For my graduation speech I described the link between teenagers and their footwear:
I'd like to draw a similar analogy to my bookshelf. You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at the books on their shelf. To demonstrate this, I've taken a picture of my bookshelf and would like to go over the books on it with you.
From right to left:
Assembly Modeling with SolidWorks 2006
SolidWorks is a 3D solid modeling computer program that I use for making neat models online.
SolidWorks 2006: The Basics
Again, SolidWorks guide.
Engineering and Computer Graphics Workbook Using SolidWorks 2006
More SolidWorks!
MIT Freshman Photobook
This is so I can look up the names of random people I meet/forget. Also a nice reminder that the odds are good, but the goods are odd.
How To Survive a Robot Uprising
A birthday present from my roommate. I think it'll come in handy some day, especially since any robot uprising is likely to start from somewhere within MIT.
1337 h4x0r h4ndb00k
Do I really need to explain why I have this? Yes? Because it's amazing!
Mysterious Spiral Bound Book
Another SolidWorks guide, this one focusing on how to use macros to make life easier.
How to Get Around MIT
If you're ever at the MIT bookstore (The Coop (rhymes with hoop)) and are even kinda considering MIT, buy this book. It has absolutely everything and was written/published by students. Forget any other book about MIT, this is the one you want.
Typographic Design: Form and Communication
One of the several textbooks for my Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) class. It's about fonts is actually very interesting!
The Iron Whim
Another book for my HASS class, this one not interesting at all and actually quite maddening. I made it 3 chapters in before giving up. It's about a guy's obsession with typewriters, honestly, why was this book written!?
Sprague High School 2007 Yearbook
Muchos Kudos to the yearbook staff for my senior year in high school, this is the best yearbook I've ever seen. I keep it around for nostalgia and because it's just so well designed and laid out.
Really Thin Book
Wired's "Geekapedia," which defines any and every Web 2.0 slang or jargon that any non-geek needs to become the next Michael Snively.
Not So Thin Book, But Still Pretty Thin
MIT Career fair guide. Not sure why I still have this, I've never even opened it.
University Physics
My physics book. I think we all know my stance on physics (hate hate hate hate hate) but the book is fairly decent. We'll see how my physics test on Thursday goes though.
Multivariable Calculus
Mmmmmm, calculus. Calculus and I have never really gotten along well (surf through some of my entries towards the end of last school year, you'll see what I mean), but this year I think I'm actually starting to absorb it. I've passed everything in the class so far, which is a good sign.
Modern Art
Another HASS book, one I have almost no intention of reading.
Two Composition Books
Tip to prospective freshmen: Composition notebooks, while terrible for taking notes in, are WONDERFUL for just doing scratch work in. It eliminates loose paper and you can just scribble random work inside wherever you want. Plus, they're light and compact. Definitely bring a few of these for scratch work.
Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry
I have a test in this class tomorrow! The chemistry book is a beast. It's been rumored that some poor east campus kids use it to kill small animals for food. However big it may be, it's very useful for learning chemistry so I keep it around.
Three Binders
Each one is for a different subject, an attempt to stay organized. Unfortunately, that attempt failed, seeing as I can't remember which subject is in which binder and I haven't opened them in several weeks. Oh well, nobody's perfect.
Mysterious Spiral Bound Black Book
This is my shooting journal for pistol. After every practice I write down what happened during practice so I can learn from it for next time.
Ethernet Cable
This is in case I ever need hardwired Internet. It was free, I took it.
Dead Cell Phone
This is my old, broken, dead cell phone. I'm still trying to come up with a creative way to dispose of it (BOOM!).
So, that's it, my bookshelf. Can you see where I'd believe it was characteristic of me? Where else will you see books like that? Stay tuned for more exciting blog posts in the future, I won't disappoint. Ciao!
Do NOT buy the How to Get Around MIT book it's a scam. If you end up going to MIT it's free, and if you're visiting MIT then you're likely staying with a student who already has one or knows someone who has one. It's $10 at the Coop, which $10 more than you'll ever have to pay to get a copy. It's really useful to have, but honestly I've never needed it and haven't opened it up since Orientation. Think of it like freshman insurance.
ReplyDeleteDitto Harrison's comment. If you're visiting MIT, just try stopping in the headquarters of your favorite major - they usually have a spare copy or two for free. (Not sure where the departmental headquarters are? Never fear, Google is here! Or you can just ask your host/tour guide/friendly neighborhood admissions worker.)
ReplyDeleteMore randomness: I also have "How to Survive a Robot Uprising," which incidentally I bought at the Coop last year. Great book.
Finally, my bookshelf is bigger than yours. :P
Animals love with simplicity and purity! There's a lot to be said about learning from our four-footed friends.
ReplyDelete