Class Schedule for Spring 2009

All of us have free time, while most of us complain about not having enough of it. But in college, sometimes if you look at it from every angle, that you just might find that less free time now equals significantly better opportunities in the future. I always tend to advocate that we push ourselves to do more and work harder in the time we have, so that we can better ourselves and the world around us. I kept this in mind while creating my Spring schedule. Yes, I could easily get exhausted and worn out, but one semester of some serious hard work can really help me in the future - I'll have less work to do!

Next Semester I'm taking

• Computer Science 2: Data Structures


• Discrete Structures


• Object Oriented Software Development


• Japanese First Year: Second Semester

In addition, I'm still busy with a number of other groups and events, all of which I consider vital to my success as a University student. The more you do, the more you socialize, and the harder you work then the more likely you'll find yourself enjoying the work you do, or you'll even find yourself with the ability to cut out the things you least enjoy and replace them only with what you like.

• I am the Associated Residence Halls Associations Director


• I am in charge of organizing the Open Source University Meetup


• I am an honors student


• I organize a weekly movie watching for my friends

In addition, I had a pretty great weekend. Although I always wish I had the opportunity to be more productive, let me highlight one small event. In checking my mail, I had a statement from Citi - it was my credit card bill (I never have a huge balance, don't worry). Inside, though, they increased my APR! What a shock. But, knowing that I've never paid late in the two years I've had the card, I knew I did not have to let this fly, so I called customer service straight away. In only a few moments I had found myself with a 4.9% APR for 9 months, and then a really low rate afterwards, even lower than I had originally. They key here was simple: I was polite and understanding, while still firm (not angry) at the same time. I explained that I was a good customer and that I find myself negative affected by these changes (boosted by my great background and payment history), and said that I wanted to see if these changes could be negated.

So always keep in mind that as long as you're consistent, polite, understanding, yet still firm, but never threatening, you can often make the best out of any situation, even the bad ones.