Hey there, I'm Tal! Welcome to CSE 154

I am a Big Fan of This Class!

Welcome to CSE 154! I am excited for this quarter and hope you are excited about taking this class. 154 has been one of the most rewarding classes I having taken at UW thus far. The material we cover will not only introduce you to a variety of new programming languages, but will also emphasize the similarities and connections between them. Beyond this, you will also gain new strategies for effectively learning new languages which is a skill you can then apply to your future computer science endeavors, both in and outside of a classroom setting.

I encourage you to have fun with this class. These next 10 weeks will undoubtedly be stressful but keep in mind that this class allows and encourages creative freedom. Take advanatage of this by investing quality time into the work you complete. I will do my absolute best to support you with any help you need so feel free to reach out regardless of whether you are in my section or not.

About Me

more about who I am

I am a 2nd year student here at UW pursuing computer science
I took this class fall quarter of this year and had a great experience which is what made me want to be a TA
I moved to the United States when I was two, lived in Oregon through my junior year of high school and then moved to Washington
I have been in a research lab for almost two years and have gotten the opportunity to combine my interest in neuroscience with my passion for CS

things I enjoy

Puns! they make everything better
Puzzles and card games. Over spring break I had time to build a 2000 piece puzzle with my brother
True-crime podcasts.
Dogs and puppies!! (clearly)
Turning in a completed cs assignment- truly a weight lifted off my shoulders

things I dislike

Bugs (in my code and the real ones too)
When people litter
People who belittle others

Tips and Tricks for Success

General:

Go to lecture, quiz section and lab. Exposure to the material will only benefit you!
Come to the WPL! I spent lots of time in there getting support on the hw, but also getting clarification on the lecture, section and lab material.
Ask questions! Lots of them!
Don't be okay with staying stuck, email me, go to office hours, talk to a TA before/after lecture, go to the WPL, use Piazza. The possibilities are endless!
The Chrome Inspector tool is your best friend in this class! Found most of my bugs with the help of its many features

Assignments:

Read the spec before starting!!! They are super detailed. Take the time and save yourself the lost points by following the instructions.
"Due tomorrow, do tomorrow" is not the way to go in this class. Start earlier than you think you'll need to. The assignments are challenging and you'll be able to think more clearly without time as a stressor.
Take advantage of the CPs. You're getting free code reviews and building a portfolio at the same time!

Exams:

Start studying early. This class covers tons of information and that's hard to cram in one night.
When you're studying, actually write the code instead of typing it. It feels weird but it's good to simulate the testing enviornment.
Time yourself! Be aware of what questions you can get through quickly and which you need more time for.
Please get sleep the night before :) You'll thank yourself for it.
Use CodeStepByStep! My favorite part of exam szn was getting on the top charts!