System Thinking

As is mentioned by the professor, a system is an assemblage of components, interacting for a certain purpose. Alike, system thinking is a process of attaining some idea through the assemblage of possibilities and factors, which are always there and playing some significant roles on one another. Also, the course of system thinking is equipped with a clear purpose, too.



Thinking itself can be aimless and useless, if without some principle properties. So how can we apply these to the process of thinking? What should we own when we’re carrying out system thinking?



First of all, we must take what we’re considering and working on as a whole, which is the leading principle. All the components are individuals and have their unique properties, which may distract themselves from the whole. But in reality, these units are not separated at all, so they have relationships with others and must be associated with them when we’re solving some problems. If not, the system thinking won’t be integrated and in this way, something would be unintentionally neglected, such as the interaction between sections, or the potential causes-and-effects.



Once we’ve set a basic ground, the next key is our accurate way of doing it. After bearing the principle above in mind, we can divide the whole safely to solve problems one after another, so as to conquer the whole more efficiently. As in different parts, difficulties vary, which leads to hard work of separating the problems and at the same time, taking their interactions into account. The best way of eating up an elephant is dividing the mission into applicable size, and doing it. So it is with the system problem thinking. Once they are comparatively tiny, we can make it much more efficiently. At that time, our ability is urgently in need, which requires us to improve ourselves and gain better quality. And the last step to do is to gather the units, reminding ourselves the key relationships at all time. Then the tough thinking process is done, in a better way!



The third thing to see to is our solid aim. The system can’t be solved in a short term, so something, discouraging us from the original belief, will emerge. We must fix on the originally set purpose, because any subtle change in the main body will act significantly on the whole. But when we’ve fixed our attention on one topic, we can do it more attentively, and can avoid the outside interference to a greater extent.



Last but not least, we should improve the system from time to time. Because in the course of thinking, some afflatus emerges, which can lead to unexpected improvements to the whole system. And also, we should get the feedback and search for ideas from all aspects, as long as they can do something to the system.



The system thinking is not plain at all. It requires so much, including our maintenance of refreshing thoughts all the time. From some of my engineering learning, I can also get some of the ideas.



As a year 1 student, not exposed to so much yet, I just cite my programming experience here. When programming, we should firstly find the key purpose of the program, and think about the main structures of it. After that, we cite functions, the method called”divide-and-conquer”, which explains the division of the whole. Functions are effective to dispose some steps, and can be examined much faster when error occurs. Finally we invoke the functions in the main body, smoothly solve the whole problem at last.



In this process, we take it as a whole in mind all the time, although they’re solved separately. It can be imagined if we start from the beginning and do it without any division, the work is hard, for we must look for what we’ve claimed and check the previous programming all the time!



System thinking is a subtle thing, for there’s much more to be dug from it.

Innovation

In senior high school, we always took a bag with us. Sometimes it’s too dull to take it only as a bag to carry books.
Last time I went out for a camp, it was inconvenient to carry a pillow, so I dropped the idea to take it with me. When the time for sleep came, I put some clothes in my bag, and rest my head on it for a whole night. Excluding the rather little size, everything was satisfying.
So I’ve been considering it for a long time, that is, make a multiplied-used bag.
There’re too many choices, so I just list a few.
It can be originally designed as a pillow.
Firstly add a second layer into the bag, which is inside it and is made of a kind of material which can be cleaned more effectively. And a small-sized air-bumper is also needed, to make the inside layer Inflatable. What’s significant is the bag shouldn’t be air-leaking, so it’s a must to adopt air-sealing technology. After such a bag is made, the only thing to do before sleeping is to turn the inside layer out, let it inflate, and rest on it. And what should be mentioned is that the bag is aimed for outside-going, so there’s no problem with the size.
One may ask, ’So what’s the point for this innovation?’ From my point of view, we should reduce the weight and size of articles when going out. Especially when going to some place far and dangerous. So although this is a slight step, it’ll work.
Next we can adopt something elastic to make the bag. Because we can thus reduce the size of it to the largest extent and save much energy to consider eliminating articles.
Then it’s important to remain the setting for men’s health. Two or more straps are required to be fit for our physical condition. It’ll be better to add an air cushion at the back, for it directly strikes our backs and may cause hurt.
Finally, we can use resin to design zips and all originally metal parts. For the specific heat of metal is too low, and sometimes in a very condition we can’t touch them directly, which may cause much inconvenience. Resin are much lighter especially in the in the low load-bearing situation.
A bag can combine many advantages. Comparing to its little size, it can do more things then we can imagine as long as designed in a proper way. The above are just under its slightest function. More designs can be applied to it and so can add its value to a significant extent.

A Research on Myself

PART I
Definition of SWOT:
S: strength strong attribute or inherent asset
W: weakness a fault in someone's character or in a system, organization, design etc
O: opportunity good chance for advancement or progress
T: threat something that is regarded as a possible danger


PART II A Research on Myself
After the research, I’ve conducted more self-insight than before and had a clearer view of myself.
The SWOT consists of 4 parts, to present them one by one:

S: strengths.
I’m always a curious, thoughtful person and I have an inquiring mind. Thanks to these characteristics, I can absorb more completely new information with my efforts. Sometimes something new is not so easy to get across, and then it’s time for me to apply my thoughts to it. I’ve always held that diligence can cover the lack of intelligence. And as intelligence comes from diligence and thoughts, I believe that, with such kind of strengths, I can build up my intelligence and get accustomed to various fields in the coming future.

W: weaknesses:
As a comparatively shy girl, sometimes I still lack the courage to show myself without any extended fear in front a large audience. I believe that I can solve some academic problems with my continuous hard work and effort, but I wonder whether I can overcome such inner-characteristic weaknesses through work. Sometimes this kind of disposition made me think of too much before I did something significant and so it made me lose quantities of opportunities. I’m fully aware of it, and I’m trying to improve myself to a larger extent.

O: opportunities:
After coming here, I find that there are so much precious resources hidden everywhere. There are various lectures, workshops, societies, etc.
Various professors specified in kinds of fields hold various lectures, through which they can extend their thoughts and outstanding insight. Societies are organized for different types of activities, such as service and self-enhancing. These societies provide us with a wide range of choices to get exposed to the outside world, and thus not to be a bookish guy.
These are all opportunities which we can catch hold of. In order to develop self-conscious and outstanding abilities, we undergraduates should take part in them in our leisure time.
Always there are many opportunities for us to enhance myself, and they can help us overcome many cultural differences and academic problems. These opportunities are there, but not always waiting for someone to take advantage of them. Sometimes the opportunities are just like lightning, and they need our concentration and courage to grasp them.

T: threats:
As a new comer to this city, I should first overcome the obstacle of cultural difference. Changing a long time’s habit is not that easy, but it’s a must. To achieve this, continuous hard work is a required. And I should always be confident to face up to all dissimilar changes.
Next to come is the most significant factor in the coming four years’ time, life and study. Here so many excellent students from all over the world gather to compete with others. They all own specific methods of learning and unique ways to live colorful lives. What they’ll give us is not only joyful leisure time, but also threat of all aspects.
Those who come here to study are all but easy to give up, so they own similar conscious as me, which will stimulate them to study concentratively. And in return, I’ll never be frightened to hold back, for threats also drive me to do more.

The SWOT research made me more conscious of myself, thus I can find some solutions fitted for myself only. As a freshman, I should maintain the firmly-held ambition of achieving success, and should carry on all the time. No matter what threats will come to me, I can use my strengths to fight against them. Similarly, my weaknesses will fade away one day, as long as I grab more opportunities to train myself.