DOUBLE MAJOR!!!

It's now official--I am a full-fledged Physics-Mathematics major! The whole thing took around two hours or so, mostly over the last two days. It actually started several weeks ago when I got the application, but really began when I filled it out yesterday (a fairly uneventful process of figuring out my plan for the rest of my time as an undergraduate), but the real test came yesterday. So, nervous as I ever had been about it all--after all, the application didn't make it sound very encouraging of taking a second major--I went in for my various interviews.

Interview number 1: I go into the the advisement center in the Eyring Science Center, take my form to the secretary in the advisement center, who then proceeds to point me to a door to the right. I go in, greetings are exchanged, and I take my seat. The interview begins quickly. "So you want to take a double major in Physics and Math?"
I nod.
"So why do you want to add Mathematics?"
"Well, I'm hoping to go into particle physics, and I've heard that takes quite a bit of math."
"Alright, well let me check this."
Several moments slowly pass by as the lady at the desk looks at the computer screen, then at the paper, then back, scrutinizing every bit.
"So why are you taking French? Are you planning on a French minor?"
She's noticed the four semesters of French classes I've written down. In my mind I know that it's not REALLY necessary, but it will help me fulfill a G.E. while I get to learn another language (learning Spanish just wasn't enough--rather, it made me want to learn more languages). "It's for a G.E. Well, and my sister went to France on her mission, which gives me that much more incentive to learn the language."
"I see. Now, there's a requirement for an additional six hours of math classes. Were you planning to take any classes over the summer?"
"Oh, I guess I'd missed that. But if I need to then I could certainly take some classes over the summer."
"Alright, I'll just write that in for you."
Another pause as she finally comes to a final conclusion.
"Well, I think I can sign this. Now you'll need to talk to the Chairs of the Physics Department and the Math Department, then come back here and I can take your form to the Dean of the college. Good luck."
"Thank you," I reply and head off, ready to talk to the Chair of the Physics Department.
Wandering upstairs leads me to the secretary's office. I recognize the secretary here from earlier in the semester. I introduce myself and explain that I'm trying to apply for a double major. She checks for the Chair for a few moments, but at last has to tell me to come back after 2:30. I smile politely and take my leave, heading for the Talmage Building.
A few minutes later I arrive at the offic where the receptionist and I have the conversation which is quickly becoming all-too-familiar. The Chair is there in the next room, but he's talking to a professor. After assuring me he should be just a few minutes I wait for twenty minutes or so until I finally am able to speak with the Chair.
Of course, the result here was certainly unexpected. Upon hearing of my request he takes the paper and remarks "Oh, we always sign these", he signs the paper, and I'm on my way.
So, a few hours later I'm back in the Eyring Science Center, this time waiting for the Chair to get back. As last time, I end up waiting nearly half an hour before he finally arrives. At last, though, I'm allowed in to go talk with the Chair.
"So why do you want to add a second major?"
As earlier, I reply by informing him of my ambitions to study particle physics.
"Yes, you'll want a lot of math for that one."
He looks over my application, taking note of my schedule for Fall 2010. "Oh, that's going to be a tough semester."
He continues to look over the paper for another few minutes until at last proclaiming that he feels good about signing it. "You'll definitely want a lot of math for particle physics," he adds before sending me on my way with just one signature left to go.
I hurry down to the first floor where I again meet with Darlene Willey to give her my almost-complete form. She quickly checks to see if the Dean is in, only to inform me that he won't be back until the following afternoon. Still, she takes my form, saying she'll send me an email when she finds out what the Dean says.
The next morning was, of course, spent with me wondering what the final result would be. I could no longer defend my case personally, but with three signatures on my application I was feeling fairly at ease. When the email finally came, however, I was still quite excited--Mathematics had officially been added to my major!

So there's the story. I hope it was at least vaguely interesting. If not, at the very least I enjoyed writing it, and now I'm quite excited about my upcoming college career. Though I had had thoughts of it before, my dream is now solidified as I prepare for the next three and a half years of school as a Physics and Mathematics Major.

~The L.o.t.S. Writer

Looking Forward to a Double Major (and Other Random Happenings)

Hey all! First off, sorry for the hiatus--midterms last week were pretty crazy, and when you add General Conference last weekend (okay, so I did get a little distracted beating Super Metroid for the first time, too...) I was really short on time for sitting down and writing a full blog entry. I'm back though now, and hopefully I won't be that busy (/distracted) again for a while.

So, aside from the distractions, things have been going fantastic since my last entry. To enumerate just a little bit on what's happened since last time briefly, my past week or so has included my 3rd anniversary since I started dating Julie, General Conference, and now figuring out a plan for the rest of my college career! I'll try to go through each one chronologically here.

So first off: anniversary. Julie and I had a wonderful time, spending most of the day together and sharing gifts. We had lots of fun having dinner together at Cafe Rio here in Provo, and of course we kept each other entertained. It really wasn't too much special, but the day was amazing all the same.

General Conference was also good--very uplifting as always. As usual, it was very nice to hear the Prophet speak to us, and the Spirit was strong as always. As I watched this weekend I got the impression that there was an increased emphasis on becoming better people all around, and it helped me to reflect on some of my own shortcomings and on things I could do to be a better person. It was also nice to hear some things that I felt good about, and really the Conference reminds me of a Book of Mormon scripture stating that the things of the Lord are hard for the wicked to bear, but are a delight for the righteous. I really feel I felt some of both--a bit of praised, mixed in with things to improve. Overall: brilliant.

And now last of all, I've finally come up with a plan for my undergraduate education. Most exciting of all of this was the discovery I made this morning that by adding a mathematics major (something I've thought of since coming to the Y) I would only be in school for a semester longer than if I just took a physics major. This is especially encouraging, since the paper I need to fill out to apply for a second major makes it sound a lot more plausible to get a double major if it only adds an extra semester. Considering that I'm looking to get a Ph.D. in Particle Physics, I figure the extra semester would prove very helpful, and just taking an extra semester to be able to say that I essentially got two B.S.'s couldn't hurt, right?

So there you have it. Until next time!

~The L.o.t.S. Writer

P.S. - Enjoy the Halloween colors!