EVERY Class I Took as a Stats Major

The journey begins with the narrator detailing their academic path at Penn State, starting from a diverse range of majors including nursing, MIS, math, actuarial science, and finally settling on statistics. The initial confusion and frequent major changes highlight the exploratory phase of the narrator's college life. The first semester's experience with mammalian anatomy steered the narrator away from nursing, while a strength training class and trigonometry set the stage for a future in a more analytical field. An anatomy class with cat dissections and a realization during a nursing seminar about the intense responsibilities of nursing professionals led to a decisive major switch. The varied start underscores the importance of exploration in finding one's true academic and career path.

The narrator's academic journey takes a turn as they switch to MIS, delving into more challenging courses like art history, speech, and macroeconomics. The transition from a nursing focus to a more math-intensive curriculum is marked by a shift to MIS, with the narrator finding art history unexpectedly engaging and the speech course a daunting yet essential skill. Calculus emerges as a pivotal subject, sparking an interest in math and indicating a potential path in a math-related field. Despite the initial struggle with computer science leading to a dropped class, the narrator's success in calculus solidifies their mathematical inclinations and sets the stage for further exploration in this area.

As the narrator continues their academic journey, a growing affinity for mathematics takes center stage. The exploration of linear algebra and matrices, despite its challenges, alongside a continued engagement with calculus, showcases a deepening commitment to the mathematical sciences. An introductory physics course complements the mathematical curriculum, offering a broader scientific perspective. The narrative also touches on the adjustment to online learning due to COVID-19, which presented additional challenges but also contributed to the narrator's evolving academic trajectory. The shift towards mathematics is further solidified by the realization that it aligns more closely with the narrator's interests and strengths, steering them away from MIS and towards a more math-centric academic path.

The narrative progresses as the narrator transitions to Penn State's main campus, embarking on new academic endeavors amidst the pandemic's peak. Courses in sustainable architecture and a second attempt at an introductory programming class, now in Python, mark this new chapter. The focus shifts towards more specialized areas of study, including statistical analysis and a unique, game-based astronomy class, highlighting a blend of traditional learning and innovative educational approaches. This period of academic exploration is characterized by a mix of successes and challenges, with the narrator continuing to refine their focus and adapt to the evolving educational landscape.

As the narrator delves into advanced statistics courses, a clear passion for the field begins to emerge. Courses in statistical analysis and sampling, alongside projects that mirror real-world applications, provide a deeper understanding of the discipline and its practical implications. The narrator's engagement with these subjects reveals a growing interest in using statistical methods to address complex problems, pointing towards a future career in the field. This phase of the academic journey is marked by a transition from exploration to specialization, with the narrator gaining confidence in their chosen path and acquiring skills that will be instrumental in their professional life.

In the final stages of their academic journey, the narrator tackles a mix of technical and application-focused courses, from data science to technical writing. The emphasis is on acquiring skills that will be directly applicable in a data science career, such as proficiency in R, understanding stochastic models, and mastering time series analysis. The introduction to SAS, despite its perceived outdatedness, and a capstone statistics project, offer practical insights into real-world data analysis challenges. The semester also includes a unique communications class that explores technology's role in society, adding another dimension to the narrator's skill set. This period is characterized by a focus on rounding out the narrator's education with both technical prowess and a broader understanding of technology's societal impacts.

The narrator reflects on the completion of their statistics degree, acknowledging the extra semester necessitated by the initial foray into nursing. The final semester is a mix of wrapping up major requirements with a statistics capstone and diversifying with a communications class focused on social media and web design. The requirement of an additional physical education class adds a lighter note to the conclusion of an intense academic journey. The reflection underscores the growth, challenges, and varied experiences that have shaped the narrator's path, culminating in a degree that blends technical statistical knowledge with practical skills relevant to the modern workforce.