An Eggs-cellent Way to Plan

The egg drop activity was really fun, and we also learned how to make a plan to avoid cracking our eggs from this activity. In the activity, my team actually went through all steps in the Planning Process.

STEP 1. Define goals and objectives
We knew that our goal was to use straws and masking tape to make an egg- protector device, protecting egg when it was dropped without breaking, in order to get 5 extra credit points on the Test #1. Also, we understood that we needed to build the device within 10 minutes and should not cover over 50% of the surface of the egg with the tape and straws.
STEP 2. Determine resources and current status vis-á-vis objectives
We were not immediately given the materials, so we started designing the structure of the device on a paper. We knew that our materials were very limited, just 8 straws, 2 feet of masking tape, and one scissor which was shared with other groups in the class. In addition, we realized that the straws were not strong enough and the egg was very fragile. Those were the weaknesses. However, we still had strength: there were 3 smaller girls (including me) in our group.
STEP 3. Develop several alternative strategies
We came up several designs of the device. For example, one of the designs was built by 5-6 straws cross together, and the egg would be taped at the intersection, but we found a problem: the straws were too soft that the device could not stand, and we were not able to avoid the possibility of falling on the side after dropping the device that would break the egg. Therefore, we banned it. Then, we had another design which was like a pyramid, and held the egg in the middle of the “pyramid”, so the egg might be protected inside the “pyramid” even if the “pyramid” fell on the side.
STEP 4. Make a tactical plan
We chose to build the “pyramid” as the egg-protector device and knew that we needed some to build the device, someone to draw the final design of the device and one of the smaller girls to drop the device, but we did not clearly allocate the jobs.
STEP 5. Implement the plan and evaluate results
After we got the materials, some took the job to build the device, and one drew the design of device. Because of the limited time—10 minutes, we were in a rush, and we almost ran out of time to build it.

Even though our team lacked the clear allocation of jobs, all of us well knew what our design was. Therefore, we could still make it in time, and, fortunately, our “pyramid” worked effectively to protect the egg not to break. However, if we clearly arrange jobs for each group member to do, it may be more effective.

Biggest Management Problem

This semester I am facing a biggest difficulty in my Accounting course because the Professor of this course speaks really fast without any pauses, and his voice is deep, no pitch, barely with stress. That is difficult for me to notice what the important part of each his sentence is. Since I am a non-native English speaker and not a good notes taker, it makes the situation harder. I do pay so much attention in every lecture and drop down the notes as much as I can, but I know I still miss some of significant terms he teaches. In addition, at the first lecture, he told us his tests and exams are based on his lectures, not the textbook, so his lecture and textbook are somewhere different, and I cannot just read the textbook instead. Therefore, I try hard to find ways managing not to mess up this course.

Right now, in my Management course, I learn the concept of management process which are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. I know the first thing I need to do in order to manage this difficulty is planning, so I come up two plans. First, I plan to found a study group with several classmates. We can share our notes, discuss the questions we have and study together. I think that might be a great help to my problem. Second, I plan to record his lectures because he already gave us the permission to do so. Recording his lectures may give me an opportunity to listen again, and that help me retake the notes which is missing. Then, for the study group, I will start to organize the study group such as finding classmates who are willing to join the group and become the leader of the group to organize and control ourselves, only discussing about the topics related to our study, not chatting. I hope I can overcome this obstacle.

About Me

My name is Ka Yan Leung, but my friends love to call me Ivy. I am kind of outgoing, so I have a lot of hobbies such as playing badminton, watching movies, and shopping with friends. Also, this is my sophomore year at Baruch, and my intended major is Accounting. Therefore, my career goal obviously is to become an accountant.
I chose "Tick" as the name of my blog because "tick" is the sound of clock, and clock can represent time. As a student, I always need to manage my time in an efficient way in order that I can have time for study and also may spend some time with friends for fun. Thus, I have management of time in my daily life.