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Alex's Apps and Maps

Posted 23rd January 2017
by Alex

I've just completed the first semester and exams for my second year. I will not know the full results for another week just yet, though things are looking up. This semester on the whole was quite enjoyable, I encountered a new module - 2D Computer Graphics & Design. I found this to be challenging, but I still completed my coursework module, so if I have a similar problem in the future, I will know how to overcome it instead of struggle on a module that I could potentially choose to leave last minute, when instead this may be an aspect that will help me by strengthening my degree in the final year. I have also been offered work experience at a friend's business to gain new knowledge and insight, which helps me improve academically and career wise - shadowing and learning new skills within the University's Information Technology system.

Approaching the Christmas period, I was busy at university studying for exams and meeting assessment deadlines. My coursework module was new to me in that I had never used Javascript previously - A new programming language for inputting code. My sister introduced me to her friend, who has experience in Computer programming and he suggested Netbeans, which is a new program that manages and divides code by separating data into chunks, therefore enabling me to check and complete error codes. This was good for getting a new perspective of my work and allowed me to facilitate a new outlook on my project so I could find a way to complete this and then move on to the next deadline without being stressed but relieved.

Throughout the semester my sister attended some of my Computer Science lectures so I could introduce her to some of the concepts I was working on and receive productive feedback from her and my peers from my team.

In my personal time, I am working on an unprecedented personal project that is semi-related to the study of Computer Science. One that I have been working on and off for about 2 years that also involves cartography, as I am greatly interested in that field, one that was originally on my mind for when I initially contemplated University. Personally speaking, I would consider myself quite the aficionado on maps and topographical detailing, historical ones of Western Europe in particular.

I am also maintaining my social life by occasionally going on outings with my sister and friends, such as visiting the cinema to watch movies. By doing this, I make sure I keep a fair balance between recreation, work and personal matters.

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