Questbridge, Robotics, and Car Crashes

Hello, Pedro here. It's hard to believe that it's been nearly a year since I heard about my MITES acceptance decision, and what an incredible amount of things have happened since then.

Looking back at this summer, a great memory for me was the day that we visited the Google office in Cambridge. Where else can you work, have free food, take a nap, and get your laundry done for free? I was like a kid at a candy store! That day I made it a goal to become a Googler for at least a short time in my life to experience it, and it was also the day that I decided to make computer science my perspective major.

Computer science, so sitting behind a computer screen all day is fun? Well, not quite. You see, I have this idea that computer science still has so many opportunities to change how we interact with one another and make our lives easier. For all I know, that could mean research at a university, making a start-up, or contribution to the work of the great companies out there (Apple, Google, Facebook... hire me!).

It seems like fate placed its invisible hand in my favor. I've always viewed MIT as my mecca of technological brilliance, but things took a different turn. I thought if I could make it to MIT, I could make it to the top in the computer world. I applied to Questbridge in hope of achieving this, and as I finally got the courage to check the decision status, I couldn't believe what I saw: "Congratulations, you've been matched with

STANFORD..."

WHAT THE...

It was a life changing moment, to say the least. Of course, I was stoked as could be, but there was a bitter sweet feeling in it. I didn't have to worry about which college to go to, how to pay, or anything like that. Now I was just worrying about not spending the next 4 years with all my MITES friends. Then the indecision came. Is this the right choice? Which program is the best? Who will I meet? Where's the best future? But then I looked into my circumstance a bit more. Stanford actually has the best CS program for what I want to do (artificial intelligence), the area is amazing, all the start-ups and the companies I want to work with are there, and the people I've met in my class so far are amazing people too. What was so surprising about it was that I always figures it must be MIT or bust, and it made me realize how close minded I've been. Just about any school has a lot of great things, and I needed to figure out where I had the best fit. The point is, always keep perspectives open! Sometimes what you're thinking won't be the best place even if it's great too. Palo Alto, here I come! So that's the update on my college status.

Now for robotics. My school is in its second year of having an FRC team, and I could not imagine how stressful it would be. Long hours every school day, no sleep, constantly going to Lowe's, and things always going wrong in the building process. It was an ideal example of Murphy's Law. I was stressed, probably more so than MITES. It felt like the weight of the world was on me, and I wasn't sure I'd make it rough the season with a robot built, but we managed...at a price.

Doctors sure are right when they say stress can take a toll. I couldn't focus in school, I kept forgetting the smallest things, I was irritable,  moody, you name it! The worst part was the distraction. For a moment I forgot that there were other things in life other than robotics. I kept thinking about the problems even as I was driving, and that's when I got into the wreck. Again, faith played its course. I don't know whether it was distraction, exhaustion, or just plain stupidity that caused me to rear end a preacher on Valentine's Day, but it sure made me ponder back at the fragile state of life.

I couldn't let myself be consumed by stress. I realized that I had to take control of my life, and if that meant accepting failure, then so be it. I stilled pressed on, and miraculously, the robot got done. Not as great as we planned, but the point is that it got done. I'm certain stress will come again in my life, but I have to learn how to deal with it, not by holding it in, but by doing little things like taking a small break, talking about it, getting more sleep, letting myself have some time with friends, etc. I know the MITES kids are notorious for never giving up, and although that's what makes us great, this is what makes us weak.

We sure have a difficult 4 years ahead of us: college, p-sets, projects, classes, living on our own, paying for things, possibly finding that significant other (THIRST), and then finally landing that perfect dream job. I'm sure we can all make it there, but if there's anything I want to leave is that we must realize that our dreams are in the future, and we still have to take care of ourselves in the present. I can just imagine all the possible rough days that will be head. Sometimes I'll just have to smile through it knowing that things will get better somehow. Just chill, keep focus, and stay happy. Easier said than done, right? This is something I really can't give up on. I know we can all ignite inspiration in each other to keep our heads up in the following years, and the network we've already made will be integral to our own success.

P.S. don't shake the baby.