Japan Blog
Procrastinating!! ~ Connor Perrin
27th October 2018, 12:40 pmInstead of revising for a test I have in two weeks, I've decided to post some stuff to the website...
So what's been happening since I last posted something to the website, just over 5 months ago lol. Well I spent the entirety of the summer playing golf awaiting Wennie Dennie's return from China. After she returned it was time to search for houses, which was the most stressful September I've ever had. First we decided to live in Reading but due to the expense of travel we decided to live in Newbury, but then due to my god awful timetable, we decided to live in Bath (Much to my disapproval). So now we're in the beautiful city of Bath.
It's been nearly a month since we moved to Bath and so far the course seems to be running smoothly with the exception of two of my modules, Autonomous Systems Engineering and Statistics, both of which are taking up the majority of my time. However I've been working hard (expect for right now of course) and I seem to be getting the hang of statistics, however only time will tell as I've got a test on the 9th of November.
Right, as it's the weekend, Louise and I are going to go out for lunch and then off to a stationary shop as Louise is addicted to buying stationary.
And That Marks the End of my Undergraduate Education! ~ Connor Perrin
26th May 2018, 8:25 pmSeems like only yesterday we started our final year of undergraduate education and now we’re all finished… scary stuff
Anyway, now all our exams are finished I’ve decided to mess around with the website again. I’ve got lots of videos to edit and pictures to upload so “stay tuned”.
So what have we been up to?
Well honestly, not an awful lot, we’ve been one on two big adventures (Venice and Bruges) but other than that, not a lot. We haven’t done anywhere near as much as we did in Japan, but in all fairness this is our final year.
So how did my final year go?
Well after taking on average 10 modules a semester at Waseda, I thought this year would be a breeze, now it was easier than my second semester but it wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. My goal for this academic year was to achieve an average of 83% over my five modules, meaning I would have achieved an 80% degree (bearing in mind 70% is equal to a first or A* if you like).
Now after my first semester I was on track averaging exactly 83%
| Subject | Result |
|---|---|
| Advanced C++ Programming | 89% |
| Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering | 76% |
Now I can’t say for sure what my second semester marks will be as my results haven’t been released yet. But with my predictions, I’d say I’ve fallen short of my goal, mainly due to one of my exams and the realisation that there’s no way in hell my lecturers would hand out an 83% mark for my project.
So here’s my prediction for my second semester
| Subject | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Big Data and Predictive Analytics | 84% |
| Analysis and Design of Algorithms | 72% |
| Third Year Project | 74% |
Which means I’d average 78% for the second semester, which is short of my goal of 83%, but still means I achieved a first class degree, which is the main goal at the end of the day :D
Right, the footage from the GoPro has finally downloaded (26gb lol), so I’m going to start editing a video. Hopefully I’ll upload it by the end of the day but not sure how long it’ll take me as it’ll be the first video I’ve edited in over a year
Results for semester two have arrived!! ~ Connor Perrin
11th September 2017, 10:57 pmThis will be my last post on the “Japan Blog” section but don’t worry, I plan to create a “UK Blog” section, so you’ll still be able to see what we’re up to :)
Waseda Second Semester Results:
| Subject | Last prediction | New prediction | Actually results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Network Communications | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| Image Engineering | A | C/B | B |
| Operating Systems | A | A | A |
| Algorithms and Data Structures | A | B | C |
| Image Processing | C | C | A+ |
| Computer Systems | C | A | A |
| Data Mining | A/A+ | B/A (Wasn't very well) | A+ |
| Kanji | B | B | A |
This gives me a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.00
In terms of the results, I’m actually surprised just how well I did. The funny one is Algorithms and Data Structures as that was actually my favourite module :D The exam just didn’t sit well with me but we can’t get A’s in everything can we.
