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Kent
Tohyama
Blog
I will post updates here throughout the year showing off what I am up to.
Blog entry #1 (8/24/20)
Wrapping up summer and starting school
I spent this summer in quarantine. Outside of summer school and college applications, I've been doing my best to spend time outside. I've been running and spending time with friends playing Frisbee and ping pong.
I also discovered the mechanical keyboards subreddit, and after many hours spent browsing the world of mechanical keyboards, I invested in one of my own. It was fun building it, and I was able to use the soldering skills I acquired in engineering to create a functioning keyboard.
I'm excited to start this year of engineering because I'll be able to use all of the skills that I have developed over the past three years to work on projects and solutions that are unique to myself.
In school, I have been able to put together a schedule of classes that I am excited to take, and my teachers seem great. While not being able to go to school isn't great, working from home and having a shorter schedule open up more chances for me to do things in and out of school, and I'm excited to see how I can take advantage of that opportunity.
Blog Entry #2 (9/21/20)
Capstone & College Applications
College Applications:
So far, I have written my personal statement, and set up my UC and Common App applications. I have started my UC PIQs, but I still have a long way to go. I am also still adding to my Naviance and brag sheet. I think advice that I wish I had earlier was to simply start earlier. For me, starting is the most difficult part of the process, and I think all people have something valuable to write about for their essays, so it's just a matter of making sure you put enough time and care into communicating who you are.
Capstone Project: This past week, we began to form groups for our capstone project. I've opted to focus on the issue of how blue light and light pollution negatively impacts our health by disrupting our sleep. It has been hard to find and communicate a group that has similar interests, which is perfectly understandable.
I foresee that there will be some communication issues due to the online format, as well as some difficulties with finally getting to a solution. We've learned that the engineering process can be very repetitive, as we continue to weight and consider new ideas, and run them through the engineering process. While this isn't necessarily an issue, it will most definitely be the biggest challenge.
Blog entry #3: My current state
(10/30/20)
My mental state is good. Although my life feels very repetitive and monotonous at the moment, I'm doing well and having a good time. There are certain things that aren't ideal in school, and I'm a bit behind on college apps, but I am not really stressed, and just focused on getting it done.
I relate to the image, as many things around me go wrong, I remain unfazed and apathetic. However, I am taking more action than the dog in the image, and I am starting to work on putting out the fire.
Blog entry #4
Applying to college: What you wish someone would have told you
The best piece of advice is to start early, but I think that explaining why people should start early is good. The entire admissions process is a bit complicated and has many intricacies. Starting early allows you to get a good sense of the process that cannot really be directly explained to you. Starting early also gives you enough time to search through all of your options for schools. Most importantly, essays like your personal statement require lots of introspection, and it can take a very long time to determine what you are going to write about.
In college, I am excited to have a sense of freedom, and I'm excited to be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about learning as I am.
Blog #5 1/26/21
Profit vs. Benefiting others
The way in which products which benefit others are brought about and the way that products made for profit are considerably different. Products made for profit require analysis of consumers, and a deep understanding of the market for certain products. On the other hand, products which benefit others start from someone who wants to help solve other peoples problems, so they may have a much clearer and direct vision for how to develop their project. However, these two things end up with similar solutions because they will both create items that people want to use, and products that people need to use.
This is supported by research which says that although people who set out with intentions to make profit have a different mindset, the process that they go through in developing a product leads to similar solutions as people who set out to help people. One main point where they diverge is in their funding. For non-profit ventures, people may donate or get funding from charities, but for for profit projects will require people to invest in the business.
https://www.mainstreethost.com/blog/for-profit-vs-nonprofit-business-marketing/
Blog #6 (#2) 3/6/21
Biggest Challenge: I think the biggest challenge has been maintaining motivation in an online format, as it is a lot harder and less exciting when doing work from home.
The thing that I am most proud of: I am most proud of really all the work that we have been able to do, including designing CAD files and connecting to well established mentors in the field.
My advice to people coming in to the Capstone project would be to mindful of their work, and stay engaged through the entire process.
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