A Full Day as a Harvard Physics Student

Quantum Boy

12 Nov 202209:42

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe narrator describes their morning routine, preparing to go to Harvard campus, including making breakfast, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. They mention their cardio workouts and packing for the day. Upon arrival, they navigate through Harvard, sharing insights on historic spots and buildings. Their day involves studying in a quiet library, teaching a class on Faraday's law, and having lunch. Post-lunch, they work on a research presentation and revise a colleague's paper. The day ends with a visit to the bookstore for inspiration on writing a children's book, inspired by an amusing story they find.

Takeaways

👖 The narrator has recently lost weight and now wears a belt to keep their pants up, reflecting a change in lifestyle and fitness.
🍹 They have a routine of making a smoothie for breakfast, emphasizing the importance of a healthy start to the day.
⏱ The narrator times themselves making breakfast, aiming to finish at least half an hour after waking up, showing a disciplined approach to daily routines.
🦷 They use an electric toothbrush for exactly two minutes, highlighting a meticulous attention to dental hygiene.
💼 The narrator packs an iPad, laptop, and headphones for work, but notes the headphones are not working well, indicating a need for maintenance or replacement.
🌳 The script describes a picturesque walk to the narrator's workplace, with historical and natural landmarks, adding a sense of ambiance and context.
🏫 The narrator visits a historic library on campus, showing appreciation for the environment and its impact on their focus and productivity.
📚 They read an influential paper and revise a job application for a colleague, demonstrating academic engagement and a supportive professional relationship.
👨‍🏫 The narrator fills in for a teaching assistant role, expressing a growing fondness for teaching and interaction with students.
🍽 For lunch, they opt for healthier food choices, like Ramen, instead of burgers, reflecting a conscious effort to maintain a healthy diet.
📝 The narrator is involved in revising a research paper and preparing a presentation, indicating an active role in academic research and communication.
🎨 They express an interest in writing a children's book, showing creativity and a desire to inspire young readers.

Q & A

Why does the speaker wear a belt now?
-The speaker wears a belt now because they have lost weight from doing a lot of cardio and their waist size has gone down from 30 to 28, so they need a belt to keep their pants up.
What is the speaker's usual morning routine?
-The speaker's usual morning routine includes going to the gym, making breakfast, timing themselves while preparing it, brushing their teeth with an electric toothbrush, and getting dressed.
Why does the speaker enjoy empty libraries?
-The speaker enjoys empty libraries because they find them quiet and peaceful, which helps them focus. They also appreciate the historic atmosphere of the library they visit.
What research topic is the speaker working on?
-The speaker is working on research involving random matrix product states, studying the special properties of these states and explaining them in a presentation.
What tradition does the physics department have annually?
-The physics department has an annual tradition called the 'pumpkin drop,' where they throw pumpkins out of a window to demonstrate the law of gravity.
Why did the speaker stop eating at Tasty Burger?
-The speaker stopped eating at Tasty Burger because they gained a lot of weight from eating there frequently. After starting to cook and exercise regularly, they lost 30 pounds and decided to avoid Tasty Burger.
What motivates the speaker to visit the bookstore?
-The speaker is interested in writing a children's book and visits the bookstore to get ideas and see drawings in children's books, as they have never drawn cartoons before.
What is the premise of the children's book the speaker is considering writing?
-The children's book the speaker is considering writing is about a kid who likes to race but isn't very fast. The story would involve the kid training to become the fastest.
What notable historical sites does the speaker mention in their surroundings?
-The speaker mentions living next to an old cemetery where the third president of Harvard and a president of the United States are buried, as well as seeing John Hancock's grave daily.
Why does the speaker want to plant an oak tree in their front yard?
-The speaker wants to plant an oak tree in their front yard because they like the idea of the tree growing up alongside their future children and being large when they are old.

Outlines

00:00

👖 Morning Routine and Campus Visit

The script begins with the narrator getting ready for a day on campus, noting a recent change in waist size due to cardio and the need for a belt. Skipping the gym for a campus visit, the narrator makes a smoothie, brushes teeth with an electric toothbrush, styles hair with pomade, and packs an iPad, laptop, and malfunctioning headphones. A cold day calls for a sweater, and the journey to campus includes passing a historic cemetery and arriving at Harvard Square. The narrator walks through a favorite gate, admires the fall scenery, and visits the library, which was built in honor of a Titanic victim. The day's activities include reading an influential paper, revising a job application, and substituting for a teaching fellow, covering Faraday's law.

