How do I get through this?

EmotoBot Work!

Reflection

Reflecting on the week before starting this workshop, I had this belief that I could create a bot capable of expressing emotions. Initially, the idea of building it from scratch (assembly and programming) filled me with doubt, especially with all the other projects piling up in class, specifically the part where we had to concurrently work on the group project to individual projects. With only two class periods allocated, the pressure that I felt was overwhelming. However, Rachel, the professional staff at Fimbel, provided us with handbooks that made everything far smoother and more manageable than I anticipated. 

The guidebooks handed out that showed us how to assemble everything were extremely helpful. Without them, I'd have been utterly lost. The stress I felt during the process made practicing emotional intelligence challenging. Surprisingly, building the EmotoBot itself was less complicated than I expected, and we finished assembling it in less than 30 minutes of class time. Fortunately, I was paired with a partner skilled in programming and using the software, and their guidance was extremely helpful whenever we encountered bugs. Active listening and cognitive flexibility played a huge part; I absorbed and considered advice from my teammate and the professor, successfully programming the robot to dance and display various LED faces. 

If I could speak to my past self, I'd say, "Congratulations, you made it through the final activity despite your anxieties." I was extremely worried about the workload and the lack of time for any project work during class. I'd reassure myself that despite the workload, I managed to dedicate time and effort to all my projects, overcoming setbacks and challenges along the way. I'm proud of how I maintained an open mindset, stepped out of my comfort zone, and took on leadership roles, even in unfamiliar situations like navigating the Fimbel space and seeking help. Looking back, I realize that each obstacle presented an opportunity for growth and learning. Additionally, collaborating with classmates during the workshops/projects not only enhanced my technical skills but also fostered a sense of teamwork. These experiences have shaped me into a more resilient and adaptable individual, ready to tackle any future challenges (whether technical or personal) with confidence and determination.