Final Blog Post – IS101 Journey and Looking Ahead

Hello everyone,

It honestly feels weird that this is already the last blog post for IS101-3005, Spring 2026. This class was definitely different from what I expected at the beginning. I thought it was only going to be basic computer work, but I ended up learning way more than I thought. Besides Microsoft Office skills, I also learned a lot about time management, staying consistent, and not falling behind on assignments 😭. It also helped me realize how important technology skills are in everyday life, school, and future careers.

For my Chapter 6 topic, I chose 6.6.1 SmartArt. SmartArt is one of the coolest features I learned about because it allows users to turn plain information into visual diagrams and graphics. Instead of presenting information as large blocks of text, SmartArt makes it easier to organize ideas visually in a clean and professional way. There are different SmartArt categories such as lists, block processes, cycles, hierarchies, relationships, and pyramids. These designs help make presentations easier to understand and more visually appealing.

I think SmartArt is especially useful for presentations, school projects, business ideas, and even explaining step-by-step processes. Before learning about this feature, I did not realize PowerPoint had tools that could automatically create professional-looking diagrams so quickly. I also like that SmartArt can easily be customized with colors, layouts, and styles to fit different types of presentations.

Preparing for the MOS exams was stressful at times, but all the practice labs and repetition helped a lot. Looking back now, I feel more confident using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint than before taking this class.

I also want to say that Professor Wu made this class very unique compared to other classes I have taken before. The structure of the course, the phases, the blog posts, and the bonus quizzes made the class feel different in a good way. Even though the class could sometimes feel overwhelming, the class pushed me to improve and actually learn useful skills. I appreciate how much effort was put into helping students improve and prepare for certifications. Reading my classmates’ blogs was also interesting because a lot of us were dealing with similar struggles like work, stress, and balancing school with life.

Overall, I am glad I took IS101. It was stressful at times, but it also helped me grow both academically and personally. I learned new technical skills, improved my work habits, and gained more confidence in myself. As the semester comes to an end, I feel proud of how far I have come and excited for what comes next.

Here is the slideshow I created:

Thank you Professor Wu and thank you classmates for making this semester memorable. I hope everyone succeeds in their future classes, careers, and goals.

Good luck everyone!.🙏😊

Making Excel Actually Make Sense

Hello everyone,

This phase was honestly a mix of challenging and interesting at the same time. At first, Excel felt kind of confusing, especially when things didn’t work the way I expected. But I think I handled it well because I didn’t just give up, I kept trying, messing up, and figuring it out.

The A6 Spreadsheet Analysis with Trailer was one of those assignments where you can’t just rush through it. It made me slow down and understand what I was doing instead of just clicking around. It was a bit stressful, but at the same time, I feel like I learned way more because of that.

For Chapter 5.9.2, Excel Tables actually surprised me. I didn’t think something that simple could make such a big difference. Before this, I was just typing data into random cells, but using tables makes everything feel more organized and cleaner. It just makes everything less messy and more professional. So, I use it in my A6 Spreadsheet Analysis to give it a more professional appearance.

Outside of class, this is something I can use in real life, like budgeting, tracking expenses, or even organizing things for school. Since I’m going into cybersecurity, I know I’ll probably deal with a lot of data, so learning how to organize and analyze it now is going to help later. Even the social engineering part made me think more about how people can get tricked online, which is something I’ll keep in mind moving forward.

Going into Phase 3, I feel like this is where I need to step it up. It’s easy to just do what’s required and move on, but I don’t really want to stay at that level. I want to improve and get better, not just pass. That means being more consistent and putting in extra effort even when I don’t have to. If I stay focused and keep pushing myself, I think I can get a lot more out of this class than I expected.

From Clicking Around to Actually Understanding Word

Thinking back on Phase 1 of IS101-3005, I feel like I did pretty solid overall. The early part of the class helped me get more comfortable with Microsoft Word. I realize just by doing LabSim that Word is way deeper than just typing and saving a document. If I could change anything moving forward, I will start practicing sooner instead of waiting until right before quizzes or assignments. I’ll also pay more attention to the bonus quizzes.

One topic from Chapter 4 that really clicked for me was 4.10.4: Table of Contents. Before this class, I honestly didn't even realize what table of contents was or how it worked. Now I realize the heading styles are way to important is more than just a simple headding style above your paragraph. Learning that the table of contents depends entirely on properly using Heading 1, Heading 2 and etc, completely changed how I format documents. It made me see that structure matters just as much as how a document looks. Once you set things up the right way, updating the table of contents is quick and saves a lot of time, especially for longer papers.

For the upcoming MO-110 Word certification exam, my plan is to stay ahead and practice a lot. I have also learned that knowing where things are and how they work together is key for the exam. Now that my History class is almost over I will have more time available for this class so I can prepare more for future IS101 exams.

Overall, I think this class have changed how I see Microsoft Word. It’s easy to think it’s just a basic program everyone already knows, but features like the table of contents show how useful it can be when used properly. For anyone reading this, learning these tools the right way makes your work cleaner, faster, and way less frustrating when working on new projects.

Starting My Journey in Cybersecurity at CSN

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog. My name is Gian Carlos Munoz Poey, and I am currently a student at the College of Southern Nevada pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computing and Information Technology with a focus on Cyber Security–Network Security. I am also working in a full-time job as a Barista at the Harry Reid International Airport. I'm really passionate about technology and problem-solving skills, and I am very excited to share my learning journey, experiences, and growth as I move forward in the IT field.

My first impression of IS101 course has been very positive. I like the way the classes are implemented, that you have multiple resources to learn from so it gives you an amazing learning environment. My professor is very demanding but in a good way, because it makes you think in every single step that you are taking, and focusing on the little details. The course is well planned and does a great job of introducing foundational concepts that are essential for anyone entering the world of information systems. IS101 has given me a better understanding of how technology supports organizations, users and everyday operations.

In Discussion 2, Part 2, the skill I worked on LabSim was 2.1.11 Checking System Requirements. This lab has helped me understand the importance of verifying system compatibility before installing software and running that software effectively or upgrading hardware. In this lab, I checked system specifications in Windows 11 by opening the Settings app, selecting System, and then clicking About. This allowed me to view important details such as the processor type, CPU speed, installed RAM, and operating system version. The lab helped me understand why each requirement is important. The CPU and its speed determine how quickly the system can process instructions, while RAM ensures that programs and simulations run smoothly without slowing down. I also learned that having a 64-bit operating system is essential for compatibility with modern software features. This activity showed me how checking system requirements is a critical skill in IT. Verifying compatibility before installing or running software helps prevent performance issues and errors, making it an essential skill for technicians and IT professionals.

Finally, something else I would like to share is that I feel very motivated about my academic journey. I am especially motivated to pass the MOS certification exams, as they represent an important steppingstone for building my IT career.