Senior Year Stories by Stephanie

Even though there are only 26 days until graduation, I feel like there is still so much more I need to do.

First thing on the to do list is my Writing 340 (Advanced Writing for Engineers) final project. The assignment is to choose of the National Academy of Engineers' Grand Challenges and propose a solution from the standpoint of "student expertise." My group - all civil engineering, building science majors - chose to address "restore and improve urban infrastructure" by tackling the public transportation system in Los Angeles. It's really interesting, but also very time consuming. We're going to be presenting our proposal to USC Transportation administrators on Thursday - wish us luck! Then, the report is due the following Thursday.

I also have to finish up my final project for Building Science. My capstone project is to redesign the Chicago Spire for seismic loads in Los Angeles. There are several teams of 3-4 people in the class, and we are each using a different structural system. On presentation day, we will all compare the costs of our designs. It should be fun.

And if those two projects weren't enough, I also have 4 final exams: Advanced Steel Structures, Engineering Analytical Methods, Prestressed Concrete, and Construction Engineering.

Finally, I have my Writing 340 portfolio, which is where you resubmit two papers from earlier in the semester with revisions and they get graded again. It's not as much work as writing a paper from scratch, but it's annoying to have to deal with.

At least I have some fun planned - I'm about to take residents to Rodeo Drive and Sprinkles, and I'll be going to Six Flags after finals but before graduation for my friend's birthday.