Looking back on Phase 2, I feel like I really pushed through and came out stronger—especially with Excel and the topics around URL components and social engineering. At first, Excel felt intimidating, but A4 Fun with Functions and A5 More Fun with Functions helped things start to click. It was actually fun seeing how different functions could make organizing data easier and faster.
Out of the three, A6 ended up being my favorite. I enjoyed putting everything I’d learned into action. It was conceptually the easiest, but it took me the longest since there wasn’t any built-in feedback. I had to rely on myself to check my work, which made it more challenging but also more rewarding.
For the D4-style reflection, I picked Chapter 5.7.7 on Excel error messages because it applies directly to my job. We work with shared spreadsheets, and now instead of waiting on someone else to fix an error, I know how to check the issue myself, or decide if it’s okay to ignore. It’s a small shift, but it’s made me more confident and useful at work.
I’m already using what I’ve learned outside of class—whether it’s working more efficiently in Excel or being more cautious with links and emails. It’s been really practical and relevant.
Heading into Phase 3, I’m ready to push myself creatively and not just do what’s required. I want to really take ownership of what I’m learning and see how far I can go with it.
These last two weeks definitely kicked my butt—with the flu, work, and personal life all getting hectic. But I pulled through without falling too far behind. I plan to stay on top of everything, especially the chapters, since those are usually where I tend to fall behind. Staying consistent is going to be key moving forward.
