The Fall Semester That Was (and a Christmas Wink) 2024
It’s the end of the Fall Semester 2024, and let me tell you,
it’s been a wild ride. The festive buzz of Christmas is already in the air, and
though I should probably be out getting groceries (and braving the -9°C
temperatures), I decided instead to take a moment and reflect on what’s been
one of the most eventful semesters of my academic journey. Why? Because I’m
still cozying up under blankets and avoiding the grocery store like it’s an
exam I forgot to study for .
This semester, I enrolled in some pretty heavy-hitting
courses. We’re talking:
- Business
and ICT
- Wireless
Technology
- Network
Design and Testing
- Computer
Forensics
- Data
Center
- IT
Project Management
- Voice
and Video over IP
It’s been an academic roller coaster, with highs, lows, and
a few moments when I seriously questioned whether I could remember what FCAPS
stands for (Spoiler: It’s fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and
security, and yes, I do remember now, thank you very much).
The Team that Got Me Through
One thing I’ve realized this semester is the power of having
a squad who’s as invested in your success as you are. It’s not just about
surviving the semester, it’s about thriving with the right people. Friends who
push you to do better, and cheer you on when your project hits the deadlines.
They’re like the caffeine to your early morning study sessions, and we all know
how vital that is.
Wireless Technology, though… phew. Let me tell
you, this course had me questioning my own sanity a few times. Fourier Analysis
Theorem? Antenna power gain and losses? A site survey that didn’t involve just
finding a good spot to sit in a café? Yeah, that class was a challenge, but
also a ton of fun. I mean, who doesn’t love trying to understand the
complexities of signal processing while simultaneously wondering if you’ll ever
understand what’s going on in your Wi-Fi router settings?
Network Design & Testing: The Real MVP
Now, Network Design and Testing? That was my jam. Huge
shout-out to Prof. Muhammed Khan, who singlehandedly made what could’ve been an
incredibly dry class into an engaging and enlightening experience. His decades
of real-world experience made it feel like we were not just learning theory,
but stepping into a real networking job. Our project wasn’t just a “create a
theoretical network” — no, we had to define business and technical requirements
while juggling the constraints of budget, timeline, and seamless integration.
It was like trying to make the perfect sandwich, but with IP addresses,
firewalls, and VPN tunnels.
I even had the pleasure of setting up H.323 signaling with
ISDN or SIP trunk. Does that sound complicated? Absolutely. Was it fun? 100%.
Huge shout-out to my team, who were solution-oriented and never gave up on
figuring out that one issue with the ds1 001v3 board all the time. “Big up
yourselves, team!”
Computer Forensics: The Detective Mode
Switching gears to Computer Forensics… wow, what
a class. I got to live my best detective life learning tools like FTK, Autopsy,
and WinHex. I felt like a cybersecurity Sherlock Holmes, but with more screen
time and fewer deerstalker hats. But seriously, uncovering the truth behind
digital evidence? It’s as thrilling as it sounds.
The Semester That Went By Too Fast
It’s crazy how fast the semester flew by. It was
challenging, overwhelming, and at times downright exhausting — but also
incredibly rewarding. Looking back, I’ve learned things I never thought were
possible. Like how to set up an entire network and how to avoid panicking when
the project’s deadline is a mere 48 hours away (spoiler alert: I didn’t always avoid
panicking).
And guess what? I’m even working on a software project now —
because who wouldn’t want to dive into code while the world prepares for
Christmas? Oh, and I’m also writing a book for my fellow tech geeks. Yes, you
heard that right. It’s all in good fun, and you’ll hear more about it when it’s
ready. If you can’t wait… well, you’ll have to sit tight.
Fears and New Friends
One thing that’s been lingering in the back of my mind is
the fear I’ve sensed in some of my classmates as we approach the end of our
programs. We’ve learned so much, faced challenges, and come up with creative
solutions for real-world problems — but there’s this fear. What happens after
graduation? Will all this knowledge be relevant in the job market? Do we know
enough?
That’s where the career services department at my
institution comes in, giving us a glimpse of the future by bringing in
companies to share insights about trending technologies and career paths. And
let’s not forget the amazing work being done by the Toronto Business
Development Centre (@TBDC), which is supporting Ontario’s economic recovery
with bright, skilled talents in tech and trades.
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