Author: Arim Baek, Email: baeka3@unlv.nevada.edu
Date Last Modified: 02/23/2025

Since the midterm exams are just around the corner, I studied at the library. Being among hardworking people made me more productive. Studying on the top floor of the library, I enjoyed the great sunshine during the day, and in the afternoon, the beautiful sunset view cheered me up. I also love the faint smell of old books that filled the air. I used to be busy exploring different places in the city on weekends, but spending a leisurely day in the library like this was really enjoyable. After the midterms, I definitely want to come back here to read a novel with a cup of coffee!

I met Jack, who is Jules's friend. He mentioned that he is a soccer player and is very interested in Korean drinking games. I guess he became interested in them after the song “APT” became popular. We decided to play drinking games the next time we meet. I’ll definitely have to show him just how intense Korean drinking games can be! Haha!

I observed students asking question to the professor, even about minor details, whenever they had doubts during the class. In Korea, students often hesitate to ask questions during class. Even if they have questions, it's more common to approach the professor personally after class. This is because they worry that their questions might interrupt the flow of the lesson or distract other students. However, here, the questions they ask and the additional explanations from the professor are really helpful for my learning. The enthusiasm and eagerness to learn through constant questioning looked really impressive, and it made me want to become that kind of student as well.

I found that learning new things is truly exciting and enjoyable. Over the years, studying had not been a fun activity to me. While there were moments when I felt joy and a sense of accomplishment from new realizations and solving problems, I mostly studied out of obligation. My “study” had always been attending lectures, memorizing theories from books, and applying them to solve problems. That's why I used to turn to books first whenever I wanted to learn something new. However, things are different here. Instead of opening a book first, I dive in and try things out. When face challenges, I look for resources to solve it. This hands-on process helps me gradually improve my understanding. Studying this way enhances my ability to remember and understand. Moreover, as I solve problems and see myself improving, I find the learning process incredibly enjoyable.

I'm currently learning how to use Webots to simulate line following with Lego Mindstorm. I've studied how to create objects, set positions, and configure motor controllers. Since it's my first time to use the simulator, everything feels new and unfamiliar. However, seeing a robot operate like the real thing with just a few lines of code is so interesting!