Now if we compare this to the first semester:
First Semester
| Subject | Result |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Logic | A+ |
| Digital System Design | A+ |
| Advanced Intelligent Software | A+ |
| Perceptual Computing | A+ |
| Wireless Communications Network | A+ |
| Logic Circuits | A+ |
| Kanji | A+ |
| Information Retrieval | A |
| Japanese Through Life | A |
GPA = 3.81
Second Semester
| Subject | Result |
|---|---|
| Wireless Network Communications | A+ |
| Image Processing | A+ |
| Data Mining | A+ |
| Operating Systems | A |
| Computer Systems | A |
| Kanji | A |
| Image Engineering | B |
| Algorithms and Data Structures | C |
GPA = 3.00
This means my GPA for my year in Japan is: 3.42
It has occurred to me that I never uploaded any pictures from China or my last days in Japan, so I plan to upload some pictures here and there before I swap over to the UK section of the website.
In nine days I’ll be picking up Louise from the airport, can’t wait to see her, feels like it’s been years since I’ve seen her, hopefully the new house will be ready for her arrival.
Fireworks, mosquitoes and grade predictions ~ Connor Perrin
29th July 2017, 2:04 pmSo far all I've done is watch films and relax... and it feels GREAT!
Last night something horrible happened :( Both Louise and I were attacked by mosquitoes, I was bitten at least ten times and same for Louise, very very very annoying :(
After chatting to Mum the other day, I've decided to update my grade predictions now I've actually taken the tests, sadly most of my predictions have gone down, but it'll be interesting to compare when I get my results.
| Subject | Last prediction | New prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Network Communications | A+ | A+ |
| Image Engineering | A | C/B |
| Operating Systems | A | A |
| Algorithms and Data Structures | A | B |
| Image Processing | C | C |
| Computer Systems | C | A |
| Data Mining | A/A+ | B/A (Wasn't very well) |
| Kanji | B | B |
Oh and tonight we're off to see the largest firework festival in Japan, approximately 20,000 fireworks with around 1 million people in attendance. We plan to leave an hour or two before in order to get into a good position.
My Waseda adventure has come to an end ~ Connor Perrin
27th July 2017, 11:10 pmThis will be a very quick blog post as I am very tired and in need of some well deserved sleep.
Today was my last lecture at Waseda University, it's all over. Louise came to pick me up, which was very nice. I then asked Louise to take lots of pictures of me on campus :D
We then went home and watched two films in a row, we haven't done that once in Japan, or ever for that matter lol. (Inception and The Shawshank Redemption in case you were wondering)
Right, we're going to watch another episode of The Great British Bake Off in bed and then SLEEEEEP.
Thanks to the whole family for letting me go to Japan and experience this wonderful adventure and thank you to all who helped me with my modules and revision throughout the year.
Love to all, not long now until your favourite child/grandchild will be back in your loving arms
Three exams left! ~ Connor Perrin
24th July 2017, 11:29 pmToday I had two exams, one was for Image Engineering and the other was my Operating Systems second chance. Lets talk about Image Engineering first.
So for the first exam I could bring a 'cheat sheet' with me as we couldn't possibly remember 15+ algorithms and how to use them. After looking through them, I decided that two of them were just too hard and come on, what are the odds of these two questions coming up in the exam? So the exam consisted of six questions... two of which were the questions I hadn't revised... bloody typical.
The second exam was interesting, I think I'm not alone when thinking that a resit exam won't have much in common with the original, well this exam was exactly the same as the original, word for word, even the typo was there, the only thing that was different was the date. How very odd. (And yes, I can still get full marks, it's not caped).
Taking a step back a few days, Friday was Louise's last day at work. I decided to surprise her with flowers and a cuddly toy. She was very happy :)
Anyway, the following Saturday, Louise decided to catch up on some well deserved sleep and I couldn't help but take a few pictures of her cuddling her new toy. (See blog picture for an example)
Paul and Sarah (Friends of Andrews) are coming to Tokyo soon and we'll be meeting up for a meal. Just found out that their vegans, I'm not exactly sure what a vegan can and can't eat, so I asked Louise
Me: "Lousie, what can a vegan eat?"
Louise: "Vegans can't eat anything..."
Louise was actually pausing to think about it, but I just loved how it sounded :D
Anyway, I need to revise for my Algorithms and Data Structures exam tomorrow, should mention, I only just started revising for it...
