The First Semester Is Over!

Hi MSSS Aspirants!

The First Semester is over! How it passed away is still a mystery to be solved! The semester started on August 2011. I blinked for a second and the mid-semesters arrived in the next month, September. I again blinked another time and this time it was assignment time and another blink brought the end-semester exams in the month of October just after the festival of Diwali!!! The entire semester ended in 3 months!! What was that?

I know, firstly this question is to be asked to ourself, since all the schedules were pre-declared and there was a total transparency of the pattern and conduct. Secondly, it seems that for a better utilization of the course and preparation for the exam it is necessary to adopt the Tortoise's strategy! Slow and steady!

As this program is only for the working professionals and therefore it seems that the duration of the semesters have been kept short and sweet! So that, in the entire duration of the course, almost half of time, a student is involved in the academic activities. Needless to say that the program is very flexible and therefore the right to choose most of the semester subjects were in the hands of the student and that too before the MS course started. So a student can adjust the study time either by spreading it across the year or by going hand in hand with the Lectures held on-line.

For example for the second semester, the subjects for my candidature will be as below:

1. Software for Embedded Systems
2. Network Security
3. Advanced Operating Systems
4. Database Systems & Applications

So I am free to go ahead with the studies and research in this direction right from the time the first semester exams ended on 30th October 2011.

Awesome!!!

Best wishes for the results for the first semester and for the upcoming second semester!!

The Things To Take To The Exam-Center

Hi MSSS Aspirants,

Having given a mid-semester exam after a gap of 4.5 years, all the memories of the same given during the Engineering degree days came alive. Ah, what were those days!

Last weekend, the same time of writing this article we were giving the exams! A week has passed! 2 hectic days of giving the 4 mid-semester exams, 2 per day, forenoon and afternoon for 2 straight hours! Woah! All that said, enjoyed it!

Few observations were made and a few things which are a must to carry with you on these days are given below:

1. Books for the subjects, whose exams are on the same day:

This proves to be beneficial and also most of us bring them along since as this is an WILP, most of the aspirants of the same batch are oblivious to each others presence. So when they meet, they exchange valuable tips and topics. In the last moments before the exam, much can be learnt!

2. A spoon can save you a lot of trouble:

At most of the exam centres, which are the colleges in the same city, Lunch is served for the aspirants in the premises. Many a times the food is hot, and the spoons are absent and a great discomfort is felt in having the same at a time when the exam is in next few minutes. Carry personal spoons or a couple of disposable plastic spoons. Trust me, a spoon can save you a lot of trouble and time.

3. Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink:

The presence of potable water in a personal water bottle can increase your efficiency in the exam hall and will comfort you during writing those lengthy answers.

4. Chewing gum is a great stress buster:

Carry a strip of chewing gum, just in case, the things get tense and you need to vent it out.

5. Headphones and a music player:

Last 30 minutes before the exam starts and you need to concentrate but that person by your side is busy discussing matters with others. Who will save you? Yes, your music player and your headphones. They will insulate you from the noise from the surroundings.

6. Pens on which you can trust:

Guys, do not bring the new-new pens to the exam. It is a fact that a pen(a specific brand and model) which has been used before for sometime will help you write faster and with better grip.

7. A Scale can scale heights for you:

Bring a scale. It can do wonders for you! It can make the answer sheet beautiful and compensate for the dirt you have spread in it :) 

Best wishes for the Mains @29-30th October 2011.