A Mudd Senior’s Daily Schedule

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I’ve done some posts before about what my schedule looks like during different semesters. I’ve found that this year, as a senior, it looks pretty different than past semesters because of the number of classes (like my senior capstone project, clinic) that don’t really have as many set class times (clinic is just an hour each week). While my team has meetings, those are set by us, making my schedule much more flexible. Similarly, while I meet with a pair programming partner for the research lab I am in, those times are also not set like class times. So here’s an example Friday in the life of a Mudd senior!

Several concrete benches along a courtyard with windowed walls behind them.
Courtyard of McGregor, the computer science building and where my clinic team’s office is. This photo was taken while it was raining, an unusual event in southern California! Photo Credit: Malia Morgan

I don’t have anything scheduled until 11am (true most days of the week!), so I generally get up and grab coffee around 8, then work on some homework. Generally, at this point in the week, I’m working on the readings for my Monday Robot Ethics class. They are always interesting, but some rely heavily on philosophical concepts that I have to make sure I really understand. 

At 11, I have my clinic team’s weekly planning meeting. This is when we review the previous week, how much progress we made toward our goals, and set new ones for the next week. After that meeting, it’s a quick lunch and then off to an off-campus class. I think throughout eight semesters I’ve averaged one non-Mudd class a semester–this spring it is a history of the US presidency class at Pomona. It only meets once a week, but it is 1:15pm-4pm so I make sure to bring tea. 

Hand holding thermos with print "Harvey Mudd College Computer Science Clinic Program"
Me and my tea (in my clinic mug!) on my way to class. Photo Credit: Malia Morgan

After class, I head back to my team’s clinic office for one of our weekly coding meetings. Twice a week, we get together and work on the project in the same space–generally the five of us have split into two teams working on different things, so this is a chance for us to pair program. Friday is from 4:30pm-7:30pm, with an about hour long group dinner break in there somewhere.

After the clinic work session, I head back to Drinkward Dorm and meet with friends. Sometimes we’re working on extracurricular stuff for the Living Learning Community (like putting together a presentation or checking the budget), sometimes we just get together to watch a movie or a show! This time is a great chance for us to relax after a long week.

This blog was written by: Malia Morgan '23. Computer Science major. Springfield, Missouri