Fifty-two — my 2024

Of all the goals I set in 2023, it seems only passing the IELTS exam went as planned—everything else turned out unexpectedly.

Here's a month-by-month recap of what happened in 2024.

January

• Took the IELTS exam with scores: L8.0, R7.5, W6.5, S5.5. Not satisfied with the speaking score, applied for a remark.
• Didn't score above 90 in either of the two major courses this semester, feeling sad (

February

• Celebrated the Spring Festival locally without traveling.
• Successfully requested an IELTS remark: Speaking score increased from 5.5 to 6.0. Got 1,400 RMB back, moving one step closer to emigrating.

March

• Completed the experimental phase for the Information Security Competition project.
• Implemented a demo of the GMW protocol and met my current graduate advisor.

April

• Spent one week writing the paper corresponding to last month's experiments and submitted it to RAID 2024.
• Completed PA4.

May

• Preparing to dive in, started reading papers related to TEE.
• Collaborating with tiger1218 and misane to prepare for the OS Kernel Design Challenge.

June

• Concerned that Trump's potential re-election might increase risks for studying abroad, and considering that my graduate advisor agreed to offer me a flexible research environment, I decided to forgo studying overseas and declined the opportunity to pursue a master's degree at another domestic university (though I haven't entirely ruled out the possibility of pursuing a PhD abroad).
• Experienced my second episode of depression due to being manipulated by tiger1218, which led me to shift my academic focus from system research to cryptography.
• My RAID paper was rejected, primarily due to poor writing.

July

• Attended the cryptography conference at Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute and the CCF Chip conference with tiger1218, reconnecting with high school OI classmates and university seniors.
• Completed my myopia surgery with a good prognosis.
• Did not advance to the finals of the Information Security Competition's project track, which aligned with my personal expectations.

August

• Decided to cut ties with tiger1218.
• Won the National Third Prize in the OS Kernel Design Challenge.

September

• On-campus postgraduate recommendation process (the three key steps: computer-based test, interview, and system application).
• Preliminary selection of graduation thesis topic.

October

• Sold all stock funds, with a return rate of approximately 12%.
• Completed a full lap of Tianfu Greenway (100km).
• Established the code framework for the graduation project.

November

• Final year project experiments.
• Drafting the initial version of the graduation thesis.

December

• Tried to restart ysyx but realized I no longer had the energy or motivation to continue. Failed the first C-stage defense due to lack of preparation, though I have a chance to retry in two weeks.
• Successfully proposed my graduation thesis topic. My advisor joked that I could aim for an outstanding thesis award.
• Attended a relative's wedding back in my hometown and served as a groomsman.

Final Words

In conclusion, I wish everyone a Happy New Year in 2025!