Monica Wei

The first official week of class has been quite an experience.
Let me start with the courses. Although the course is titled Introduction to Computer Information Systems, it actually includes two parts: IT and college-level math (essentially algebra), making it feel like two courses combined into one.

The course is divided into seven units over 14 weeks—one unit every two weeks. During each two-week unit, we take two math quizzes, one IT unit quiz, and complete two IT assignments. At the end of the semester, there’s a closed-book final exam that lasts three hours. To complete all these graded tasks, we need to work through a good amount of reading and video material.

At first, I was honestly a bit overwhelmed because it was not at all what I had expected. For instance, this week we’re learning about computer hardware systems, and next week we’ll move on to software systems—together they make up the first unit. That framework made sense to me, but the actual content turned out to be much deeper and more difficult than I imagined. It’s not just a basic introduction like “what components make up a computer” or “what do they do.” Instead, everything is built from the ground up, with a strong emphasis on underlying logic. You’re expected to understand why things are the way they are, how each component operates, and how they all work together. Every detail is explained step by step, often with the help of diagrams and flowcharts—it really feels like peeling back the layers to see the full structure.

What I also appreciate is the focus on key concepts rather than trivial details. For example, when we studied hardware, we went in-depth on the CPU, main memory and cache, buses, pipelining, and how control flow is handled through exceptions and interrupts.

Even the math section isn’t like the high school math I was once confident in. Instead of focusing on calculations, it puts more emphasis on properties of numbers and their applications in computing. Along with rational numbers, fractions, and absolute values, we’re learning about binary numbers and binary operations or functions, which are entirely new concepts for me. I had to spend extra time digging into these, but I actually like how this course focuses more on logic, structure, and practical understanding, rather than theory for theory’s sake.

Since it’s the first week, we were also asked to introduce ourselves in the class discussion. I originally thought this would just be a couple of sentences, but it turned out many classmates gave very detailed introductions about their academic and professional backgrounds, where they live, their families, and hobbies. So I wrote a long paragraph too—though I didn’t share too many personal details and focused instead on my education, work experience, and why I need to take this course. (I’ll post my self-introduction separately in the end.)

To my surprise, many of my classmates, like me, are here as a prerequisite for the Health Informatics master’s program. Some are doctors, and some even hold PhDs. Honestly, I felt a bit out of my league!

We also had to complete an academic integrity training and quiz, which was a good reminder of how seriously academic honesty is taken here. There may also be other kinds of notifications and messages. You need to log in every day to check them.

Because everything is so new, this first week felt especially hectic and intense. My sleep has been disrupted—physically I’m exhausted, but my brain just won’t shut down. I think it’s all due to the pressure and feelings of uncertainty. So I’m telling myself: I need to find balance and learn to manage this better.

Now that the week is coming to an end, I’m starting to feel more grounded. I have a better idea of how everything works and how to manage my time: how to schedule readings, assignments, and quizzes day by day.

One big advantage of online learning is that it gives me full control over my schedule. I can watch the lecture videos or read the online material as many times as I need, which really helps reinforce the material. And if I have any questions, I can easily reach out to the facilitator—super convenient.

As for the math part, although its logic and focus are a bit different from what I’ve studied before, most of the concepts are still familiar. The difficulty is manageable and doesn’t require too much time. So I’ve decided to treat math as a supplement to the IT content, rather than an equal workload. That shift in mindset has already made things feel a bit easier.

Right now, the most important thing for me is to calm my mind, fix my sleep, and organize my time well. If I can do that, I know I’ll be able to stay in control.

Now it is my self-introduction time.

Hi everyone! My name is Monica. This course is a prerequisite for my online Master’s program in Health Informatics. I’m transitioning into a brand-new field, and I’m excited to begin this journey.

I’m originally from China and moved to the U.S. in 2020. Since then, I’ve been living in Missouri with my family. Back in China, I studied the humanities and majored in Art History, graduating in 2008. I worked in the arts field for a few years in Nanjing and Beijing. After moving to the U.S., I realized it was difficult to find stable arts-related jobs, especially in small towns. That’s when I decided to shift my career path.

I worked in a factory warehouse for three years. Although I was appreciated there, I knew it wasn’t my long-term goal. I’ve always wanted to earn a master’s degree from a top U.S. university and pursue a more meaningful and stable career. Health Informatics has been on my mind for years, and now I’m finally taking the first step.

This is my first time taking an online course, and I’m excited! Online education and remote work are becoming the norm, and BU’s strong reputation in online learning gives me confidence. I’m truly grateful to be part of this class, and I look forward to learning from Instructor Cindy and collaborating with all of you. I’m committed to mastering this prerequisite, and I believe that with determination, enthusiasm, and your support, I can overcome any challenge.

Also, English is not my first language, and I’m still working on improving it. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.