05:01

🍔 Lunchtime Reflections and Academic Work

After a small teaching section, the narrator heads to Harvard Square for lunch, opting for ramen instead of the previously indulgent tasty burger due to a recent weight loss journey. Enjoying the outdoors, the narrator observes chess hustlers and returns to campus, contemplating planting an oak tree and watching future lawyers on the law school lawn. The afternoon is spent revising a research paper on random matrix product states and preparing for a research presentation, which involves explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner. The day concludes with a tradition of the physics department—a pumpkin drop to verify gravity—and a visit to the bookstore for inspiration on writing a children's book, with a focus on humor and creativity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡campus

The term 'campus' refers to the grounds and buildings of a university or college. In the script, the protagonist describes their daily routine on the Harvard campus, including specific locations like the physics building and the library, which are integral parts of their academic life.

💡cardio

Cardio, short for cardiovascular exercise, involves activities that raise your heart rate. The protagonist mentions doing so much cardio that they reduced their waist size from 30 to 28, highlighting the impact of physical exercise on their body.

💡electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is a device for cleaning teeth using automatic bristle movements. The protagonist appreciates their electric toothbrush for its ability to time brushing to exactly two minutes, demonstrating their attention to personal hygiene.

💡Pomade

Pomade is a hair styling product that provides a slick and shiny appearance. The protagonist uses it to manage their hair, which has grown long, indicating a routine part of their grooming process.

💡noise-canceling headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are designed to reduce unwanted ambient sounds using active noise control. Although the protagonist mentions that their headphones do not work well anymore, they still find them convenient for blocking out noise.

💡Harvard Square

Harvard Square is a historic area near Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is mentioned as a familiar place for the protagonist, signifying their daily connection with the university and its surroundings.

💡library

A library is a collection of books and other informational materials. The protagonist enjoys visiting the historic library at Harvard, built in honor of a Titanic victim, and appreciates the quiet environment for reading and studying.

💡Faraday's law

Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction states that a change in magnetic field can induce an electric current. The protagonist teaches this concept during a section, indicating their role in educating others about fundamental physics principles.

💡Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish. The protagonist chooses to eat ramen for lunch at a restaurant called Santoka, illustrating their meal preferences and highlighting a cultural aspect of their daily life.

💡research

Research refers to the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. The protagonist's research involves studying processes related to matrices and coloring dots, which they prepare to present in an accessible manner.

Highlights

The narrator has transitioned from a size 30 waist to a size 28 due to increased cardio.

The importance of timing breakfast to allow at least half an hour after waking up is emphasized.

Using an electric toothbrush for exactly two minutes for optimal dental hygiene.

The narrator's preference for wearing pomade as hair gets longer.

The convenience of noise-canceling headphones despite their reduced functionality.

The unique experience of living next to a historic cemetery with notable figures buried there.

A daily routine of walking through Harvard gates and the sense of home it provides.

The narrator's fondness for fall and the scenic route to the physics building.

The historic library built in honor of a Titanic victim and his book donation to Harvard.

The narrator's preference for empty libraries and the focus the environment provides.

Reading a famous paper on information spread by a physicist with an FBI record.

Revising a job application for a collaborator, emphasizing the importance of grammar.

The enjoyment of teaching and the humor found in student interactions.

Covering Faraday's law in a small section, promoting individual student engagement.

A shift from eating fast food to cooking daily as part of a health transformation.

The enjoyment of eating outdoors and observing chess hustlers at the Smith Center.

The desire to plant an oak tree and watch it grow with future children.

Observations of law school students and faculty, inspiring future aspirations.

Revising a paper on random matrix product states and their special properties.

Preparing a presentation on research involving the movement and coloring of matrix dots.

Participation in the annual physics department pumpkin drop to verify gravity.

The idea of writing a children's book inspired by personal experiences and observations.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

Why does the speaker wear a belt now?

What is the speaker's usual morning routine?

Why does the speaker enjoy empty libraries?

What research topic is the speaker working on?

What tradition does the physics department have annually?

Why did the speaker stop eating at Tasty Burger?

What motivates the speaker to visit the bookstore?

What is the premise of the children's book the speaker is considering writing?

What notable historical sites does the speaker mention in their surroundings?

Why does the speaker want to plant an oak tree in their front yard?