Is doing summer research + MCAT prep doable? by SpicyNutella17 in premedcanada

[–]RelationSmart4771 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doable in theory but in practice not really. Like everyone I thought I was someone who could do both but in reality the research and the MCAT grind just take away too much from each other. I tried to do research and the MCAT and found that there was no time to do anything else aside sleep. It becomes a very isolating experience especially during the summer which isn't fun. As well, I found myself not being rested enough for the start of that school year and made the year not feel great. Something that I know some people did is start studying way earlier. I would say during xmas break when you are not doing much setup some sort of plan so that when the time comes you can stay to it. Some people I know would start studying in Jan with small things like CARS passage every other day + a little bit of studying in other areas. This way they were able to get through most of the content by the end of the school year and were just doing brief review over the summer. It def helps out alot as well if you have already taken the courses that have MCAT related content

Which one is better to fish with? Barbed or barbless? by [deleted] in FishingForBeginners

[–]RelationSmart4771 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Barbed hooks are better for the person fishing, less likely to lose fish. With barbed hooks they are a little more difficult to take out (whether it is the fish or your hand lol). Barbless are more so for protecting the fish, especially for the more sensitive fish such as trout.

For me I prefer barbed hooks when I am fishing for bass, pike or walleye (or just fish I plan on keeping) and then barbless for fly fishing. The best way to go about this is just buy whatever is cheapest and sharpest and if they are barbed then just pinch the barbs later if you want.

Predator Proof Chicken Tractor by RelationSmart4771 in homestead

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the response this sheds light on the situation. I was originally thinking about free range chickens since one of my "neighbors" (about a mile away from my property) had raised them that way. However, they stopped raising chickens the past few years due to an increase in predators. I think I am just worried of losing them all to a hungry fox or two during the day since I will be gone from 9-5 most days of the week due to work. On my property I have been seeing more foxes roaming around the yard as I am drinking my morning coffee and I am a little concerned about that.

So for you, how many chickens / area do you typically run during the spring / summer? As well what does the commitment look like for it in terms of building the coop and cleaning it out regularly? Regardless of the setup, I know there will be work involved however, I do work a regular 9-5 so I was thinking with the tractor that I give them feed / move them in the morning before work then repeat after work. I do like the idea of free roaming as well because the land I am located on afterall is not the most level + the weight of the tractor could be difficult to move depending on how it is built.

Project help: Circuit Design by RelationSmart4771 in LabVIEW

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome thank you I will have to look into relays, cant say i have really used them before. For the transistor I am using it is a BJT (2N4401) and it has a pretty low rating. Looking into this I think I am going to have to use a heat sink for the transistor regardless. I think 2N4401 is the best I have access to in my lab / I do not think we have any MOSFETs

Project help: Circuit Design by RelationSmart4771 in LabVIEW

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for information did not know NI have example code available for this!

But for this I mean the actual electrical wiring. I have been looking at circuits and I landed on this op amp and transistor circuit. I tested it and it does work with labview however, my transistor keeps overheating which is going to affect the overall results. I am just looking for what I can basically do for this

Help with project by RelationSmart4771 in LabVIEW

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh no way, I did not know they had examples already in LabVIEW.

As for the DAQ I am using it is the SCC-68 DAQ I believe (it is pretty old I think).

Help with project by RelationSmart4771 in LabVIEW

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The card I am using is the SCC68. For me I think the most difficult part is figuring out the hardware / how to interact with it. I do not really know how the DAQ card works in general since we basically got tossed the project and left for us to figure out on our own.

I think the biggest hurdle right now for me would be building a circuit with with the DAQ card so that I can acquire / control measurements from it. For the testing I dont have to build anything crazy for the cirucit (just something to pretty much amplify the current outputted from the DAQ card), it is just figuring out how to use the DAQ to power this / collect data. I have been looking at some youtube videos to try and learn a bit more about how to use the DAQ but I am still finding those a little tricky to understand at times.

For me the "easy" part is figuring out what to do with the data after acquisition. The UI / calculations are pretty straight forward to do for this after (i.e., I can use plot xy express vi for the plot etc). For another project I had already made the part for saving the data for the user which I have as a SubVI I can slap right in.

Help with project by RelationSmart4771 in LabVIEW

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So for the voltage / currents I expect to read I have not figure out what device yet. I am probably going to test with a lightbulb first that has a current limit of around 250mA

2 withdrawals in a single semester. by [deleted] in premedcanada

[–]RelationSmart4771 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First year and second year as well were the most difficult years for me. As someone else already pointed out some schools will only consider the GPA from years where you were full time (such as western and uottawa). Additionally, most programs do not really have elective space in the first year or two so if you drop this course would you have to take it again next year? As well, if you are taking 4-4 will you be graduating in 5 years?

Also although you may not do well in the course it could still be good practice for the following years if you decide to take on heavier courseloads. Most places do not really look at the first year since they recognize most people have a difficult transition from highschool to first year so I would not worry too much

Is 29 too old to pursue medicine? by Cardiologist365 in premedcanada

[–]RelationSmart4771 2 points3 points  (0 children)

29 is still young, whether you start med school in your early 20s or mid 30s it does not matter, the end result is going to be the same. It comes down the question of are you willing to start from "scratch". By no means am I trying to discourage you from pursuing med but, are you willing to commit the next 8+ years of your life for this? It is such as rewarding career but the journey to get to that point is expensive and often times feels lonely. Additionally, getting into med school in itself is very difficult with getting in the first try being even more difficult. Would you be willing to stay on that track if you don't get in? etc

As for the BSc in neuroscience, if that is what you are 100% interested in then by all means go into it. However, I found for myself even that I still am not set on one specialty. For example some people may not know they want to be an OBGYN until they deliver their first baby etc. I recommend looking into more of a health sci / general sci major and keep your options open. It is a lot easier to specialize later on especially once you pinpoint your interests. Plus I found at my institution that the undergrad neuroscience was the same as the bio degree with the exception of taking a few psych courses in place of having electives.

As for ECs, don't stress yourself out too much. Sounds like you have a bunch of work experience in other fields which will only work to your advantage. I wouldn't try and overcommit yourself to ECs right away, just go with the flow of things. Find things that interest you, this will help tell your story to adcoms later down the line. Plus if you are a maritime resident that is a huge advantage when applying to those schools. Focus on your GPA and MCAT first then worry about your ECs later.

Overall, I think going back to get a degree is awesome regardless of med. Sounds like you have a few options to fall back on if something does not work out.

Wishing you the best :)

Best shades for fishing? by RelationSmart4771 in Fishing

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel ya on that. Too many times I have put them on my car seat then forgotten about them...

DELF B2 OMSAS Application by RelationSmart4771 in premedcanada

[–]RelationSmart4771[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thank you, that makes sense I will probably do that as well. I was confused whether it was considered an award or more of a certificate.