A brief encounter with databases

This semester, we learned about spreadsheets and relational databases. The first we practiced on handling were spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are excel files with data that can be connected from one sheet to another. At the bottom of the sheets, more tabs can be made. On the new tab, information from the previous tabs can be recalled using specific prompts. The information on these sheets can be maneuvered and new information can be obtained from the info at hand. Some examples are obtaing the average from a dataset and finding which scores were the most popular on a test. Relational databases are a bit different. These are used strictly for recalling information from a spreadsheet and the information cannot be manipulated to give new stats. The only thing a person can manipulate is how the data is presented. This is also achieved through a set of commands, just like excel with spreadsheets. Also, we were able to manipulate spreadsheets with excel while relational databases required us to download a different software called DB Browser for SQLite.

For our database class project, we obtained an excel file that contained stats on various diseases. It contained information such as the amount of infected individuals and the total population count in the states during specific years. If we wanted to know how many cases of a particular disease took place during any given year, then it would take us a bit of time to find the information. Making relational databases helped us group and present the information in the ways we wanted them presented. Through the use of prompts, we were able to filter the information and have the system show us things such as the exact number of people infected in a specific year, in a certain year, with a specific disease such as measles.

While reflecting on these projects, a few lessons stood out to me. First for the relational database: the prompts we input on the first line of commands dictates the amount of columns that will be presented on the query. Another thing I learned was that this method is most like the method used by my previous employers when I would search up information that could not be changed by me. Although the system looked different, it was through very strict commands that customer information would be shown to me. I also noticed that the databases can be made by manipulating the information on spreadsheets. While reflecting on this process it seemed to me that when working on a system for an employer, programmers must input information on spreadsheets and manipulate it to cover any possible request. Then it is decided how to display the information with a relational database. With relational databases, unauthorized personnel won't be able to change the numbers. And only key personnel can have access to the spreadsheets.

Learning about databases has motivated me into enrolling into the biological data science masters' program. Although I have not enrolled at the moment, I did sign up for an introductory class for next semester. I was truly lost about where to go with my educational journey since medical school is not an option due to education costs and my responsibilities as a parent. But, this class has shown me that I can still do something I enjoy with my current degree path. The masters' program is available online or through evening classes so it would be easier for me to work a morning job and do my classwork in the evenings. . . I am so grateful for this opportunity to have dipped my feet into databases. Thank you, Professor Dietrich, for showing us the other side of research.

Persistence and vulnerability in Action

This semester and last have been particularly hard for me but I feel as if my life has become ten times more fulfilling and it pushes me to keep going forward. This previous fall, I started at ASU after slowly obtaining my associate's degree from Phoenix College. The workload has inscreased, along with a move, and many other life changes. I have been stuck on getting what I get and not throwing a fit. Asking professors for any kind of help has always felt like a hard thing to do. But lately, I have had to ask for help. The workload had gotten to me and I was turning in less than stellar work. I felt like a failure. I knew lots of people ask for extensions but I didn't want to lay my heart out to my professors. Last week, my lab partner and I had a hard time understanding the statistics side of our research. I had already accepted in my heart that we would get a really bad grade. She, on the other hand, immediately emailed the professor asking for an extension. I honestly thought we did not deserve the extension since we had all of spring break to work on the assignment, and we didn't. I had once reached out to her because I thought I might have Covid so I missed one lab. She emailed me back saying that if the test returned negative, she would not be able to excuse my absence and I would not be able to make up the lab. It was negative, so I lost 30 points. It was clear to me that she would not budge this time around either. To my surprise, the professor did allow us an extension and even got together with us to explain the results and to help us interpret them correctly. Vulnerability. Persistence. I have read countless books about asking others for help, heard the podcasts, preached it to everyone that needed to hear it.. yet, I didn't allow myself to be vulnerable and I had quit after one failure. I was so stuck on my box of perfection that I even thought I was not deserving of the opportunity. This week, I spoke with another professor about my less-than-stellar lab notebook. And, she gave me a second chance to improve my work! It's definitely not easy to ask for help. But I have to admit it, sometimes I do need help. And it is okay to not understand things the first time. Have a wonderful week everyone. If you want to grow, keep growing by stay vulnerable. Here's a cute picture of the wildlife I spotted during an ecology lab outing:

This Week...

This week, I have been working hard at settling into my new place. I just moved less than two weeks ago. And the highlight of my week was receiving my brand-new washer and dryer. My mom came and helped me to receive the delivery and informed me she would be moving closer to my new place in a couple of months. This was music to my ears as I could really use her help with the house and the kids. She loves cooking and that is something I have not been able to do much lately. Moving disrupted my schedule and it has been hard to do much of anything normal, like cooking. Also because of this move, I’m starting to think I really don’t need a television in my room. A bookshelf would probably get more use than a television. Not having a television in my room has also pushed me to read more. This past week, I have been trying to read the assigned book, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, even if it’s just five minutes a day before bed. It has been hard for me to read for longer than that because I am usually worn out by the end of the day, and I feel that this book deserves a fresh mind to truly understand the author and to absorb the material. I had previously seen the videos because of a different practical skills class from the past. And although I do see the value in the messages and remember those from time to time, the book has been the most valuable this past month. Whenever I do read it, it motivates me so much to be brave in my endeavors that I feel like staying up all night and launching a business. It’s rather hard to stop myself because there are things that I want to do and I know I can do them. With my skills and the motivation obtained from reading the book, it’s hard to remember I can do all things…but just not at the same time. It has been hard to pace myself but while pursuing a degree in STEM, patience and perseverance have been instrumental to staying in school. Have a wonderful week. And, thanks for reading.

Growth vs. Fixed Mindsets

Personally, I feel that I tend to have a growth mindset. But, every once in a while, the fixed mindset tends to creep in and tries to wreak havoc. Throughout my educational journey, my mind has learned to become more malleable and looks for ways to address issues that I encounter. For example, a few years ago, I greatly desired to go back to school but was working full time. I had also just had a baby and have two other older children at home. They needed me to take them to their after-school activities, feed them, and to make them dinner. I simply did not have the time. But, the desire to go to school was so great that I decided I would find a way, one way or another. Ultimately, I was able to transfer to a community college closer to my job and was able to attend one class during my lunch break two days a week. It might not seem like much, but that one class propelled me to eventually quit my job and attend school full-time. For months I was stuck on the fixed mindset that if it’s not easy, then I must not be able to do it. But when the desire to improve ourselves is so great, most everyone (I believe) will find a way to change that mindset and make their dreams come true. I believe we all have the ability to change our mindset when we truly desire it. Yes, we go thru life with some misconceptions and beliefs. But we have the ability to change and evolve.