We've reached Week 3 of the Research Science Institute (RSI), and it's hard to believe we're already halfway through. Time has flown by quickly, and it's been a mix of exciting and challenging experiences.
Research is tough. This week, many of us faced difficulties in our projects. Whether it's unexpected results, tricky data analysis, or just feeling mentally exhausted, we've all hit some bumps. But these struggles are what help us learn and grow. Each problem we solve makes us better researchers :)
This week, we also had some great events. On Monday, Sharon Smoot from BWX Technologies gave an interesting talk about nuclear operations. Tuesday's College Night was really helpful for planning our future studies.
We also heard from Guanpeng Xu, an RSI alum who now works at Citadel Securities, sharing his experiences and advice. Dr. Alvin Kerber from Jane Street gave an inspiring and fun talk about quantitative research and finance.
The weekend was a nice change of pace. Saturday's Posterless Poster Session let us share our progress and get feedback without the pressure of a formal presentation. The talent show that night was a lot of fun, showing off everyone's unique skills. On Sunday, we took a trip to the Harbor Islands, which was a great way to relax and enjoy some time outdoors.
As we head into the second half of the program, things will get more intense, some are ready for it, some are not. With support from our mentors and each other, we can handle most challenges which come our way.