an article just about every day. Technology has become a huge part of our lives. Cell phone demand grows more everyday. The quickest way to communicate is through using our cell phones. We have easy access to social media, texting, video chats etc.. on our smartphones. People are so worried about being updated about whats on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and texting back on time. Founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, David Greenfield, stated that one reason its so hard to stay away from electronic devices while driving is because of smartphones addictive nature(Teensafe 2018). Our brains instinctively respond to the alerts our phones send us that signal incoming messages or social media updates, making it harder to resist the urge to use your smartphone while driving (Teensafe 2018). The dangers of texting while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. It is very dangerous but people still continue to do it everyday. Drivers ignore warnings and laws to stop using their phones while on the road. A big reason is that theyre simply not persuaded that nothing can happen to them. Many articles and stories have been shared with the world to help influence people to put their phones away while on the road. Approximately 660,000 drivers use their cell phones while driving during the day creating a large potential for crashes and fatalities (Teensafe 2018). Currently 47 states have passed a law that banned texting and driving. The purpose of having this law helps save lives but people still continue to do it. The interest for cell phones is developing each day. Anybody can purchase a cell phone at a reasonable cost. Many drivers still speak on phones and text while driving. Accordingly talking on the phone is just as dangerous as texting. Ages 16-19 years old are three times more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age group. 11 teenagers die everyday as a result of texting and driving. Studies show that teenagers are particularly at risk for texting while driving and car crashes. Teens text five times more than adults on average (Teen led 2012).When an accident occurs as a result in texting and driving and someone is killed or injured criminal charges can be pressed against the driver. Also another consequence is that the driver can be ticketed or fined especially if texting and driving is banned in the state. In the state of Pennsylvania texting and driving is banned. The penalty for this offense in a $50 fine with additional court costs and other fees. One day I hope texting and driving death rates can decrease. Many lives are lost over this distraction. It is heartbreaking that families lose their loved ones to texting and driving everyday. I read an article on ESPN called Mother Who Lost Son to Distracted Driving Urges Friends to Put Down Phones. A teenager named Gage Edwards passed away from a car accident. Gages mother bought him an Iphone for a christmas present. She thought it would be a good idea because Gage had a busy schedule with football, baseball and work. On January 31st Gage had a makeup game, after his game he went to work. When he got off of work he was scheduled to pick up his girlfriend. He was texting while driving. He drove off the road and ran into trees. Gage passed away 2 days later. This story about Gage breaks my heart. Its so sad that a young life was lost due to texting and driving. Phone companies have started to take action. Many phone companies have been dragged into lawsuits from customers blaming them for the accidents because its their product involved in the accident. There have been numerous reasons to stop texting while driving across the nation. One of them is ATTs It Can Pause battle, requesting that drivers promise not to drive occupied. An ATT contemplate uncovered that most phone clients cooperate with a normal of five individuals every day on their cell phone. 81% of individuals examined said they have stopped doing it as much or quit using their cell phone while driving (Teensafe 2018). Apple released an IOS update which has a new feature Do Not Disturb While Driving. This feature is an optional feature you can turn on in your phone. It is able to tell when your driving. When this feature is on while driving your messages and phone calls you receive will be put on disturb. Any notifications you receive you will not be alerted. Also this feature has a parent feature mood which parents are able to control their driving teenagers phones. Texting and driving is a big problem in society today causing American death rates to rise. Many teens and adults have developed a habit of using their phones while driving. It is one of the most dangerous things to do while on the road. We are all guilty of texting while driving at one point. It is not worth it. Your life is at risk and so are the peoples lives who are around you. This simple distraction is causing innocent lives to be taken everyday.