Back to Square One

Hi All,

Haven't updated in quite a while, but now feels like a time to do so.

My last post (back in June) mentioned my retaking the Analysis qualifying exam this fall. The text was last week, and I got the results this week. Turns out that I did not pass the exam, and, as a consequence, have been terminated from the program. There are many things going through my mind at this point about the turnout of the exam. For one, I received more than half the points, which is the general unspoken rule for passing. Also, I was planning on going into Algebraic Topology, so perhaps there should be a slight lenience on my Analysis exam? Obviously, I would never ask for a "free pass" but lenience might be nice.

However, it's a blessing in disguise. I will continue elsewhere to obtain my degree. I will be successful, and I will be happier. So, I will show those at JHU that I CAN do this and I WILL do this, and it's their lose for not having me in their program. Plus, not to toot my own horn, but I had several students stay after my section yesterday and tell me that I was the best TA, and this from students who are notorious for hating math.

I will be staying at JHU at least through the end of this semester, but beyond that I am not sure what I will be doing. I have the option of staying through the end of the academic year, should I choose to continue TAing, but I'll evaluate that decision later on.

I'll keep this thing updated on decisions and such.

Either Or

So, turns out I had to pick either doing work/studying or updating my blog, so I stopped updating.

I basically only studied for quals and such for the past several months. Turns out I passed Algebra (much to my surprise), and failed Analysis, which I'm dealing with. I'm now currently studying and prepping for teaching Differential Equations online this summer. And also studying for the Analysis exam which I'll retake in September.

Next semester is going to be a bit crazy as far as classes, so I'll post again in the future on the definite courses and such.

Thanks to everyone who reads my blog!

Ahead of the Game

Accomplished is one way to express how I'm feeling right now. I'm overjoyed as well! I set out on a new way of thinking this past week, more organization, a more solidified schedule of when I want tasks to be completed. Overdoing it? Maybe. It's not often you see people with 2 page long detailed to do lists, including within it everything from detailed homework assignments, going to church, cleaning various rooms of the apartment. The only thing not on my to-do list is sleep, eat, shower, and other basic necessities of life. Now, I've made to-do lists in the past, so what is different about this to do list? Well, for one, I'm actually getting the things on it done!! But, it's how I'm doing my to-do list that's really making the difference. In the past, I've written everything down and did things in a half-random order (only semi-prioritizing items on the list, assignments always first, and after that, a free for all!). I also only really used my to-do list on the weekend, and once it was into the week, it was forgotten about.

This specialized to-do list contains everything I had in it before with one major addition. Now, I have a set schedule on when I want certain items done by. Now, it would be physically impossible to get everything on my list done in one week, which is why I allow for the schedule of "Next Week" to appear in a few places. This is ONLY on stuff from last semester that I did not get around to finishing (reading and such), and readings that are not due in that upcoming week. Each day of the week has a color, and for each day I have a set of things that I wish to accomplish, marked by a dot of the color next to the assignment. For example, today is Monday, and is marked by Yellow. And today's tasks (besides my attending class obligations) include rewriting my complex variables notes from today's lecture, reading two sections in Lang (from last semester), reading one section in Hatcher (from last semester), and go food shopping. This seems like a light load, and to be perfectly honest, it is. I should get those items done with no problems, and if that's the case, depending on the time I finish, I'll either relax a bit (take some me time) or read one more section in Lang, or something like that. Always moving forward!! But, I really feel accomplished. Out of the 73 items on my list, I have finished 32 of them. And being that my list started on Friday, and it's Monday and 12 of the items are listed for next week, I'd say that's pretty good. I think this is just going to be what I have to do! Go figure.

As for my actual classes, I'm thoroughly enjoying all of them! Complex is actually fun, I can visualize the material, which always makes it easier and more enjoyable for me. Algebra is very hard, as I knew it would be. It is my weakest subject. And, Algebraic Topology is starting to really sink in. This idea of cohomology that we're working on entirely this semester is quite fascinating, and the beauty of it all working dually with homology. Most wouldn't understand the beauty of this, and I'm sure I don't fully understand it either, but at least I can see it.

One Week Down

Well, I've survived the first week. Initial reaction for all my classes??

Complex Variables I think will be a very very good course. I'm really pushing in this one at the moment because in the grand scheme of things, I have a qualifying exam on this combined with Real Variables in May. And, I definitely slacked last semester (although others would argue that I definitely didn't, so I guess that's all debatable), so I need to kick butt in complex and really understand it so I don't fail that qualifying exam. I figure, if I can nail the complex stuff, and at least look like I know what I'm talking about in reals, then I'll have a shot at passing. Plus, the material is actually kind of interesting. We worked mainly with the Cauchy Integral Formula, and the Cauchy Integral Theorem the last class. It's pretty interesting, to be quite honest! And, what's even better, I have an assignment due on Monday, which is DONE! Go me!

Algebraic Topology is going well. There's really nothing new in this course, nothing special to report on. Same as last semester! We covered cohomology yesterday, at least the definition of. I imagine we'll do some examples and proofs with it in the coming weeks, or actually the entirety of the semester (we're only doing Hatcher's chapter (3) on Cohomology, with a few things added if time allows). So far so good though!

