Quite frankly, one of the biggest reasons that motivated me to take this astronomy class is to satisfy my UC transfer GE classes in the physical science category. To me, astronomy seems to be a subject that is significantly easier to understand in comparison to other physical science classes such as geology or physics. Some people may say, aren’t you a STEM student hoping to start a career in data analytics? To that, I do have to say that I am. However, although I am theoretically a STEM student, I was never good at any science or math classes back in my grade school years. In fact, some of my best class naps took place in a geology and biology class. The only thing that I remember from that biology class was one of those frog dissection labs that gave me a month-long stomach upset.

Similarly, in that geology class, the only experience I could recall was sitting in class one day while the teacher showed us different layers of underground rocks. And frankly, I just sat there wondering why we have to learn about this since we would never be able to see it in person or improve our lives. One thing in particular, though, did spark my attention which was when the teacher told us that some of the rocks that we see might not have originated from volcanic or other geological activities. Instead, they could very well be, originally, from out of space when pieces of the meteors came crashing down to earth. And was one of the first encounters that I had, as far as academics is concerned with the field of astronomy.

Nevertheless, over the past couple of years of being out of academics and having a chance to experience society, I have developed a lot of different unique perceptions of the world and the things happening around us. Often through a philosophical lens. And this is the very reason why I would refer to myself more as a liberal arts student than a STEM student. My passion lies in philosophy, but this class may very well allow me to explore my passion further and get a chance to develop new world views through the spectacles of a telescope.