It feels weird to be done with the project that consumed such a large part of my semester and now I have so much free time.
The teamwork aspect made the class very interesting. It added a new element to the mixture. Many of the things I learned regarding teamwork I learned the hard way but in the end it was beneficial. I learned to be much clearer and more precise in communication between teammates, you can’t assume anything. Also I learned that not always will the work be distributed equally, but in the end, the project has to get done. Sometimes the whole group wont be able to help on a project so those who can have to pick up the slack and hope that sometime the favor is returned.
The design aspect of ME250 definitely impact how we approached our robot. There is not much carry over from this class other than more design classes. It did give me an appreciation for the design process and the many ways to accomplish a task. I also feels like it gave me a solid base and I feel very confident as I move forward in my career in manufacturing classes here.
ME250 really impacted the way I now approach my homework. Prior to taking the class, I used to start my homework without much of a direction or plan. This is how I worked throughout the first half of the class. After only having a certain slot and limited opportunities to do the necessary work in the machine shop, my approach quickly changed. I realized I didn’t have time to get up there and then figure out what I had to do, I needed a plan prior to arriving. Once my approach changed, I began to do work with an efficiency I didn’t know I was capable of. It is a concept I have begun to transition into my other classes, now understanding what needs to be done and how I will do it prior to getting started on any project or assignment.
The class also gave a strong feeling of independence throughout manufacturing process and when the classes concluded, I felt much more accomplished than any other class I have ever taken. It was frustrating at times but in the end it was a very enjoyable class and I took a lot away from it.
A few aspects of the course became problematic. Several of the homework assignments tended to be excessively long and difficult, usually resulting in over-crowded office hours because the vast majority of the class didn’t get it. It was frustrating and had very little impact on the course and project. Also there was a lot of confusion regarding what made an acceptable FRDPARRC table and what didn’t. Exactly what was expected was not clear. It was common to talk with classmates and most everyone agreed that they were losing points and not exactly sure why. It would be beneficial in the future to see more examples of good tables, instead of just seeing the one example regarding the food repetitively.
I also could have improved my performance by approaching these by consulting office hours earlier. I just assumed eventually I could get a clear answer out of my GSI, but I could never fully understand what was expected. Also, we could have avoided a few problems by working to get ahead instead of only working to meet the next deadline. We didn’t really work toward the final project being complete, we only focused on what was due next and tried to complete that.
All in all, the class was very beneficial and gave me many skills and experiences that will impact the rest of my college career.
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