And Algebra. I cannot express enough, my disdain for Algebra! (Yet, here I am, thinking of going into Algebraic Topology, go figure.) My professor for this course is, well, interesting. I cannot understand/hear (it bounces between) him most of the class, and I'm not sure he understands this limitation, because unlike my professor last semester who did understand this limitation, he puts nothing really up on the board except for extremely abstract diagrams of field extensions. And, these diagrams, he reuses for other purposes a half hour later in the lecture. So, I'm going to have to read before and after this class, so that I can get an idea in my head for the lecture and then put the diagrams back into the text for a deeper understanding. We'll see how that goes. Algebra is what's on task for this weekend, with an assignment due on Tuesday.

So, there you have it. Much less stress so far this semester, so I hope that keeps up. On to tackle Galois Theory, straight from Lang. I know that all you mathematicians out there are jealous ... (sarcasm).

One Lecture (Per Class) Done!

First off ... Greetings to all my new readers! I'm so glad this blog is bringing in some interest. The comments you all leave, while I do not always respond, help to keep me going. It is very encouraging to know that there is such support in the math community! Responding to one comment on my last post: Favorite Talks at the JMM this past month - I attended a few Algebraic Topology talks, none of which I understood, but there was such a different dynamic in that room, as compared to other rooms. A fellow graduate student made the observation that it is because everyone in that room is a member of the field and has done, in some cases more than others, vast research in the area. Other fun ones included a few graph theory talks, a matrix theory talk, and a few arts/music talks. My overall favorite, I think, had to be the matrix theory one talking about ranks of graphs. This is partly because I have done research in the area of minimal rankings of graphs, and some of the results were the same as results I had proved, but done in a different way. Sorry for the long winded answer!

Onto the new stuff...

And, here we go again! This semester started off much better than last semester! Complex Variables yesterday went very well, except when he started talking about conformal mapping, hopefully we don't use that too much. On task for that course is to get the Cauchy-Riemann Equations memorized and comfortable in use. And I need to read the first two chapters in our text, and do the assignment which is due on Monday. Yikes!

Algebraic Topology thismorning as actually quite enjoyable. I really, REALLY like the subject (I say this now...). We did mainly warm-up material today. I was the only student that showed, (there's only one other in the course) so it was kind of awkward at first until we got going. We got some snow today, which in Maryland is not something that people know how to deal with, especially while driving. Being from NY and going to undergrad in CT, while I hate doing it and avoid it when I can, it was no big deal today. No assignment for that course yet, but I'm working on catching up on reading I didn't get finished last semester, as well as a few pages that he assigned for reading today.

Algebra was directly after Alg. Top. and should be interesting. For sitting in the course for an hour or so, I have less than 2 pages of notes, which is unheard of for me. This is due partly to the fact that he didn't cover much (very introductory stuff to Galois Theory, and not even using advanced terminology), and the other partly due to the fact that what he did throw up on the board, it was all symbols and diagrams, very few words. He claims that if we pass the course, we will have no problem passing the qualifying exam in May. I'm not so sure I believe that, but you know, it happens I suppose.

Push comes to shove, I'll be working much harder this semester than last semester. I wrote 24 pages of notes yesterday (reviewing last semester's Algebraic Topology course), in addition to the 4 pages of notes I took during Complex Variables. Hopefully this hard work will pay off. I have just over 2 hours before I leave here for a few hours to tutor at an alternative high school up the road, so I should eat lunch and get some work done.

New Semester

After a very long (very relaxing, and unfortunately not productive) winter break, classes start back up again today.

I did attend the JMM in DC in January, which were very exciting. I may have even run into a few of those who have been commenting on my blog for the past few months, and not even known it!! Perhaps next time, I'll be more aware of that. Although, I don't think my school will fund me going to San Fran, but who knows.

Just an overview of what's going on this semester, I'm taking three classes and doing help room. No teaching!!! Qualifiers are in May, two exams, one in Algebra and one in Complex/Real Variables (combined exam). The goal is to pass both of them in May, otherwise I take them in September again, and that's my last shot at them. Two and out, so they say!

The classes that I'm taking this semester are Complex Variables, Graduate Algebra II, and Algebraic Topology II, and I may be the only student enrolled in that Algebraic Topology II course. So, needless to say, it should be an interesting semester. I'm getting myself over-geared up for the topology course so I can be on the top of my game. Complex seems like it should be a good course, I'm excited for that one. And Algebra, well ... I just don't like it, but it's partly because it's just beyond my grasp right now. I have the potential to fully understand it, and it's frustrating because it's right there, I can touch it with my fingertips, but I can't get a full hand around it. Maybe this semester it will all come together.

Beyond that, it should be a good semester. I'm trying to be more productive in my office/at the library than I was last semester, and I'm really going to be diligent about reading before class and again after class, at least reviewing the material.

So, here's to Spring 2009! My second semester of graduate school!

Feeling Human!

Well, now that all that's over with, I can feel human again. No insane stress levels, no more feeling like I have to be super woman with teaching and studying and assignments. It's so nice to be able to relax, even if it's only for a few days!

I passed all my classes, and even somehow managed an A in Algebra ... no idea how I could possibly do that. Obviously, I won't complain though.

So, I'm going to work through some Complex Analysis on my own over my break, and review Algebra a bit too. But other than that, no major math for me! (Well, except the Joint Meetings, ha!)

Thanks for all the support from my readers throughout this past semester!!