One Week Left! ~ Connor Perrin
20th July 2017, 10:20 pmWould you believe that exactly one week today, my university life at Waseda would have come to end… scary to think it’s already been a year… “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it”
Just thought I’d give you all a quick update of life in Japan. So far I’ve had 4-5 exams, all of gone okay so far, I’ve got a kanji test of which I should be revising for now but I thought I’d make a quick blog post.
Oh and tomorrow is Louise’s last day at work, she’s very happy :D
Went to the office today to ask for a transcript, the guy there was really nice and said I should also request all these other documents like ‘letter of graduation’ and why not. I asked “Would it be possible to have it in Japanese as well?”, he asked me why and I said “Because it looks cool”, not sure that was the right answer but he laughed. Damn things gonna cost me around £35 in posting and handling charges, but I think it’s worth it.
In case you’re wondering, here’s my prediction for the modules this year.
Wireless Network Communication: A*
Image Engineering: A
OS: A
Algorithms and Data Structures: A (Maybe A* depending on how hard the test is lol)
Image Processing: C (Royally messed up the first test, very hard to get a good grade now)
Computer Systems: C (Would love to get a B though)
Data Mining: A (Maybe A*, hard to say)
Kanji: B (Should be an A but the teacher is having an affair with the devil)
Not as good as the first semester but it’s not bad, I would workout the GPA but I’m too tired and should get back to revision.
Night all
Exam month has begun ~ Connor Perrin
5th July 2017, 8:21 pmLong time no blog.
Where to start... on the 3rd of July I had my N4 JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), the fourth hardest Japanese test, so that was fun, oh did I mention it was four and a half hours long? No? whoops, that must have slipped my mind, it was FOUR AND A HALF HOURS LONG! Luckily we had two 30 minute breaks, so not that bad I guess.
I've made a list containing all my exams, report and presentation dates, so sadly nothing to talk about other than revision revision revision :(
The Dates
N4: 02/07/17
Operating System Report: 03/07/17
Kanji Presenation: 14/07/17
Image Engineering Presentation: 17/07/17
Operating System Exam: 17/07/17
Image Processing Exam: 19/07/17
Kanji Exam: 21/07/17
Wireless Network Communication Report: 21/07/17
Image Engineering Exam: 24/07/17
Operating Systems Exam (take 2): 24/07/17
Algorithm and Data Structures: 25/07/17
Computer Systems Exam: 26/07/17
Data Mining Presentation: 27/07/17
And it's not just me who has exams, Louise has an English Exam this Saturday, but I don't thinks she too worried considering her english is better than mine, but in all fairness, that's not hard to beat :D
Oh and you be pleased to hear that Louise has just finished learning a new piano song, so HOPEFULLY expect a new video this Sunday (won't be edited as we don't have the time)
P.S. Picture is from May during our Japanniversary.
Master Procrastinator! ~ Connor Perrin
23rd June 2017, 3:45 pmAfter todays Kanji class, I've found it incredibly hard to find the motivation to do any work, annoying considering the amount of work I actually need to do :D
I did actually complete my Operating Systems homework which is due in on the 3rd, so that's a nice weight off my shoulder, just need Boris or Louise to proof read it for me.
I know I said I was going to give a full update on everything I've been doing but I know if I spend all the time writing a nice blog post I'll regret not actually doing any work, so I think I'm going to write yet another short blog and attempt to do some Japanese revision for my N4 test.
N4 mock examination ~ Connor Perrin
18th June 2017, 10:31 pmAbout 5 days ago, Louise said "Oh yeah, you have your N4 mock exam this Sunday" and before you ask, no, no I was not ready and by "was" I mean "Still not" :D
So I spent the last 5 days trying to learn 1,200 news words... I got to 200. So the test today was about 3 hours with breaks, it went okay I think, I'm not sure if it's a pass or not, but who knows.
This is a quick blog entry as I'm trying to get back in the blogging mood. I'll give you a full update on what we've been doing for the last month tomorrow. Nighty night all.
Oh and the blog picture is atop Mt. Mitake, a whopping 830m, our next goal is to break 1,000m